The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will hold a dog inoculation campaign at various fishing ports in Hong Kong. Fishermen can have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and microchipped and the licences renewed.
 
     AFCD mobile vaccination teams will visit the following fishing ports according to the schedule below:
 
Aberdeen              　January 9
Sam Mun Tsai           January 10
Sha Tau Kok             January 15
Sai Kung                  January 16
Shau Kei Wan      　  January 16
Castle Peak              January 17
Cheung Chau     ã€€   January 21
 
     The half-yearly dog inoculation campaign was launched in 1980 with the aim of providing a licensing renewal and rabies vaccination service for dogs kept by fishermen who work on board fishing vessels most of the time. The vaccination teams will visit the fishing ports from 10am to 3pm. A fee of $80 will be charged for each dog. To date, more than 7 300 vaccinations have been given to dogs on fishing vessels.
 
     An AFCD spokesman said that the service is one of the proactive measures to prevent rabies, a fatal disease that is transmitted to humans from animals. Dogs on board vessels that have visited overseas countries may have come in contact with other animals carrying diseases, making them more susceptible to rabies infection.
 
     "Although Hong Kong has been free from animal rabies since 1987, we must remain vigilant to prevent any possible outbreak," the spokesman said.
 
     Under the Rabies Ordinance, all dogs aged over 5 months must be vaccinated against rabies, licensed and microchipped. Dogs have to be revaccinated against rabies and their licences have to be renewed at intervals not exceeding three years. Dog owners who fail to do so are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000.

     A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur in Hong Kong in the small hours of January 11 (Saturday). As the elevation of the moon will be rather high during the eclipse, the event can be best observed at most places with an unobstructed view towards the west to northwest if weather permits.
 
     The eclipse will begin at 1.05am and end at 5.15am, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 3.10am. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon only enters the penumbra of the Earth but not the umbra. During the event, the moon will become slightly dimmer.
 
     Details of the penumbral lunar eclipse are set out in the following table:
 

 
     For the latest weather conditions and the astronomical observation conditions on January 11, please refer to the nine-day weather forecast issued by the Hong Kong Observatory (www.hko.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm) and the Weather Information for Astronomical Observation webpage (www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/astronomy/astro_portal.html).
      
     The next lunar eclipse observable in Hong Kong will occur on June 6 this year. It will be a penumbral lunar eclipse.

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to the Hong Kong Open. The prestigious golf event had been postponed earlier and will now be held from January 9 to 12.
 
     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Karl Kwok, said today (January 2) that this event, like all "M" Mark events, adds colour and vibrancy to Hong Kong and provides an opportunity for the general public to enjoy high-level competition.
 
     "'M' Mark events reinforce Hong Kong's position as the events capital of Asia," Mr Kwok said.
 
     "'M' Mark events also help generate economic benefits for Hong Kong by attracting tourists. They instil a sustainable sporting culture in the community and help foster social cohesion," he added.
 
     The "M" Mark System was launched in 2004 to help local national sports associations organise more major sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some event organisers.
 
     The number of recognised "M" Mark events increased from four in 2005 to 15 in 2019. So far, around $184.61 million has been approved to support recognised "M" Mark events.
 
     For details of other "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.

     The Government announced today (January 2) the appointments of Mr Jimmy Lai Chi-ming and Dr Lin Yong to the Board of Directors of the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) for a term from January 2, 2020, to January 16, 2021.
 
     Announcing the appointments, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, said, "The new appointees possess extensive experience and expertise in the financial services industry. I am confident that they will provide valuable input to the FSDC in the delivery of its work objectives." Mr Lau also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing member, Ms Bonnie Y Chan, whose appointment ended on January 1, 2020, for her contribution to the FSDC over the past years.
 
     The FSDC was established in 2013 by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government as a high-level, cross-sectoral advisory body to engage the industry in formulating proposals to promote the further development of Hong Kong's financial services industry and to map out the strategic direction for development. The FSDC has been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee with effect from September 2018 to allow it to better discharge its functions with more flexibility. 
 
     The membership list of the Board of Directors of the FSDC with effect from January 2, 2020, is as follows:
 
Chairman
———–
Mr Laurence Li Lu-jen, SC
 
Members (16)
———–
Dr Au King-lun
Ms Diana Cesar
Ms Lena Chan
Mr Mark Dickens
Ms Ding Chen
Mr Henry Fan Hung-ling
Mr Glenn Fok
Dr Hu Zhanghong
Mr Christopher Hui Ching-yu
Mr Jimmy Lai Chi-ming *
Mr Brian Li Man-bun
Dr Lin Yong *
Mr Joe Ngai
Mr Andrew Walter Bougourd Ross Weir
Ms Winnie Wong Chi-shun
Mr Stephen Wong Yuen-shan
 
Ex-officio member
———————
Mr James Lau (in the capacity as Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury)
 
* newly-appointed members

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.