The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, who is also the Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB), led a delegation of HKMPB members to Hamburg, Germany, to promote Hong Kong as an international maritime centre to the international maritime community.

     Mr Lam and the delegation started their three-day visit to Hamburg on September 2 (Hamburg time) and met with a number of industry players, including the Hamburg Port Authority, major shipping liners, logistics companies and shipowners' association, to explain the strategic position of the Hong Kong international maritime centre as the "super connector" between Mainland China and the global markets, and how its high value-added maritime services can contribute to global maritime business. They also toured port facilities and learned about the smart and green features of the German terminals.
      
     One of the highlights of this visit was the delegation's participation in the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM) trade fair 2024 in Hamburg, where Mr Lam gave a speech at a speaking session to update the international maritime community on the latest developments of Hong Kong's maritime industry on September 3 (Hamburg time). He also joined a panel discussion on the same day and shared his insights on energy transition in global transport and logistics with the audience. 
      
     "On the maritime front, efficiency and connectivity are the two keywords for which Hong Kong is renowned. We have a free port with efficient customs clearance and strong international connectivity, featuring over 300 container vessel sailings each week to nearly 500 destinations worldwide. As a world-class and service-oriented economy, Hong Kong boasts a vibrant maritime services cluster comprising more than 1 100 companies that provide shipping and maritime business services. We also benefit from the unique institutional advantages provided under the 'one country, two systems' and serve as a springboard into the China market. These all contribute to our comprehensive maritime business capabilities, ranking us among the top four world's leading shipping centres, according to the recently released 2024 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index Report," Mr Lam said during the speaking session.
      
     "Hong Kong as a free port is prone to external influences. We acknowledge the situation and believe challenges also entail opportunities. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced the Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy last December to enhance port competitiveness, strengthen high value-added maritime services and enhance promotion of the Hong Kong maritime brand and grooming talent. While challenges abound, Hong Kong has ridden the wave of adversity time and again, emerging stronger and more resilient," he added.
      
     The SMM is one of the world's leading trade fairs and conferences for the maritime industry, with over 40 000 visitors and 2 000 exhibitors from all over the world, including companies from Hong Kong and Mainland China.  
      
     Mr Lam hosted a networking lunch for around 20 representatives from various German maritime enterprises and organisations yesterday (September 4, Hamburg time) to create closer relationships and explore more business opportunities. Mr Lam also had a media interview with a German media organisation to tell the strengths of the Hong Kong maritime industry. The delegation then paid a courtesy visit to the Chinese Consul General in Hamburg, Mr Cong Wu, to brief him on the latest developments of the Hong Kong maritime industry.
      
     The delegation concluded their visit to Hamburg and will arrive in Athens, Greece, this afternoon (September 5, Athens time).

                                

     As the Strong Wing Signal No.3 is now in force, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (September 5) will be cancelled.
 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

     "Due to the issuing of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3, the Social Welfare Department advises members of the public not to take their children or family members to child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres or day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres, integrated vocational training centres and day activity centres. These centres will, however, remain open during their normal operating hours to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them. Members of the public who have the need for the services mentioned may contact the centres or service units concerned in advance."

     Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement by the Education Bureau concerning schools, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     As the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal no. 3 is now in force, classes of kindergartens, schools for children with physical disability and schools for children with intellectual disability are suspended today.

     â€‹A rehabilitation project of the Correctional Services Department (CSD), "Project JET", has been awarded this year's Community Corrections Award, an excellence award by the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA).
      
     The Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services (Operations and Strategic Development), Mr Ng Chiu-kok, led a delegation to attend the ICPA Annual Conference held in Singapore from September 1 to 6 and received the Award at the award presentation ceremony today (September 4).
      
     The ICPA presents correctional excellence awards to recognise individuals, organisations and projects that have achieved remarkable results in the corrections profession. Among them, the Community Corrections Award aims to commend exceptional work by units and projects that have supported and promoted rehabilitation work at the community level with innovative approaches.
      
     The CSD launched "Project JET" in 2022, from the employment aspect, to provide one-stop training and career development opportunities for persons in custody (PICs), encouraging them to make life planning early, make full use of their talents and contribute to society.
      
     The Project includes: (1) Life planning – providing talks and workshops on life planning for PICs in correctional institutions; (2) In-centre training – providing relevant professional training for PICs to master the required work skills; (3) Post-release internship – providing post-release internship opportunities for PICs who have completed relevant training; (4) Formal employment – offering full-time employment to rehabilitated persons with good performance during the internship; and (5) Mentoring scheme – matching rehabilitated persons with suitable mentors as life coaches to provide guidance on work skills and life education during the internship and formal employment periods.
      
     Mr Ng said, "The CSD is honoured to receive the Award from the ICPA. The Award not only recognises the Department's efforts in launching new rehabilitation services, but also enables our international counterparts to understand the professionalism of Hong Kong's correctional work. We will continue to optimise our rehabilitation programmes and strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders to help PICs smoothly reintegrate into society and start a new life after release."
      
     The ICPA was established in 1998 to promote international co-operation in the corrections profession, and to promote the implementation of humane and effective correctional policies and practices. Members of the ICPA include public sectors, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and correctional professionals around the world. The Annual Conference is a flagship event of the ICPA, which includes plenary sessions, workshops and visits to promote the development of the corrections profession through exchanges between corrections professionals and international criminal justice experts.