Tag Archives: China

     To mark the 5th anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), the Security Bureau (SB) today (June 22) led disciplined services, youth groups of the disciplined services and auxiliary services and, for the first time, collaborated with youth uniformed groups subvented by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) to hold a flag-raising ceremony at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy. The event aimed to enhance public understanding of the HKNSL and deepen awareness of safeguarding national security.

     The flag-raising ceremony was officiated by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki. The Police Band, disciplined services ceremonial guard, and youth uniformed groups marched in with Chinese-style foot drill. The Fire Services Department’s flag party conducted the flag-raising ceremony during the playing and singing of the national anthem, accompanied by a fly-past by a helicopter of the Government Flying Service (GFS). The ceremony concluded with a performance by the Police Band.

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the promulgation and implementation of the HKNSL have laid a solid legal foundation for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The HKNSL is a solid shield protecting Hong Kong, safeguarding the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”, and protecting the fundamental well-being of Hong Kong people. Mr Chan praised the disciplined services for their unwavering commitment to implementing the holistic approach to national security and dedication to ensuring national security and social stability. He also encouraged young people to be the future pillars of the country and expressed hope that the whole community would continue to work together to protect national security.

     Following the flag-raising ceremony, Mr Chan officiated the award presentation for the SB and disciplined and auxiliary services’ literature and art creation competition commemorating the 5th anniversary of the HKNSL. The competition encouraged colleagues to create artistic works conveying how the HKNSL fortifies the safeguarding of national security and protecting social stability.

     Participating teams in the flag-raising ceremony came from the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department, the Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department, the GFS, and youth uniformed groups under various disciplined services, the Civil Aid Service and the Auxiliary Medical Service, including the Customs Youth Leader Corps, the Fire and Ambulance Services Teen Connect, the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps, the Junior Police Call, the Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders, the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, the Civil Aid Service Cadet Corps, and the Auxiliary Medical Service Cadet Corps. Youth uniformed groups subvented by the HYAB also participated, including the Association of Hong Kong Flag-guards, the Hong Kong Adventure Corps, the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, the Hong Kong Red Cross Youth, the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, the Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps, the Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade Youth Command, the Scout Association of Hong Kong, The Boys’ Brigade, Hong Kong, and The Girls’ Brigade, Hong Kong.

     The flag-raising ceremony was broadcast live on the Douyin account of the SB, and relevant footage will be broadcast on RTHK 31 at 9.30 am on June 30.

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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 toda… read more

     Over 170 outdoor playgrounds managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) have been included in the Transformation of Public Play Spaces plan to boost their appeal. With inputs from kids, 11 projects have been completed and now open to the public.
 
     Representatives of the LCSD and the Architectural Services Department highlighted their experiences with renovating such playgrounds with news.gov.hk. Plus, one playground design consultant discussed the win-win outcome of incorporating children’s ideas into the playground facilities.
 
     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (June 22) in text and video format. read more

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, continued his visit to Bordeaux, France, to promote the advantages of Hong Kong as a wine and liquor trading hub to the local trade.
      
     On June 20 (France time), Mr Yau held a business roundtable and met with representatives of the trade of Bordeaux wine, Cognac and Armagnac to exchange views on the latest developments of the trade and enhance co-operation on promoting wine and liquor trading.
      
     Mr Yau first shared with the trade the business opportunities brought about by the strong growth in the demand of wine in the vast market of Asia Pacific. He said market research revealed that China’s wine market generated approximately US$31 billion in revenue in 2024 and is projected to reach US$54 billion in 2030, reflecting an annual growth rate of almost 10 per cent. He added that with Hong Kong’s wine duty abolished in 2008, the city is now an international wine trading hub and one of the world’s top three wine auction centres.
      
     Turning to liquor, Mr Yau said that France remains one of Hong Kong’s top liquor trading partners, In 2024, Hong Kong imported US$831 million worth of liquor, and France was Hong Kong’s second-largest import market, accounting for 30 per cent of the total. Brandy continued to be a leading category, particularly through high-end retail channels catering to the Mainland market.
      
     Mr Yau added that last October, Hong Kong took another step by introducing a two-tier liquor duty system under which the duty rate was reduced from 100 per cent to 10 per cent for the portion above HK$200. As a “super connector” linking the East and West, Hong Kong with its strategic location and unique advantages plays a pivotal role in the global liquor trade as a gateway to the fast-growing Asia and Mainland markets. Between 2013 and 2023, imports of spirits in Asia grew 79.3 per cent, a significantly faster rate than the global increase of 42 per cent in the same period. The Mainland is now the third-largest importer of Cognac.
      
     Mr Yau added that Hong Kong’s signature events, such as the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair and the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, along with biennial events such as ProWine Hong Kong and Vinexpo Asia, provide French producers with unparalleled platforms to promote their brands to international buyers, distributors and liquor enthusiasts.
      
     Mr Yau said that coupled with its premier location, free flow of capital and free port status, Hong Kong, as the world’s freest economy and the third-most competitive economy globally, is the best partner for the Bordeaux wine and liquor sector to tap into the tremendous opportunities in the Asia market, notably the Mainland.
      
     On June 21 (France time), Mr Yau took the opportunity to visit vineyards in Bordeaux to learn about their operations and promote Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s wine and liquor trading hub.

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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 22) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.
     
     “The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.

     “Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if you need to stay outdoors for a prolonged period, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
• Seek shade;
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes; and
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.

    
     â€‹If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
     
     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. read more