The 75th National Day Farm and Gourmet Festival runs for four consecutive days between today (September 28) and October 1 at Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok to showcase a variety of local agricultural and fisheries products, offer authentic Hong Kong style cuisine and share the joy of National Day with members of the public.
      
     Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. By co-organising the Festival, the departments bring together local agricultural, fisheries, and catering industries to promote local agricultural and fisheries products and authentic cuisine. Members of the public can share the joy by indulging in this sumptuous feast for the eyes, ears and palate at the Festival.
      
     The Festival is co-organised by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD); the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD); the Vegetable Marketing Organization (VMO); and the Fish Marketing Organization (FMO). Themed "Celebrating National Day Together, Vibrant Farm and Gourmet Exhibition, Intangible Cultural Heritage Adds Charm, Celebrities Perform for All", a total of 60 agricultural and fisheries stalls will be on-site offering an array of agricultural and fisheries products for sale, including premium agricultural products (such as eggplants, mushrooms, dragon fruits, corn, sweet potatoes and various hydroponic vegetables) produced by local organic, accredited and hydroponic farms. Fresh fisheries products (such as spiny lobsters, pompanos, grey mullets, jade perches and speckled blue grouper) cultured and produced by local accredited fish farms, as well as premium local dried fisheries products, are also on offer.

     â€‹The FMO and the VMO have also set up stalls to sell premium local agricultural and fisheries products, along with several newly launched signature products (including cherry wood smoked cobia fillet, four different flavors of collagen jelly and Shanghai smoked fish) for members of the public to choose from. In addition, there are 26 gourmet stalls on-site offering a variety of delicate dim sum, desserts and street food, as well as authentic cuisine made from local agricultural and fisheries products for members of the public to enjoy.
      
     Meanwhile, with a view to allowing members of the public to learn more about the latest developments in local agricultural and fisheries industries, the Hong Kong agricultural and fisheries technology exhibition has been set up at the Festival. The exhibition area demonstrates how the industry boosts productivity, enhances the quality of local produce and promotes the sustainable development of the industries with the use of technology. The exhibition area provides an opportunity for members of the public to experience controlled environment hydroponic technology, farm mechanisation, smart greenhouse technology and a modern mariculture demonstration farm through virtual reality. Additionally, the exhibition area showcases a recirculating aquaculture system featuring newly cultivated local fisheries species. Visitors can also participate in agriculture and fisheries workshops to experience organic seedling planting and Gyotaku printing, as well as acquiring agricultural and fisheries knowledge and winning prizes by participating in booth games. Furthermore, a photo-taking spot displaying seasonal local crops and mascots of the Agriculture Hall and the Fisheries Hall is set up in the exhibition area for the public to take photos.
      
     The FEHD will also set up a food and environmental hygiene exhibition area at the venue to introduce various livelihood-related services provided by the Department, including public cleansing services, and information relating to food business licenses. The Centre for Food Safety of the FEHD will also disseminate food safety information and introduce its collaboration with the food trade in safeguarding food safety. Apart from watching videos, members of the public may also participate in quiz games on interactive electronic devices in the exhibition area. The FEHD's publicity vehicle, the Mobile Education Centre, will also be parked at the venue to allow members of the public to learn about food, personal and environmental hygiene in a fun and educational way. In addition, a photo-taking spot featuring Keep Clean Ambassador Ah Tak will be set up in the exhibition area to publicise the message of "Keep Hong Kong clean, we can do it".
      
     The Festival features an array of exhibitions related to intangible cultural heritage of the Mainland and Hong Kong. These exhibitions highlight the inheritance and transformation of Chinese culture for family enjoyment. The Festival also offers a variety of entertaining performances, including singing and cultural performances, as well as cooking demonstrations. Moreover, souvenirs will be given out while stocks last to visitors who answer simple questions related to the 75th National Day and the Festival.
      
     Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony include Legislative Council Members Mr Tommy Cheung, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Yang Wing-kit; the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Miss Vivian Lau; the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Ms Irene Young; and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai.
      
     The Festival is open from 10am to 8pm, with a free shuttle bus service provided by the organisers available to and from Shek Kip Mei MTR Station Exit C. Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome. Details of the event can be found at www.afcd.gov.hk/english/The75thNationalDayFarmandGourmetFestival/Main.html and on the Festival's social media pages.
      
     The Farm and Gourmet Festival is one of the highlight events in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. For the latest information regarding other events, please visit the dedicated website (www.nationalday75.gov.hk/en).

            

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 (September 28) that due to inclement weather, red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, visited Sha Tin District today (September 28) and met with local residents. He visited a community rehabilitation day centre, where he interacted with service users to listen to their views on the upcoming Policy Address. He also inspected a refurbished public rental housing (PRH) flat in the district to understand the Housing Department's efforts in combating tenancy abuse of PRH flats.

     The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; and the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung, also joined relevant parts of the visit.

     Accompanied by the District Officer (Sha Tin), Mr Frederick Yu, Mr Lee and the officials visited the family home of a person with disabilities and her carer in Wo Che Estate to learn more about their daily lives and caring issues.

     Afterwards, Mr Lee visited the SAHK New Territories East Community Rehabilitation Day Centre to understand its rehabilitation training services provided to individuals with physical and cognitive impairments and support for carers. There, he interacted with service users.

     Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has implemented a series of measures to strengthen support for persons with disabilities and their carers, including increasing the number of district support centres for persons with disabilities and quotas for various rehabilitation services. A pilot project was launched in the third quarter of last year by establishing two integrated community rehabilitation centres to provide more flexible and appropriate support for persons with severe disabilities. Operated by a charitable organisation commissioned by the Social Welfare Department, the Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183 commenced operation in September last year. The HKSAR Government will continue to enhance relevant work to build a caring and inclusive community, he added.

     Mr Lee and the officials then inspected a PRH flat in Sha Kok Estate that was recovered and refurbished by the Housing Department as part of its efforts in combating tenancy abuse of PRH flats. At the PRH flat, Mr Lee and the officials learned more about its facilities and the department's relevant work.

     Mr Lee noted that the Housing Department has been taking multipronged measures to combat tenancy abuse through preventive detection, investigations, publicity and education, and enhancement of the "Well-off Tenants Policies" and the "Addition Policy", in order to safeguard the proper use of valuable PRH resources. The Housing Department is currently reviewing the workflow and standards of refurbishment works for vacant flats to expedite the work progress, with a view to allocating the flats to PRH applicants as soon as possible.

     Mr Lee and the officials then visited a market and a cooked food stall in Sha Kok Estate to interact with vendors and residents to listen to their opinions on the Government's policies.

     "I attach importance to policy areas closely related to people's livelihood, such as the support for persons with disabilities and supply of public housing. Through interactions with members of the public, I could feel their love for Hong Kong and their aspirations for life. My team and I will continue to listen to the views of various sectors of society, with a view to building a vibrant economy for a caring community," Mr Lee said.

     The public consultation exercise for the 2024 Policy Address was launched in mid-July. Mr Lee appealed to members of the public to actively give their views on issues of their interests to the Government.

     The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, reviewed the Fire and Ambulance Services Teen Connect (FAST Connect) Rally in Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China held by the Fire Services Department (FSD) at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (September 28). About 250 members of FAST Connect participated in the Rally.

     During the Rally, FAST Connect members demonstrated their team spirit through singing of the national anthem, and performing the Chinese-style foot drill. Guards of Honour of FAST Connect and that of the FSD also jointly conducted a flag raising ceremony. The event aimed at strengthening members' sense of identity with, belonging to, and pride towards the country.

     Addressing the Rally, Mr Tang stated that the Security Bureau and its disciplined forces attach great importance to fostering youngsters' positive thinking, law-abiding awareness and team spirit to train up future leaders for the country and also for Hong Kong. Since the establishment of FAST Connect in 2021 by the FSD, its members have participated in a variety of exchange activities to better grasp the country's latest developments and deepen their national identity. FAST Connect has been growing and is now expanding to 18 districts throughout the territory. The number of members has increased from just over 100 to nearly 1 000. The Rally is a showcase of the fruitful training results of the members. 

     Mr Tang expressed his hope that the members should keep in mind the FSD's mission of "Serving with courage, passion and commitment", as well as upholding the spirit of dedication, resilience and determination. He also encouraged the members to diligently equip themselves to become participants in Hong Kong's advancement from stability to prosperity. At the same time, they should foster a strong sense of patriotism, contribute to the "one country, two systems" principle and national rejuvenation, and be good storytellers of China who also understand global trends well.

     Representatives of offices of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung; Commissioners of FAST Connect; Chairpersons of the 18 District Fire Safety Committees; Chairpersons of the Fire Safety Ambassador Honorary Presidents' Association; and representatives from various disciplined services youth corps, etc, were also in attendance to join the celebration.

     The FSD has long been committed to promoting youth development. Upon the establishment of FAST Connect, various activities have been arranged for its members, including exchange trips to the Mainland, community services and career orientation activities. These activities help members to better understand themselves, cultivate positive thinking, and guide them in exploring future career paths.

              

     Police today (September 28) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tsuen Wan.

     Wong Shun-fun, aged 73, went missing after she left her residence in Fuk Loi Estate yesterday (September 27) afternoon. Her family made a report to Police today.

     She is about 1.6 metres tall, 54 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short black and white straight hair. She was last seen wearing a pink T-shirt, black pants, light-coloured sandals, and carrying a black waist bag.
 
     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1173 or 5217 5562 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.