Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

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

     A fire broke out at a public cargo working area on Hoi Fai Road, Yau Ma Tei, at 5.06pm today (October 14). The fire was upgraded to a No. 3 alarm at 6pm. The Fire Services Department is conducting firefighting operations. 

     Members of the public who are being affected by the smoke and an unusual odour carried by the wind are advised to close their doors and windows and stay calm.

     The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, today (October 14) welcomed the Director General of the Copyright Department of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Mr Wang Zhicheng, to visit Hong Kong Customs with his delegation at the Customs Headquarters Building (CHB). During the meeting, both sides reviewed the achievements in intellectual property rights (IPR) protection co-operation in recent years and looked forward to future plans and strategies. To deepen co-operation in combating infringement activities, both sides agreed to strengthen information exchanges and personnel training.

     Ms Ho said that Hong Kong Customs has officially assumed the post of Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region of the World Customs Organization. During the tenure, Hong Kong Customs is expected to promote collaboration among members in the Asia-Pacific region and enhance regional enforcement capabilities and effectiveness by organising international conferences, co-ordinating regional enforcement actions and conducting capacity-building activities. IPR protection has always been a common concern among Asia-Pacific members. Ms Ho invited Mr Wang and the National Copyright Administration to await and support further relevant activities.

     The delegation also toured the Exhibition Gallery at the CHB to learn about the historical development, evolution and significant roles played in different domains by Hong Kong Customs.

      

     The Education Bureau (EDB) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Development Office of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) have organised the "Dreams to Greater Bay Area Come True" Itinerary Design Competition under Mainland Exchange Programmes for Students, encouraging secondary students to design routes for Mainland exchanges covering the GBA cities as destinations. Through the activities, students are encouraged to gather information so as to deepen their understanding of the interconnectivity, history and culture, innovative technology, and development opportunities of the GBA cities, thereby broadening their horizons and cultivating their affection for the country. 

     The kick-off ceremony cum briefing session of the competition was held today (October 14) as part of the celebrations for the 15th anniversary of the founding of the "Passing on the Torch" National Education Activity Series Platform. Officiating guests included the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai; the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan; Second-level Inspector of Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Zhang Guolai; the Chairperson of the Organising Committee for the 15th Anniversary of the Founding of the "Passing on the Torch" National Education Activity Series Platform, Mr Lung Chee-ming; and various Executive Chairpersons of the Platform. 

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Sze said that the "Passing on the Torch" National Education Activity Series Platform has been strongly supported by the Central People's Government Offices in Hong Kong and eminent individuals from various sectors in Hong Kong since its establishment in 2009, enabling smooth progress in all areas of work.  

     Mr Sze said under the leadership of various Executive Chairpersons, more than 550 000 primary and secondary students have benefited over the years. Mainland Exchange Programmes for primary and secondary students have covered 22 provinces, four autonomous regions and four municipalities.  

     Mr Sze also expressed gratitude to the GBA Development Office for co-organising the competition with the EDB, providing students with more opportunities to understand the history, culture and development opportunities of the GBA, which will widen their horizons and foster their sense of national identity.

     During the kick-off ceremony, the officiating guests lit a cauldron with torches, symbolising "Passing on the Torch". About 400 teachers, students and guests participated by switching on the lighting decorations, expressing their wish for the Platform to continue promoting affection for both the country and Hong Kong in the Hong Kong school sector.

     Secondary students will participate in the competition on a team basis. Each team should submit a proposal on such themes as root-tracing/remembrance of origins, innovation/aerospace technology, and intangible cultural heritage. The proposal should include an itinerary for a student exchange lasting one to three days in the GBA cities.  

     The champion itineraries will be turned into actual trips, and the winning teams will be fully subsidised to join the trips as an award. Completed proposals should be submitted by December 20. For details, please visit the designated webpage (www.bayarea.gov.hk/itinerary-design-competition/en/home/index.html).

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Rhinovirus/Enterovirus in a ward of the learning disabilities, the spokesperson for Kwai Chung Hospital gave the following update today (October 14):

     Two more female patients (aged 30 and 40) of the same ward have been presenting with respiratory symptoms since October 11. The patients are being treated in isolation and are in stable condition.

     Enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward concerned according to prevailing guidelines. Droplet and contact precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of the environment and equipment have also been strengthened. 

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ward concerned. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.

     From September 30 to October 10, Hong Kong Customs conducted a territory-wide inspection to combat traders supplying shortweight products before the Chung Yeung Festival. After test buys and spot checks, three traders suspected of violating the regulations were found, in contravention of the Weights and Measures Ordinance (WMO).  

     During the operation, Customs officers inspected a total of 130 roasted meat stalls and fruit shops, three of which were found to be supplying siu mei products and fruits that were shortweighted, with discrepancies ranging from 10.59 per cent to 11.31 per cent.

     Investigations are ongoing.

     Customs reminds consumers to purchase products from reputable shops and pay attention to the weighing process and the actual weight when the products are supplied by weight.

     Customs also reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the WMO. Under the WMO, any person who in the course of trade supplies goods to another person by weight or measure should supply the goods in net weight or net measure. Any shortage of the quantity purporting to be supplied is an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $10,000. In addition, any person who uses for trade, or has in his possession for use for trade, any weighing or measuring equipment which is false or defective commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000. Also, any person who fails to let customers have a clear view of readings of the weighing or measuring equipment is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $5,000.

     Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against shortweight activities to protect consumers' interests and uphold a fair trading environment.
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     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the WMO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).