Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (June 7). They are, on Hong Kong Island, Heep Hong Society; in Kowloon, the Hong Kong Award for Young People; and in the New Territories, Tin Shui Wai Women Association Limited, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.

     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people to distinguish among the three flag-selling activities.    

     Information on the three flag-selling organisations on June 7 is as follows:
 

 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     â€‹The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 6) that a life-saving attendant at the swimming pool of San Francisco Towers, located at 29-35 Ventris Road, Happy Valley, is suspected of using a fraudulent life-saving attendant certificate. As the qualification of the life-saving attendant is in doubt and the swimming pool has allegedly failed to provide a sufficient number of qualified life-saving attendants as required by law, the department has ordered the immediate closure of the pool and is considering prosecuting its licensee. The incident has been reported to the Police, and the FEHD has also notified the Property Management Services Authority to take parallel follow-up action.

     Officers from the FEHD today verified a batch of lifeguard records with the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society, and discovered that the credentials of a life-saving attendant on duty at the aforementioned swimming pool on June 4 did not match the records of the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society. The FEHD immediately took action regarding the pool.

     The FEHD has implemented a series of enhancement measures from May 19 to further prevent the employment of unqualified life-saving attendants at private swimming pools. During May, the FEHD officers conducted inspections at 713 licensed swimming pools and verified the qualifications of 1 041 life-saving attendants with the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society. Apart from the suspected case of fraudulent certification discovered today, no other irregularities regarding suspected employment of unqualified life-saving attendants have been identified by the FEHD.

     The FEHD will continue to implement the relevant measures straightly to enhance the safety standards of licensed swimming pools and safeguard the safety of swimming pool users. Members of the public are called on to take part in the monitoring and report suspected cases of irregularities to the department.

     â€‹In response to overseas reports suggesting that Haribo candies may be contaminated and tested positive for cannabis, a government spokesperson stated today (June 6) that the Government Laboratory has completed the test on 58 samples of Haribo candy products that had already been removed from shelves. The results showed that none of the samples contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabis component. The relevant traders have been informed of the test results.

     Upon receiving relevant information, the Centre for Food Safety (the Centre) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department contacted local food traders and consulted authorities in the Netherlands. The affected batch of products was not imported into Hong Kong, but for prudence sake, the Centre had previously informed the trade to temporarily remove the brand's candies from shelves.

     The government will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate actions as needed.

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner this evening (June 6):

Consul General (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe), Alain (President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong, Mr Alain Li), friends from the French business community, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Bonsoir. Good evening. Thank you for the kind invitation to join you at this splendid gala dinner. It is a real pleasure to be here with so many friends from the French business community in Hong Kong. Tonight is more than a celebration. It is a testament to the deep and enduring resonance between Hong Kong and France.

     For many years, the French Chamber in Hong Kong has served as a bridge between our two economies, well beyond just business. From organising the Smart City Forum, to supporting signature events like French GourMay, you have contributed to closer co-operation and deeper friendship between our two peoples. Your efforts are truly appreciated. 

     Indeed, the ties between Hong Kong and France are strong and wide-ranging. In business and trade, we are trusted partners. Look at how French products are loved here in Hong Kong. From Bordeaux and Burgundy wines, cosmetics, designer fashion, handbags to sportswear, French elegance is everywhere in this city. 

     With the growing affluence of the Greater Bay Area and across the Mainland and the Asian region, I believe there is tremendous potential for French products to expand their presence. The appetite for French quality, craftsmanship and style is strong in this region. 

     With our strategic location, connections and deep understanding of these markets, Hong Kong is the ideal base to bring your ambitions to life. I'm heartened to see a rising number of French businesses establishing their presence here. As of last year, some 360 French companies call Hong Kong home, many serving as regional headquarters. 

     Let me assure you that Hong Kong remains firmly committed to open markets and free trade, despite rising protectionism and geo-economic fragmentation. We continue to offer a predictable, transparent and pro-business environment. One that best connects the opportunities in this part of the world with businesses from Europe.

     At the same time, with China being the largest Asian investor in France, Hong Kong has a unique and strategic role to play: as a conduit channeling Mainland investments into France, and as a springboard for Mainland companies going to Europe.

     Ladies and gentlemen, our partnership with France is not only growing in scale, but also in depth and diversity. French technologies and expertise have long contributed to Hong Kong's development in such areas as waste management, smart mobility, energy efficiency and construction engineering. 

     And new frontiers of co-operation are emerging, especially in the area of innovation and technology. With your innovation prowess and a vibrant startup ecosystem, France is actually one of the top sources of start-up founders in Hong Kong. And we are seeing more exchanges and collaboration. Following your participation in our InnoEX in April, I'm pleased to note that 20 Hong Kong start-ups, engaging in AI, biotech, green tech and fintech, will showcase their solutions at VivaTech's Hong Kong Pavilion next week. 

     Another exciting area of collaboration is aviation. A French company, which is a global leader in aeronautical services, will establish facilities in Hong Kong for aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and manpower training. This will support our vision to become a regional centre for aircraft parts processing and trading.

     Beyond business, our affiliations are brought to life through people-to-people connections. In the first five months of this year, we welcomed over 64 000 French visitors, a 9 per cent increase compared to last year. Each visit, each exchange, adds to the vibrant tapestry of friendship between our communities.

     These bonds will be enriched and sustained through arts, culture, sport and culinary delights. French creativity, elegance and excellence continue to inspire us here in Hong Kong. And we are equally delighted that Hong Kong's films and arts enjoy a good following in France. 

     We all eagerly look forward to more interactions. This July, our brand-new Kai Tak Sports Park will host a game featuring the Europa League champion. Yes, we want better. We're hoping to host the Champions League winner here some time soon. Or perhaps even Les Blues themselves.

     Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate this evening of friendship and partnership, let's enjoy the fine food, wine and champagne, and most of all, the good company. Once again, I thank the French Chamber for organising this dinner. Merci beaucoup. Thank you very much.

    

     A man who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan has been located.
 
     Yu Wai-hung, aged 70, went missing after he was last seen in a hospital on Princess Margaret Hospital Road yesterday (June 5) afternoon. Staff of his caring home made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located in a sports ground on Hing Shing Rd, Kwai Chung this afternoon (June 6). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.