Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Yellow fire danger warning
The fire danger situation today (March 9) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.
Police today (March 8) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sau Mau Ping.
Ng Chi-kwong Dilly, aged 56, went missing after he left his residence on Hiu Kwong Street on February 24 afternoon. His family made a report to Police yesterday (March 7).
He is about 1.68 metres tall, around 65 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and is bald with short black hair on both sides. He was last seen wearing a green jacket, a green hoodie, grey trousers and white sport shoes.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0333 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
The Hong Kong Police Force today (March 8) launched the fourth cohort of the Leadership Institute on Narcotics (L.I.O.N.), a dedicated programme to nurture young anti-drug leaders.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, said that L.I.O.N. has continued to be innovative in introducing new elements in the programme since its establishment in 2021. This year, the module focusing on “space oil drug” has been further enhanced, enabling mentees to learn and promote those anti-drug messages that are closely connected to current trends.
He pointed out that since the first half of 2024, “space oil drug” has become the third most abused substance among youths, with a significant increase in related arrests – surging by 35 times year-on-year from eight to 278, including 61 individuals aged under the 21, with the youngest at 12. In view of this, the content about the clinical symptoms following the abuse of “space oil drug” and its drug rehabilitation treatment will be incorporated into this year’s programme. He hoped that the mentees will apply what they have learnt to spread anti-drug messages, joining hands with all sectors to build a society embracing a “Drugs? Never, Ever!” culture.
Mr Siu mentioned that this year’s programme has seen a record-high number of student enrollments, and that the 300 anti-drug leaders graduated from the first three cohorts have conveyed anti-drug messages to over 110 000 people. He also noted a 70 per cent cumulative decrease in youth arrests related to serious drug cases, from 430 in 2021 to 129 in 2024, which was a record low in recent years. Among these, the number of arrested students has decreased by nearly 80 per cent, reflecting L.I.O.N.’s substantial achievements in anti-drug education that realised the goal of “more anti-drug publicity result in fewer drug-involved youths”.
Mr Siu added that a performance evaluation conducted on the third cohort of L.I.O.N. showed that the programme had effectively enhanced the knowledge, leadership capabilities and activity planning skills of the mentees, while strengthening public awareness of drugs. He expressed gratitude to L.I.O.N.’s sponsors, executive committee members, professional trainers and mentors, as well as the principals, teachers and students of the 20 participating secondary schools for their support, which has paved the way for the sustainability of the programme.
During the ceremony, mentees from the third cohort shared their valuable insights gained from an exchange tour to Australia last month. They said that the trip not only provided opportunities for them to tell the good stories of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts, but also broadened their horizons by learning the similarities and differences in anti-drug policies between the two places. In addition, an outstanding mentee from the second cohort also shared his training journey and his commitment to becoming an anti-drug leader after graduation.
Established by the Police Narcotics Bureau in 2021, L.I.O.N. brings together various community sectors and annually recruits 80 secondary school students and 20 undergraduates as mentees. Through drug knowledge workshops, leadership training camps, visits, as well as Mainland and overseas exchange programmes, mentees acquire anti-drug knowledge and leadership skills to spread messages against drugs within the community.
Following a number of cases of norovirus infection due to consumption of contaminated food in Japan since last month, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (March 8) reminded the public to be more vigilant and pay attention to personal, environmental and food hygiene to minimise the risk of food poisoning when travelling.
"According to the Japanese authorities, more than 150 people have been infected with norovirus since last month after patronising Kiichi, a Japanese restaurant in Osaka Prefecture, or eating Japanese confectionery (including strawberry daifuku) produced by the Kiyotsuki Co. Ltd in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture. Information from the Japanese health authorities also showed that the activity of infectious gastroenteritis in Japan has increased recently. As Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the vicinity of Hong Kong, I would like to appeal to those who are planning to visit or are currently visiting Japan to remain vigilant and maintain personal, environmental and food hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of being infected," Dr Tsui said.
"In general, norovirus is more active in winter. Norovirus is highly contagious and individuals may become infected after being exposed to even a small amount of norovirus. The virus can be transmitted through various means, such as eating contaminated food, contacting with the vomit or excreta of infected persons, and contacting with contaminated objects. It may lead to a large-scale outbreak. Since alcohol is not effective in killing norovirus, alcohol-based handrubs are not a substitute for handwashing with soap and water," he added.
Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, mild fever and malaise. Most patients usually recover on their own and symptoms usually improve within one to three days.
To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are advised to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene. When eating out, the following points should be observed:
Members of the public may visit the CHP's webpages for more information and preventive advice on norovirus infection.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and his wife, Mrs Janet Lee, today (March 8) officiated at a reception to celebrate International Women's Day 2025 hosted by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Women's Commission (WoC).
The reception was attended by members of the WoC, representatives from women's groups, non-governmental organisations and the local community. Thematic panels were set up at the reception to showcase the efforts made by the Government and the WoC in promoting women's development.
In his speech, Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong, as an international metropolis, offers equal opportunities for development to all, regardless of gender. He added that Hong Kong women have long been the pillars of their families and important drivers that fuel the progress of society, contributing significantly to the prosperity of the city.
He said, "The promotion of women's development is of paramount importance. The Government attaches importance to women's benefits and well-being. Together with the Women's Commission, we will continue our concerted efforts in promoting women's development and writing a new chapter in women’s advancement." Mr Lee extended his warm wishes for Hong Kong women to embody the fragrant virtues of the bauhinia, upholding good family values; to stand tall as kapok trees in scaling new professional heights; and to bloom with the resilient spirit of winter plum blossoms in telling the good story of Hong Kong.
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, said at the reception that the HYAB has made significant achievements in promoting women's development over the past year, including holding the first Family and Women Development Summit and launching the one-stop family and women information portal. The Women Empowerment Fund, set up in June 2023, has approved over 240 projects to empower women to realise their full potentials. In addition, the HYAB will launch the "She Inspires" mentorship programme in the second quarter of this year, matching local female university students with female leaders as their mentors, and has received overwhelming support from outstanding women leaders in Hong Kong.
She said, "For the past three decades, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has unswervingly implemented the principles of the United Nations' Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and uphold the provisions under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, making remarkable achievements in women's development." She added that the HYAB will continue to work together with all sectors of society to enable women in Hong Kong to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life.
Also officiating at the reception were Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Liu Guangyuan; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Pan Yundong; Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Senior Colonel Wang Zhixue; Deputy Director of the liaison office of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Xie Zhixiang; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung; the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mrs Regina Ip; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mabel Chan; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; and the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam.
