Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     Four filmmakers from Hong Kong joined an opening night reception in San Francisco on July 12 (San Francisco time) in honour of their works being presented in the ninth Hong Kong Cinema. Two new directors, Jun Li and Lee Cheuk-pan, along with cast members of "G Affairs" Hanna Chan and Kyle Li, attended.

     This year's Hong Kong Cinema, presented by SFFILM in association with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco (HKETO SF), runs from July 12 to 14 (San Francisco time). A total of seven Hong Kong movies are being screened at the New People Cinema and the Roxie Theater. 

     This year's line-up offers a selection that traverses many genres. Alongside a madcap comedy about a search for breast milk and a portray of a transgender character at the heart of "Tracey" to the sexual awakening of the protagonist of "The Lady Improper", the 2019 selection demonstrates the region's risk-taking and forward-thinking fare, according to SFFILM Senior Programmer Mr Rod Armstrong.

     At the opening night reception, the Director of HKETO SF, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, thanked SFFILM for its continued support of Hong Kong's emerging talents. He welcomed the attendance of two new directors, Jun Li and Lee Cheuk-pan, as well as Hanna Chan and Kyle Li.

     "Tracey" opened this year's program and is the directorial debut of Jun Li. "G Affairs" by Lee Cheuk-pan is a winning project of the 3rd First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI) and received funding support through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Film Development Fund.

     "The FFFI is one of the Government's initiatives to help identify and nurture new talent, as well as provide financial support for new directors and their film production teams to make their first feature films," Mr Chang said.

     HKETO SF has been supporting Hong Kong's creative industry by promoting Hong Kong films and its home-grown talents to the US audience through film festivals in the western part of the United States. Hong Kong Cinema is a programme solely dedicated to Hong Kong movies. In addition to "Tracey" and "G Affairs", this year's line-up features "Hotel Soul Good", "Missbehavior", "Men on the Dragon", "The Lady Improper" and "The Attorney".

      

     Starting from June this year, a large number of public events were held at various locations in Hong Kong. Although most of them were conducted in a generally orderly manner, a large group of radical protestors violently charged the Police cordon line and attacked Police officers shortly after the public events concluded, turning the scenes into very chaotic and dangerous situation. Violent protests seriously undermine the rule of law.  The Police, with the mission of upholding the law of Hong Kong, would definitely stand at the forefront to maintain public safety and order.

     Same as in the past, Police officers facilitated the participants in expressing their views during the public procession in Sha Tin yesterday (July 14) afternoon.   However, upon arrival at Yuen Wo Road, participants refused to follow the pre-agreed route and started blocking the roads in the vicinity of Sha Tin Rural Committee Road and Yuen Wo Road.    

     Afterwards, a large group of people unlawfully assembled along Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Yuen Wo Road and Wang Pok Street. Equipment including helmets and goggles was distributed premeditatedly among protestors in a short period of time. Some protestors pried up bricks from pavements, stocked up considerable number of iron poles and other offensive weapons, demolished the railings nearby, and blocked the roads by railings and other miscellaneous objects.

     Meanwhile, a group of violent protestors deliberately attacked Police officers and charged Police cordon lines with different materials including traffic cones and unknown powder. At around 7.50pm, in order to swiftly prevent the situation from deteriorating, Police repeatedly urged the protestors to leave as soon as possible. Other members of the public not involved in the protest were also advised to pay attention to personal safety and not to take part in any illegal act.   At around 8.30pm, Police further warned the protestors to leave immediately or else force would be used. Police dispersal action at around 9pm followed, intending to make the protesters leave in the direction of Sha Tin Railway Station as soon as possible.

     After most of the protesters left, some violent protestors hurled bricks, umbrellas and hemlets at the Police on the platform of shopping arcades near Wang Pok Street and its vicinity, posing serious threats to the safety of Police officers and members of the public. Police officers entered the arcades and their platforms to stop their violent behaviour. While Police officers entered the arcades, the officers were repeatedly and actively attacked by protestors and miscellaneous objects were continuously thrown from height. Police thus deployed appropriate force to arrest violent protesters.

     The dispersal action concluded at around 12am today (July 15). During the operation, Police arrested 47 persons, including 29 men and 18 women, for offences including unlawful assembly, assaulting police officers, obstructing police officers and possession of offensive weapon. Among the 13 police officers sent to hospital for treatment, five officers are still admitted.

     The aim of Police enforcement is to maintain law and order and uphold the rule of law. Police will conduct active investigation into the recent violent acts and take enforcement actions to bring those responsible to justice.

     Police today (July 15) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in North Point.  

     Wong Tsun, aged 87, went missing after he was last seen on Lau Li Street near Electric Road yesterday (July 14) afternoon. His family made a report to Police today.

     He is about 1.57 metres tall, 59 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short greyish-white hair. He was last seen wearing a grey polo shirt, black long trousers, black shoes, carrying a black waist bag and a white plastic bag.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1040 or 9886 0034 or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
     
 

  

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs and the Department of Health (DH) conducted a joint operation and raided a medical centre in Tsim Sha Tsui on July 12. A total of 162 boxes of suspected counterfeit vaccines and 163 boxes of vaccines containing Part 1 poison with an estimated market value of about $750,000 in total were seized.

     The DH earlier received a complaint alleging the use of a suspected problematic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine by a medical centre and conducted a joint investigation with Customs. After preliminary investigation with the assistance of the trademark owner, officers from Customs and the DH conducted joint enforcement action on July 12 and raided a medical centre located at a commercial building in Tsim Sha Tsui where the suspected counterfeit vaccines and vaccines containing Part 1 poison were seized. Samples of the vaccines will be sent to the Government Laboratory for analysis.

     A 35-year-old female director and two female staff members of the medical centre, aged 27 and 30, were arrested.

     Investigations by Customs and the DH are ongoing.

     Customs reminds consumers to select reputable medical centres with care and verify with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a vaccine is in doubt. Customs also reminds registered healthcare professionals to be cautious and prudent in merchandising of vaccines since the possession of counterfeit goods for any trade or business is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     The DH urged members of the public who have felt unwell after receiving HPV vaccines to seek advice from healthcare professionals. According to the recommendation of the World Health Organization, the primary target group for cervical cancer vaccination is young women aged 9 to 14 years prior to becoming sexually active. Members of the public who have doubts on whether they should vaccinate or receive booster vaccines are advised to consult healthcare professionals. In addition, registered healthcare professionals should only procure registered pharmaceutical products from licensed wholesale dealers.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.