Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (August 24), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government on August 23 strongly disapproves and rejects the biased reporting of a New York Times article titled "A History Museum Shows How China Wants to Remake Hong Kong" which carries false and misleading narratives against the National Security Exhibition Gallery of the HKSAR.

     A spokesperson of the HKSAR Government said, "The National Security Exhibition Gallery is the first thematic gallery in the HKSAR dedicated to systematic promotion of national security education. The Gallery aims at enhancing visitors' appreciation of the positive significance of national security, deepening citizens’ general knowledge and understanding of national security related concepts and issues. Developed around the core of a holistic approach to national security, the Gallery serves to promote patriotism and affection for our country. Messages are conveyed to encourage all citizens to take part in safeguarding national security, and to elevate their sense of responsibility and ownership. The prevailing situation about security and social stability in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong leveraging its unique advantages of being backed by the Motherland and connected to the world, are emphasised.

     "The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. It is a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under 'one country, two systems' and comes directly under the Central People's Government. The HKSAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to this top priority of the 'one country, two systems' principle. The HKSAR Government resolutely, fully and faithfully implements the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance so as to address, combat, deter and prevent, in accordance with the law, acts and activities endangering national security. At the same time, it will safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law.

     "In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states. Many common law jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation and implemented measures to safeguard national security."

     The spokesperson for the HKSAR Government stressed, "The article of the New York Times has completely ignored the large-scale and incessant riots that occurred in 2019 and the very fact of the failed attempt to stage the Hong Kong version of 'colour-revolution', which have continuously devastated society, livelihood and economy of Hong Kong. It has also deliberately neglected the fact that the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community, and the business environment as well, to return to normalcy. The New York Times has demonstrated hypocrisy with double standards.

      "The Gallery features six zones to bring out the context and significance of national security. The contents of the Gallery are authoritative, objective and authentic in nature, accompanied with data, videos, photographs and summaries of real cases etc., underscoring the importance of the need for the HKSAR to strengthen the work of safeguarding national security under the threats posed to national security by external forces. The untruthful reporting of the New York Times article about the Gallery is completely out of order and twisting the facts.

     "Since the Gallery opened to the public on August 7, visitors are coming in droves, the number of which has already surpassed 10 000 by the fourth day. Lots of the visitors consider the contents of the Gallery to be comprehensive, with detailed information and coupled with video-playing, narratives, interactive games and 3D devices, they cater for visitors of all age groups.

     "Since the opening of the Gallery, it has been receiving very positive reviews. It is effective in enhancing the citizens' awareness of the significance of safeguarding national security and the exhibition has achieved what the Gallery is meant for. The Gallery will continue to actively promote the education of all citizens joining hands to safeguard national security and encourage them to support the HKSAR to fully and faithfully implement the principle of 'one country, two systems' with a view to maintaining long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

     "Safeguarding national security is the constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR and raising the awareness of Hong Kong residents of national security and of the obligation to abide by the law is the unshirkable responsibility of the HKSAR Government. Any attempts by foreign or external forces to smear the positive significance of the Gallery will only expose their own weakness and be doomed to fail. The HKSAR Government will continue to resolutely discharge its duty to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems'."

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene continued its duty visit to Yangzhou and Nanjing today (August 23).
 
     In the morning, the delegation visited Jiangdu Modern Agricultural Industrial Demonstration Park in Yangzhou and Members received a briefing by relevant representatives on the Park's development of smart farming. Members learnt that the Park, which is a provincial level demonstration site, has in recent years vigorously developed its vegetable and fruit industry, introducing high-value-added varieties and smart farming to drive local farmers' income.
 
     The delegation next visited Yangzhou Aojite Biotechnology Corp., Ltd to learn about the latest development in cultivating edible fungi. Members noted that the company adopts a factory cultivation model to facilitate monitoring and management of the conditions for growing mushrooms, so as to protect them from bacteria, pest and environmental contamination at source, thereby substantially enhancing food safety.
 
     The delegation returned to Nanjing in the afternoon and visited Nanjing Li Ming company which specialises in aquaculture. Members understood that the company has been selected as a pilot for smart production in Nanjing in recent years. By digitalising its aquatic product supply chain, the company reduced costs in cultivation, processing, logistics and delivery, while increasing cultivation income.
 
     The delegation then visited Nanjing Tongwei company to understand its aquaculture and technological research and development achievements. The company operates one of the mega aquaponic farms in the country and is equipped with digitised devices such as an online water quality monitoring system, enabling real-time monitoring of aquaculture conditions and taking prompt response when necessary. During the visits, Members also took the opportunities to exchange views with representatives of the above enterprises on the developments of agriculture and fisheries in the two cities and Hong Kong.
 
     The delegation will continue its duty visit to Nanjing tomorrow (August 24).

        

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, continued his visit in Beijing today (August 23).

     Professor Sun visited the National Development and Reform Commission to call on the Secretary General, Mr Wu Hao. Apart from giving an update on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's efforts in promoting innovation and technology (I&T) and new industrialisation, Professor Sun also introduced the latest work on the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hong Kong Park) at the meeting. He noted that the HKSAR Government has preliminarily completed the drafting of overarching document on the development of the Hong Kong Park, including the development directions, positioning, hardware and software support, with the target to promulgate it within this year. Both sides also discussed the key content of the overarching document.

     Professor Sun then called on Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Ji, and reported to him on the discussion at meetings with various ministries during this visit to Beijing, as well as work progress of promoting I&T and developing new industries by the HKSAR Government. Professor Sun also introduced the latest development of the Hong Kong Park. Both sides exchanged views on issues of giving full play to the Hong Kong's strengths, expediting the development into an international I&T centre and serving the country's needs in reform and opening up.

     Professor Sun also attended the HICOOL 2024 Global Entrepreneur Summit Opening Ceremony and Global Entrepreneurship Competition Awards Ceremony today and took part in the Summit dinner. With the theme of "New Quality Productive Forces Driving Collaborative Innovation", the Summit is an integrated international talent event featuring competitions on domestic and overseas entrepreneurship with participation of high-tech enterprises and entrepreneurs. During the Summit, Professor Sun engaged in exchanges with leaders of the Beijing Municipality, and a group of local leading figures in the industry, entrepreneurs and investors. Professor Sun also toured the Summit pavilion and visited a booth set up by Cyberport which showcased cutting-edge technology from five artificial intelligence and robotics technology enterprises under the digital technology flagship. During the tour, he briefed the Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Mr Yin Li, and the Mayor of Beijing, Mr Yin Yong, on the development of I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong and building up of high quality talent base.

     The Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Dr Ge Ming, also joined part of the visit.

     Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (August 24).