â€‹The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (August 18) announced that the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Mainland Olympians delegation will visit Hong Kong from August 29 to 31.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Central Government for arranging another visit of the Mainland Olympians delegation, which fully demonstrates its care for Hong Kong. I am very grateful to the General Administration of Sport of China and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council for their efforts and arrangements in this regard, enabling members of the public in Hong Kong to meet the national athletes in person." 

     Mr Lee said, "Athletes of the national team, with their spirit of perseverance and high level of skills, achieved breakthroughs in a number of sports in this year's Paris Olympic Games. The national team achieved its best performance abroad since it comprehensively participated in the 1984 Summer Olympics. We are extremely proud to have witnessed China's competitive sports continue to scale new heights, and to demonstrate to the world the power of Chinese-style modernisation."

     "The visits of athletes of the national team to Hong Kong in the past have always been a craze in the city, bringing a joyful and festive atmosphere to the community. We are looking forward to the delegation's visit to share with Hong Kong people their journey of perseverance and success, and to promote the spirit of Chinese sports. Hong Kong people will be able to share the national team's joy and triumphs, thereby strengthening their patriotic passion and national spirit, especially among the youngsters."

     The delegation will start its three-day visit upon arrival. It will attend a welcome reception and welcome banquet hosted by the HKSAR Government, and visit the Hong Kong Sports Institute to exchange with Hong Kong athletes. Members of the delegation will attend three public events, including the Mainland Olympians Gala Show at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in the evening on August 30, as well as Sports Demonstrations by Mainland Olympians at Queen Elizabeth Stadium and Victoria Park Swimming Pool in the morning on August 31.

     The ticketing arrangement and the list of athletes will be announced soon.

     The delegation will leave Hong Kong in the afternoon on August 31.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (August 18) led his team of Principal Officials to attend the 2024 Policy Address District Forum to listen to the views and suggestions of members of local communities on the third Policy Address of the current-term Government. The District Forum was held at Tai Po Government Primary School. About 120 people from different backgrounds attended the event.

     Twenty Principal Officials participated in the District Forum, namely the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Acting Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; and the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong.

     The two-hour District Forum consisted of two sessions. In the first session, the Chief Executive and the Principal Officials listened to the views of members of the public. The matters raised straddled across many areas, including land and housing, transport, innovation and technology, financial services development, cultural and creative industries, education, youth issues, poverty alleviation and support for the disadvantaged, healthcare and more. In the second session, participants were divided into four groups centred on the themes of "pursuing development and economic growth" and "improving people's livelihood in pursuit of happiness" to engage in more extensive discussions with the Chief Executive and Principal Officials. The Chief Executive also interacted with members of each group in turn and listened to their views.
 
     Mr Lee said, "I am grateful to everyone present today for taking the time on Sunday to participate in the Policy Address District Forum and for having fruitful interactions with my team and me. In the Policy Addresses over the last two years, many initiatives were developed based on the views received during the District Forum. The valuable views of the public have helped me gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing society and local communities as I prepare my Policy Address, enabling us to come up with policies that better address the needs of the public.
 
     "My team and I will take the views of the public seriously, continue to be innovative and proactive in addressing the concerns of our people, and unite all sectors in society to build a vibrant economy and strive for development. We serve the public with dedication to improve their livelihood."　
 
     The Government launched the public consultation for the Policy Address on July 16. The Government will continue to gather input from organisations and individuals in different sectors over the coming month through activities including consultation sessions and district visits. Members of the public can also give their views through various channels, including the Policy Address website, social media platforms, hotlines, email, fax and post.

                

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 (August 18) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District, and Hap Mun Bay Beach and Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District.

     Meanwhile, 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 these beaches.

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 (August 18) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/beach_quality/forecast_system.html), the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index for Silver Mine Bay Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District is 4, which means the predicted water quality at this beach/these beaches is "Very Poor" due to potential transient water quality fluctuations caused by heavy rain. Red flags have been hoisted, and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.

     â€‹The Government's drive for smart mobility has achieved encouraging progress as eight autonomous vehicles being tested across Hong Kong reach the autonomous driving level that matches developments on the Mainland and overseas. Among them, two autonomous light buses will start a trial run at Fairview Park in Yuen Long soon.
      
      Apart from speaking with the Automotive Platforms & Application Systems R&D Centre to learn more about the characteristics of these two light buses, news.gov.hk interviewed a representative from the Transport Department who highlighted the evolution of driverless vehicles in Hong Kong.
      
     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (August 18) in text and video format.