â€‹Hong Kong boccia athlete John Loung today (September 2) won the gold medal in the Men's Individual BC1 event at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. This is the first gold medal won by the Hong Kong, China Delegation at this year's Paralympic Games. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to John Loung and his coaches.
      
     "John Loung demonstrated unwavering determination and superb skills in the competition, claiming the first gold medal for the Hong Kong, China Delegation at this year's Paralympic Games. His gold medal is well-deserved. All Hong Kong people and I are thrilled and proud of his outstanding performance," Mr Lee said.
      
     The Hong Kong, China Delegation has so far won one gold medal, one silver medal and one bronze medal at this year's Paralympic Games.

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met the Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration (NDCPA), Mr Wang Hesheng, and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, Ms Ao Ieong U, in Hong Kong today (September 2), and signed the Co-operation Agreement on Response Mechanism for Public Health Emergencies caused by Infectious Disease. The agreement aims to strengthen co-operation and communication among the Mainland, the Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) and the Macao SAR in tackling significant public health emergencies caused by infectious diseases.

     Professor Lo said, "Collaboration among health agencies is crucial to the formulation of response strategies and control measures in relation to public health emergencies caused by infectious diseases. The HKSAR Government has been attaching great importance in maintaining close co-operation with the NDCPA and the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government in safeguarding the well-being and safety of the public of various places during major infectious disease outbreaks in a practical manner, and maintaining social stability to sustain economic development."

     According to the Agreement, the scope of co-operation and communication among the Mainland, the HKSAR and the Macao SAR cover the notification of information regarding infectious diseases and mass infection with unknown cause diseases, co-ordinated efforts in emergency responses, as well as technical issues, training and scientific research on public health emergency responses to infectious diseases.

     Professor Lo said, "The Agreement will further step up the joint prevention and control efforts against infectious diseases among the Mainland, the HKSAR and the Macao SAR, thereby advancing the country's important strategy of 'Healthy China' through concerted efforts."

     At the meeting, Professor Lo, Mr Wang and Ms Ao Ieong also had an exchange on the work on public health in the three places.
      
     The Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, also attended the meeting today.

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, today (September 2) expressed deep sadness over the passing of Mr Louis Tong, former Judge of the Court of First Instance (CFI) of the High Court.

     "Mr Tong was an accomplished criminal judge, holding the senior position of Criminal Listing Judge of the CFI of the High Court for many years. He was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2017 for his dedicated and meritorious services in the Judiciary," Chief Justice Cheung said.

     Mr Tong joined the Judiciary as a Temporary Magistrate in 1990 and became a Magistrate in 1991. He was promoted to Principal Magistrate in 1997 and was appointed as Chief Magistrate in 1998. In 2000, he was appointed a Judge of the CFI of the High Court.

     "On behalf of the Judiciary, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family," Chief Justice Cheung said.

     Hong Kong Customs will set up a booth at the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair (HKWCF), to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), from tomorrow (September 3) for five consecutive days to publicise the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime, and will provide on-site counter services to assist non-Hong Kong dealers in submitting cash transaction reports during their participation in the fair.

     According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), the Regime came into effect on April 1, 2023. Any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engages in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs and fulfil his/her anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing statutory obligations as appropriate. All dealers in precious metals and stones must successfully obtain a relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

     For non-Hong Kong dealers fulfilling the prescribed conditions (including those who come to Hong Kong to participate in exhibitions), although they are exempt from registration, they are required to submit to Hong Kong Customs a cash transaction report for any cash transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 carried out in Hong Kong within one day after the transaction, or before the dealer or the person acting on behalf of the dealer leaves Hong Kong, whichever is earlier.

     Non-Hong Kong dealers can make an online submission of a cash transaction report via the Regime's webpage at www.drs.customs.gov.hk by accessing the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System. They can also download the related form at www.drs.customs.gov.hk/download/drsform/CED418_Form%208_Cash%20transaction%20report.pdf and then submit the report in person at Hong Kong Customs' booth at the HKWCF. 

     The Hong Kong Customs' booth (Booth 1C-A37) is located at HKCEC Hall 1C and will be open from 10am to 6.30pm between September 3 and 6, and from 10am to 5.30pm on September 7.

     Dealers can visit the website (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html) for more information about the Regime.

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (September 2).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.