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Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 3) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Deep Water Bay Beach, Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District; and Hap Mun Bay Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     â€‹Internationally renowned digital media artist Dr Hung Keung from Hong Kong will participate in Nuit Blanche, the largest contemporary art festival in Toronto, Canada, on October 5 (Toronto time). He will feature an extraordinary collaborative project with Canadian artist Lauren Runions in the form of a large-scale digital art installation titled "Dim Sum without Distance", which celebrates the culinary heritage of dim sum. This marks the first time that Hong Kong artists have participated in this annual mega event in Toronto. To share his experiences and updates about Hong Kong's art scene with Canadian artists and students, Dr Hung delivered a talk at York University on October 2 (Toronto time). 
      
     During the talk, themed "Creative Collaboration: From Research to Artistic Practice", Dr Hung provided insights into his artistic process and the significance of cross-cultural dialogue in contemporary art. Attendees had the opportunity to interact directly with Dr Hung, further enriching their experience with this ground-breaking cross-cultural project that intertwines visual art with the culinary heritage of dim sum.
      
     The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto), Ms Emily Mo, delivered a welcome message at the talk. She said that Hong Kong has always been a place where East meets West in arts and culture. "'Dim Sum without Distance' is not just an art installation; it is a celebration of cultural exchange and collaboration," she said. "The project is a testament to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's vision to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange and an international cultural metropolis grounded in Chinese traditions and enriched by different cultures."
      
     Dr Hung is a digital media artist and professor at the Education University of Hong Kong. He blends Chinese philosophy with digital media in an innovative artistic practice that explores interactive performance and experimental art. His large-scale installation piece, "Dim Sum without Distance", will be showcased at Love Park along the Toronto waterfront on the night of October 5 through October 6 (Toronto time). The project aligns with this year's festival theme, "Bridging Distance", engaging visitors with the profound connections between Hong Kong and Toronto through traditional Chinese landscape painting theory, new media, and the culinary art of dim sum.
      
     Visitors to Nuit Blanche will have the opportunity to explore this vibrant intersection of art and cuisine and experience the connections that unite people, regardless of distance.
      
     For more information on the installation and other projects at Nuit Blanche, please visit the thematic website at www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/nuitblanche/all-art-projects/?project_id=10d3b950-790a-4f3e-aad0-fa65b4edb791#location=&lat=&lng=&zoom=.

      

      Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Central this afternoon (October 2) in which a woman died.
     
     At 2.20pm, a light goods vehicle (LGV) driven by a 36-year-old man was travelling along Des Voeux Road West towards Sheung Wan. When the LGV turned left to Wing Lok Street, it reportedly knocked down the 75-year-old woman who was crossing the road.
     
     Sustaining multiple injuries, the woman was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 7.55pm.
     
     The LGV driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries.
     
     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Hong Kong Island is under way.
     
     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3660 6814.

     â€‹In response to the latest situation in Lebanon, the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) has maintained contact with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA), and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Lebanon (the Embassy) to follow up the situation. With the assistance of the Embassy, three Hong Kong residents have been evacuated from Lebanon safely by vessel and flight arranged by our country.

     In view of the latest developments in Lebanon, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government raised the Outbound Travel Alert for Lebanon to black on September 30. The HKSAR Government advises Hong Kong residents to avoid all travel to Lebanon and reminds those already there to attend to personal safety and leave or relocate to relatively safe regions immediately.

     The ImmD will continue to maintain close liaison with the OCMFA and the Embassy to monitor the latest development.

     Hong Kong residents in Lebanon should attend to personal safety and pay attention to announcements made by local authorities and the Chinese Embassy there. Hong Kong residents there who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the Immigration Department Mobile Application, send message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline, send message to the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form, or contact the Chinese Embassy there at its consular protection hotline: (961) 3866468.

     Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the ImmD to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, in a timely manner when necessary.

     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (October 2) on the latest situation and arrangements for the 2024 National Day Golden Week.
 
     On the first day of the Mainland National Day Golden Week (October 1), the number of Mainland visitors to Hong Kong reached 221 644, which hit a record high on the number of Mainland visitors to Hong Kong in a single day after the pandemic and set a corresponding record on the overall number of visitors to Hong Kong in one day.
 
     Regarding Mainland inbound group tours, according to the latest information provided by the Travel Industry Authority (TIA), the number of Mainland inbound group tours arrived in Hong Kong yesterday (October 1) and expected to arrive today are 219 and 280 respectively, and around 80 per cent of the tours are overnight itineraries. To ensure orderly implementation of tourism activities of group tours, the TIA will continue to deploy additional manpower to inspect venues with more activities of inbound group tours including major inbound ports, registered shops, popular tourist spots and catering premises patronised by inbound group tours, etc.
 
     Regarding cruises, in tandem with the two-month seasonal homeporting deployment of the mega cruise ship Costa Serena in Hong Kong, about 1 800 mainland visitors entered Hong Kong through the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (HYWBCP) today and travelled to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) for embarkation by coaches arranged by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in collaboration with a local coach operator. As observed by the Commissioner for Tourism during her inspection at the HYWBCP this morning, through the co-ordination of the Tourism Commission and the assistance of the Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department and the Hong Kong Police Force, visitors were received by the trade at the HYWBCP smoothly, and mainland visitors joining the cruise itinerary in Hong Kong were able to arrive at the KTCT directly from the HYWBCP in about 40 minutes.
 
     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically reviewing and steering the overall co-ordination efforts of various government departments to welcome visitors to Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation. The working group will continue to monitor various circumstances during the Golden Week, taking appropriate measures based on practical needs and making timely announcements.