The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, in Luxembourg yesterday (July 13, Luxembourg time) continued to attend the Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

     In the morning, Mr Chan attended an AIIB seminar on connectivity and co-operation between Asia and Europe and held a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Mr Liu Kun.

     Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to the Central Government for its long-standing support for Hong Kong in making good use of its status as an international financial centre in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative. He said that the Hong Kong SAR Government will fully participate in and contribute to the development of the Initiative.

     He added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to encourage the Mainland and other Belt and Road economies to leverage on Hong Kong's strengths, and the Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will remain committed in promoting financing and investments of infrastructure projects.

     Mr Chan also said that the Hong Kong SAR Government welcomed the Ministry of Finance's issuance of Renminbi (RMB) sovereign bonds in the city, as this reinforces Hong Kong's status as the global offshore RMB business hub.

     In addition, both sides exchanged views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland on the finance front, implementation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Hong Kong's participation in AIIB's work.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan joined an AIIB Governors' Official Session, followed by a meeting with the AIIB President, Mr Jin Liqun. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong will continue to play a proactive role in the AIIB.

     Mr Chan will depart for Hong Kong today (July 14, Luxembourg time) and will land in the afternoon on July 15 (Hong Kong time).

      

     52 electors (0.56 per cent) voted in the first hour of the Yuen Long District Council San Tin Constituency by-election which opened at 7.30am today (July 14). (The voter turnout figures are only for temporary reference.)

     Two polling stations, located at Tun Yu School, San Tin, Yuen Long, New Territories and St. Gavriel Kindergarten, 1 San Wai Tsuen, San Tin, Yuen Long, New Territories will remain open until 10.30pm today for 9 208 registered electors in the constituency to cast their votes.

     A dedicated polling station has been set up at Yuen Long Police Station, 246 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories for electors in the San Tin Constituency who are remanded or detained by law enforcement agencies other than the Correctional Services Department (CSD) to cast their votes. The polling hours are from 7.30am to 10.30pm.

     Electors in the constituency who are imprisoned or remanded in the CSD's custody can cast their votes at five dedicated polling stations set up at their respective penal institutions. For security reasons, the polling hours are from 9am to 4pm.

     The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, Commission members Mr Arthur Luk, SC, and Professor Fanny Cheung, will visit the polling station this morning.

     "Electors are advised to cast their votes as early as possible and read carefully the address of the designated polling station on their poll cards indicating where they should cast their votes," a spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office said.

     "Electors must bring the original of their Hong Kong identity card or other specified alternative documents to the designated polling station to collect their ballot papers to cast votes. Voting is very simple. Electors must use the chop provided by the polling stations to stamp the ballot paper with a tick in the circle opposite the name of the chosen candidate, and fold the ballot paper inward in half before putting it into the ballot box," he said.

     Once the poll is closed, the polling stations at the Tun Yu School and St. Gavriel Kindergarten will be converted into counting stations. The public will be able to watch the vote counting within the designated area at the counting stations.

     To protect the secrecy of votes, the ballot boxes at the dedicated polling stations will be delivered to the counting station at the Tun Yu School for opening after the close of polling. The ballot papers concerned will be mixed with the ballot papers cast at the Tun Yu School before counting.

     The election result will be announced at the counting station at the Tun Yu School.

     An election hotline (2891 1001) is in service until 11pm to answer enquiries relating to the by-election.

     A complaints hotline (2827 7251) is also in operation until 11pm to handle complaints about breaches of electoral rules or guidelines.

     The two candidates contesting San Tin Constituency by-election are Man Ka-koy (No. 1) and Man Ka-ho Donald (No. 2). 
 
   For the Shap Pat Heung West Constituency of the Yuen Long District Council, as there is only one validly nominated candidate, Leung Fuk-yuen, the candidate was declared by the Returning Officer on June 21 as being duly elected as an elected member for the above constituency at the by-election in accordance with section 39(1) of the District Councils Ordinance (Cap. 547). Registered electors in the Shap Pat Heung West Constituency do not have to vote today.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 14) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lo So Shing Beach, Pui O Beach, Upper Cheung Sha Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach and Tong Fuk Beach in Islands District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 14) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:
 
     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade and providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should rest in a cool or shady place and drink water immediately. They should also inform their supervisors to take appropriate actions.