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 (June 11) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District as Grade 2, which means the water quality has improved and the beach is suitable for swimming. The red flag has been lowered.

     The red flag was hoisted at the beach earlier on due to the water quality being classified as Grade 4 and unsuitable for swimming.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs mounted a joint operation with Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police against drug trafficking by air mail between the two places from June 3 to 7.  

     During the operation a total of 20 cases were detected with the seizure of about 6.4 kilograms of suspected gamma-butyrolactone, about 1.8 kilograms of suspected drugs and about 7.5 kilograms of suspected Part 1 poisons. The estimated market value of the seizure is about $700,000 in total. 

     Hong Kong Customs will continue to step up co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies through intelligence exchange and joint operations to combat international drug trafficking activities.

  

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, started his five-day visit to the United States (US) today (June 10, Eastern Standard Time) meeting key people in the financial, business, legal and academic sectors in New York at a roundtable breakfast meeting before proceeding to Washington, DC, in the afternoon to attend an event in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham).

     Mr Yau updated participants of the breakfast meeting on the latest economic development of Hong Kong and had useful exchanges with them on Hong Kong-US bilateral relations and the current state of international trade. He stressed that the unique strengths of Hong Kong are guaranteed under the Basic Law and that Hong Kong will endeavour to safeguard core values which are key to Hong Kong's continued success, including the rule of law and open and free markets. 

     At the AmCham reception, Mr Yau said Hong Kong has long been a preferred platform for American companies seeking to establish or expand their business in the Mainland of China or throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Few of Hong Kong's rivals can compete with its soft assets such as its institutions and professional services, coupled with its efficient and reliable hard infrastructure.

     Mr Yau added that over the past 50 years bilateral relationship between Hong Kong and the US has gone from strength to strength, noting that during this period trade between the two economies has mushroomed, growing from roughly US$8 billion to US$70 billion. He hoped that AmCham can continue its role as an honest broker in conveying the importance of Hong Kong to American interests.

     Mr Yau will continue his visit programmes in Washington, DC, tomorrow (June 11, Eastern Standard Time).

    

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (June 11) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 11) will be cancelled.