Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the French National Day 2019 reception today (July 12).
 
Consul General (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Alexandre Giorgini), Commissioner Song (Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Song Ru'an), ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. I am most honoured to join you all this evening to celebrate the French National Day. This year also marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and China. With French President Macron visiting Mainland China last year and President Xi visiting France this March, the bilateral relations between the two nations will expand further and create boundless opportunities for business and people of both sides.
 
     Hong Kong's strategic location at the centre of Asia, our status as an international financial centre, our deep pool of professional talents and our extensive international trade networks make Hong Kong an ideal partner of French businesses to jointly tap the vast market offered by our motherland. That is why more than 9 per cent of the total merchandise trade between France and Mainland China last year was routed through Hong Kong. Last year, that added up to US$5.6 billion.
 
     Indeed, Hong Kong and France have all along enjoyed a splendid bilateral relationship. France is Hong Kong's fourth largest trading partner in the European Union and 16th largest merchandise trading partner in the world. Last year, our bilateral trade reached US$11.3 billion, representing an increase of 2.4 per cent over 2017.
 
     French wine has certainly acted as an active catalyst for such a buoyant relationship. It accounted for 65 per cent of our total wine imports last year. In value, French wine imports realised more than US$1 billion, representing nearly 10 per cent year-on-year growth.
 
     Beyond food and beverage companies, luxury fashion and retailing, banking and finance, transport and logistics, pharmaceuticals, technology, insurance and many other French sectors and industries are thriving here. Indeed, more than 600 French companies call Hong Kong home. Among them, some 170 have chosen Hong Kong as the base of their regional headquarters or regional offices.
 
     Our links are not confined to trade and business. Currently, the 20 000-strong French community in Hong Kong is the largest in Asia. French culture has already become a part of Hong Kong's cosmopolitan culture. Just over two weeks ago, Le French May successfully completed another festive season in Hong Kong. Some 700 000 people attended more than 120 arts and cultural events brought to brilliant life by 350 performers from France, Hong Kong and Macao during this annual cultural highlight in Asia's world city.
 
     The innovative spirit of France, as the Consul General highlighted, is alive and flourishing in Hong Kong. In March 2016, French Tech Hong Kong, the official online hub of the French tech ecosystem, was launched in Hong Kong to facilitate access by French entrepreneurs to the local ecosystem and make the French tech community more visible on the Hong Kong tech scene. The partnership in advancing science and technology collaboration is further boosted by the tripartite partnership among the University of Hong Kong, Institut Pasteur and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation established in June 2018 for setting up a joint biomedical research centre for immunology, infection and personalised medicine.
 
     French companies are also active in innovation, technology and start-up businesses in Hong Kong. The fourth edition of "So French So Innovative" was successfully held in April this year to present top French companies with international presence such as Schneider Electric, Suez and Renault, as well as young small- and medium-size enterprises and start-ups, showcasing expertise and dynamism in terms of "creative tech that works". In 2018, Hong Kong recorded over 2 600 innovation and technology start-ups, an 18 per cent increase over 2017. About 35 per cent of these start-ups are founded by overseas entrepreneurs or returnees to Hong Kong. I am most pleased to note that French entrepreneurs account for over 7 per cent of the total foreign start-up founders in Hong Kong. I look forward to seeing more French companies connect and excel in Hong Kong.
 
     French excellence is also evidenced by its quality education. The French International School, which began in 1963, now counts four campuses with over 2 700 students in Hong Kong. Last November, the French Minister of State and our Chief Executive jointly opened the new French International School in Tseung Kwan O campus since they met at Airbus Helicopters in France in June 2018. The impressive new campus focuses on sustainable development in both design and philosophy. 
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, we just celebrated the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). During the past 22 years since Hong Kong returned to our motherland, Hong Kong has experienced some changes, ups and downs, in the political, economic and social spheres. Yet, Hong Kong has remained steadfast, stable and prosperous. Backed by our country and open to the world, Hong Kong has continued to leverage its unique advantages under "one country, two systems". Under "one country", Hong Kong has benefited from the country's reform and opening up and has enjoyed greater room for growth and development in social, economic and livelihood areas. On "two systems", after our return to the motherland, Hong Kong is still internationally recognised as one of the freest economies in the world, with basic rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people fully protected by the Basic Law. 
 
     As in the past, Hong Kong will weather any storm on the strength of our people's energy, endurance and resourcefulness. The HKSAR Government is determined to ensure that Government's future work will be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the community in order to reconnect with our people. Let us all work together to propel Hong Kong forward and jealously safeguard Hong Kong's reputation as an international metropolis of order, progress, stability and hope. I trust that with the joint efforts of all quarters of society, including our French community, Hong Kong will continue to thrive in the many years ahead.
 
     Please join me now in a toast. To the Republic of France, and to the people of France, on your National Day. Thank you.

      

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements on July 14 (Sunday) to facilitate a public order event to be held in Sha Tin.

     A public meeting will be held at Chui Tin Street Soccer Pitch in Tai Wai at 2.30pm while a public procession will start by 3.30pm towards MTR Sha Tin Station Public Transport Interchange, to be followed by another public meeting at 7pm at Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza. Police anticipate that the traffic in the vicinity of Tai Wai and Sha Tin will be very congested during the event. Members of the public are advised to avoid driving to the above area and make use of public transport services as far as possible.

     Police respect the public’s freedoms of expression, speech and assembly. It is the policy of Police to facilitate all peaceful public events while at the same time ensuring public safety and public order. Members of the public should express their views in a peaceful and rational manner. They should also follow the instructions of Police officers at scene or the event marshals of the organiser.

     Police appeal to members of the public to comply with the laws of Hong Kong and maintain social order when expressing their views. Should there be any confrontation, they should protect their own safety, maintain a safe distance from violent protestors or leave the scene immediately, so as to give Police enough space to deal with the situation. If the public spot any suspicious persons or objects, they should inform Police under safe circumstances.

     In order to facilitate the holding of the public order event, the following special traffic arrangements will be implemented:

A. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from about 1pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Eastbound Che Kung Miu Road between Chui Tin Street and Lion Rock Tunnel Road;
– The slip road connecting eastbound Che Kung Miu Road and The Riverpark;
– Northbound Lion Rock Tunnel Road between Che Kung Miu Road and Sha Tin Centre Street;
– Eastbound Tai Po Road – Tai Wai between Chung Ling Road and Sha Tin Centre Street, except for vehicles heading for Chung Ling Road;
– Northbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Road slip road leading to southbound Tai Po Road – Sha Tin;
– Man Lam Road;
– Man Lai Road;
– Eastbound Sha Tin Centre Street;
– Wang Pok Street;
– Eastbound Yuen Wo Road between Wang Pok Street and Sha Tin Rural Committee Road;
– Northbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Road between Yuen Wo Road and Pai Tau Street;
– Northbound Tai Po Road – Sha Tin slip road leading to northbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Roadï¼›
– Sha Tin Station Circuit;
– Pai Tau Street; and
– Sheung Wo Che Road.
     
     If necessary , the following roads will be closed at any time until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Southbound Lion Rock Tunnel Road between Che Kung Miu Road and Sha Tin Centre Street;
– Westbound Sha Tin Centre Street;
– Pak Hok Ting Street;
– Yi Ching Lane;
– Tam Kon Po Street;
– Westbound Yuen Wo Road between Wang Pok Street and Sha Tin Committee Road;
– Southbound Tai Po Road – Sha Tin slip road leading to southbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Road; and
– Southbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Road between Yuen Wo Road and Pai Tau Street.

B. Traffic diversions
     
     The following traffic diversions will be implemented from about 1pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Traffic along northbound Sha Tin Tau Road cannot turn right to eastbound Che Kung Miu Road or enter the slip road leading to The Riverpark;
– Traffic along westbound Che Kung Miu Road cannot turn right to the slip road leading to The Riverpark;
– Traffic along northbound Lion Rock Tunnel Road cannot enter the road sections of the north of Tai Chung Kiu Road, and must turn left to westbound Che Kung Miu Road or turn right to eastbound Tai Chung Kiu Road;
– Traffic along Shing Chuen Road cannot turn right to eastbound Tai Po Road – Tai Wai, except for vehicles heading for Chung Ling Road;
– Traffic along Chung Ling Road cannot turn left to eastbound Tai Po Road – Tai Wai;
– Traffic along Pak Hok Ting Street cannot turn right to northbound Sha Tin Centre Street;
– Traffic along Tam Kon Po Street cannot turn right to Sha Tin Centre Street;
– Traffic along westbound Tai Chung Kiu Road cannot turn right to northbound Lion Rock Tunnel Road;
– Traffic along westbound Sha Tin Centre Street must turn left to southbound Lion Rock Tunnel Road;
– Traffic along the southbound Tai Po Road – Sha Tin slip road leading to Sha Tin Rural Committee Road must turn left to southbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Road;
– Traffic along westbound Yuen Wo Road cannot turn right to northbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Road;
– Traffic along northbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Road must turn left to westbound Yuen Wo Road or turn right to eastbound Yuen Wo Road;
– Traffic along northbound Hung Mui Kuk Road to eastbound Che Kung Miu Road will be diverted via northbound Lion Rock Tunnel Road, and turn left to westbound Che Kung Miu Road;
– Traffic along southbound Mei Tin Road to eastbound Che Kung Miu Road will be diverted via southbound Hung Mui Kuk Road, northbound Lion Rock Tunnel Road, and turn left to westbound Che Kung Miu Road; and
– Vehicles heading for Sha Tin Town Hall, New Town Plaza (westbound Sha Tin Centre Street), Pak Hok Ting Street and Yi Ching Lane will be diverted via westbound Yuen Wo Road.

     If necessary, the following traffic diversions will be implemented at any time until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Traffic along westbound Yuen Wo Road must turn left to southbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Road; and
– Traffic along northbound Sha Tin Rural Committee Road must turn right to eastbound Yuen Wo Road.

C. Suspension of parking spaces
     
     The following parking spaces will be suspended from about 1pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– All parking spaces on Man Lam Road;
– All parking spaces on Sha Tin Centre Street outside Sha Tin Market; and
– All parking spaces on Pai Tau Street.

     During the road closure period, vehicles will not be allowed to enter or leave car parks on the closed roads.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the special traffic arrangements may be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of the crowd safety management measures and traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements tomorrow (July 13) to facilitate the holding of a public procession in Sheung Shui.

     The public procession will start at 3.30 pm at the basketball court outside North District Sports Ground at Jockey Club Road towards the vicinity outside Exit A3 of MTR Sheung Shui Station. Police anticipate that the traffic in the vicinity of Shek Wu Hui will be very congested during the event. Members of the public are advised to avoid driving to the above area and make use of public transport services as far as possible.

     Police respect the public’s freedoms of expression, speech and assembly. It is the policy of Police to facilitate all peaceful public events while at the same time ensuring public safety and public order. Members of the public should express their views in a peaceful and rational manner. They should also follow the instructions of Police officers at scene or the event marshals of the organiser.

     Police appeal to members of the public to comply with the laws of Hong Kong and maintain social order when expressing their views. Should there be any confrontation, they should protect their own safety, maintain a safe distance from the violent protestors or leave the scene immediately so as to give Police enough space to deal with the situation. If the public spot any suspicious persons or objects, they should inform Police under safe circumstances.

     Depending on the prevailing crowd and traffic situation on the event day, Police will implement special traffic arrangements including road closure and traffic diversions. The metered parking spaces on the following roads will be suspended from 11am to 8pm:

– Fu Hing Street;
– Tsun Fu Street;
– San Cheung Street;
– San Fung Avenue;
– San Hong Street; and
– San Shing Avenue.
     
     Police officers will be on-site to assist motorists. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion, and observe the instructions given by the Police.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 12) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin on Sunday (July 14) to facilitate the holding of a public event.
     
     The special traffic arrangements will mainly include:
 
1. The following roads will be temporarily closed from about 1pm:
 
i. The section of Che Kung Miu Road eastbound between Chiu Tin Street and Lion Rock Tunnel Road;
ii. The slip road connecting Che Kung Miu Road eastbound and the Riverpark;
iii. The section of Lion Rock Tunnel Road northbound between Che Kung Miu Road and Sha Tin Centre Street;
iv. The section of Tai Po Road – Tai Wai eastbound between Chung Ling Road and Sha Tin Centre Street (except heading for Chung Ling Road);
v. The slip road of Tai Po Road – Sha Tin southbound leading from Sha Tin Rural Committee Road northbound;
vi. Man Lam Road;
vii. Man Lai Road;
viii. Sha Tin Centre eastbound;
ix. Wang Pok Street;
x. The section of Yuen Wo Road eastbound between Wang Pok Street and Sha Tin Rural Committee Road;
xi. The section of Sha Tin Rural Committee Road northbound between Yuen Wo Road and Pai Tau Street;
xii. The slip road of Tai Po Road – Sha Tin northbound leading to Sha Tin Rural Committee Road northbound;
xiii. Sha Tin Station Circuit;
xiv. Pai Tau Street; and
xv. Sheung Wo Che Road.
 
2. The following roads will be temporarily closed depending on the actual traffic and crowd conditions:
 
i. The section of Lion Rock Tunnel Road southbound between Che Kung Miu Road and Sha Tin Centre Street;
ii. Sha Tin Centre Street westbound;
iii. Pak Hok Ting Street;
iv. Yi Ching Lane;
v. Tam Kon Po Street;
vi. The section of Yuen Wo Road westbound between Wang Pok Street and Sha Tin Committee Road;
vii. The slip road of Tai Po Road – Sha Tin southbound leading to Sha Tin Rural Committee Road southbound; and
viii. The section of Sha Tin Rural Committee Road southbound between Yuen Wo Road and Pai Tau Street.
 
     Sha Tin Central Bus Terminus, Sha Tin Station Public Transport Interchange, the green minibus terminus at Pai Tau Street and the taxi stands at Sha Tin Centre Street eastbound and Pai Tau Street will be temporarily suspended from about 1pm. A total of 41 bus routes and 16 green minibus routes operating in the affected areas will be temporarily diverted, and four green minibus routes and three bus routes will be temporarily suspended. The public transport operators will display notices to inform passengers of the arrangements.
 
     Car parks within the affected areas will be suspended during the road closure period. Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precinct of the special traffic arrangements specified above and its vicinity will be towed away by the Police without prior notice.
     
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of MTR Sha Tin Station will be significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. They should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion, and follow the instructions given by the Police.
     
     Members of the public who plan to go to the affected areas are advised to plan their routes in advance and allow more travelling time to cater for unexpected delay. Public transport commuters are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of route diversions, suspension and relocation of stops.
     
     The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news through the media.
     
     Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements are available at the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call 1823.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 12) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in the Sheung Shui district to facilitate the holding of a public procession tomorrow (July 13).
 
     The special traffic and transport arrangements will mainly include:
 
I. Temporary traffic arrangements
 
     Subject to the development of the procession, the Police may temporarily close the roads in the vicinity of Shek Wu Hui. Motorists should follow the instructions of traffic diversion given by the Police.
 
II. Public transport arrangements
 
     From 2pm to 10pm tomorrow, the routing of 21 bus routes and 12 green minibus (GMB) routes will be temporarily diverted within the Sheung Shui district. In addition, the services of two bus routes will be temporarily suspended (the actual implementation time may be adjusted subject to the development of the event). The bus companies and GMB operators will display notices to advise passengers on the temporary arrangements.
 
III. Temporary suspension of metered parking spaces
 
     All the metered parking spaces on Fu Hing Street, Tsun Fu Street, San Cheung Street, San Fung Avenue, San Hong Street and San Shing Avenue will be temporarily suspended from 11am to 8pm tomorrow.
 
     Actual implementation of and adjustments to traffic control and traffic diversions will be made by the Police at the time depending on conditions in the areas. The Police will provide instructions to road users at locations concerned. The stability of public transport services may be affected during the public procession. Passengers are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of route diversions and suspension or relocation of stops. Members of the public are advised to plan their journeys in advance and use alternative travelling routes to avoid unexpected delay, and be alert to the latest traffic news through the media.
 
      For enquiries on the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public can call 1823 or browse the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) for more details.