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 (December 4) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Yellow fire danger warning
The fire danger situation today (December 4) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.
​A publicity delegation visited Hong Kong to speak on the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) upon the invitation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. The HKSAR Government today (December 3) held two seminars to promote the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. The keynote speakers of the delegation include the Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Shen Chunyao, and the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Xie Fuzhan.
The two seminars were hosted by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and delivered by Mr Shen and Mr Xie. The first seminar was attended by over 600 participants, including HKSAR Government officials, members of the Executive Council and Legislative Council, and representatives from the Judiciary. About 500 representatives from various sectors of the community were invited to attend the second seminar, including Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress, Hong Kong Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representatives from major political organisations and community groups, industrial and commercial sectors, professional sectors, education sectors, media organisations and youth representatives.
Addressing the seminar, the Chief Executive expressed his gratitude to the Central Government's staunch support by sending a high-level publicity delegation to Hong Kong to speak to all sectors of the community on the spirit of the 20th National Congress upon the invitation of the HKSAR Government. The participants and members of the public have benefited greatly by having a more profound understanding of the spirit of the 20th National Congress.
He said, "the report of the 20th National Congress profoundly concluded the great changes and brilliant achievements of our country in the new era in the past ten years. The spirit of the 20th National Congress is vital to the development of our country and Hong Kong, the great rejuvenation of our nation, the steadfast and successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle, and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong."
He put forward "three expectations" for the participants and members of public – firstly, to have a profound understanding of the content of the report of the 20th National Congress, such as the important statements about "one country, two systems"; secondly, to spread the work of learning the report of the 20th National Congress to their respective sectors and different social strata of the community; thirdly, while promoting the spirit of the 20th National Congress, all sectors should leverage the respective strengths in their positions to boost economy, drive innovations, improve livelihood and unitedly contribute to national development and Hong Kong’s advancement from stability to prosperity.
In his speech delivered at the seminar, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Luo Huining, said he hopes that different sectors of Hong Kong society can seize the opportunity of this seminar to persistently promote the effective implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress in Hong Kong. It is important to integrate the embracement of the spirit of the 20th National Congress with the important remarks made by General Secretary Xi Jinping on July 1 in Hong Kong; implement "one country, two systems" accurately, comprehensively and robustly; fully support the Chief Executive and the HKSAR Government to administer Hong Kong according to law; unite all proactive power together to further enhance the progress of nation’s development; to grasp actively the strategic confidence and Hong Kong’s new opportunities, with a view to striving to start a new chapter of “advancing to prosperity” in Hong Kong.
Speaking at the seminar, the leader of the publicity delegation and Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Yang Wanming, said that learning the spirit of the 20th National Congress results in "three certainties" – more certainty of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, more certainty of the steadfast and long-term implementation of "one country, two systems", and more certainty of Hong Kong's brilliant development. He pointed out that the parts about Hong Kong in the 20th National Congress covered the consolidation of Hong Kong's position in various areas including finance, innovation and technology as well as culture, deepening Hong Kong's advantage of enjoying strong support of the motherland, and assuring Hong Kong's success factors including freedom and openness, excellent business environment, convergence of Chinese and Western cultures, and the common law system being maintained. He also said that the HKSAR Government demonstrated a fresh look and started a new chapter for the future of Hong Kong, particularly its firm determination in safeguarding national security and solving deep conflicts. He believed that Hong Kong will proactively integrate into development of national development under the leadership of the HKSAR Government.
Mr Shen emphasised at the seminar that it is necessary to profoundly grasp the theme of the 20th National Congress, that is "holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implementing the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carrying forward the great founding spirit of the Party, staying confident and building strength, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, forging ahead with enterprise and fortitude, and striving in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts." He concluded the historic achievements made by and the challenges overcame in the past five years by the country under the leadership of the Party, and emphasised that "one country, two systems" is a good arrangement that ought to be persisted and improved. In the past period of time, Hong Kong faced great challenges, the situation being complicated by internal and external factors, and worsened with the incitement of forces with anti-China sentiment and interference by external forces. Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee, overall jurisdiction is exercised over the SAR in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, together with the implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law and "patriots administering Hong Kong" principle, a major transition from chaos to order has been achieved.
Mr Xie pointed out that the Central Government adheres to people-centered principle and high-quality development, in accomplishing the modernisation with Chinese characteristics. Mr Xie put forward many relevant economic data to showcase the country's great achievements of economic development since its reform and opening-up – "the country's gross domestic product has increased year by year from 10 per cent of that of the United States in 1996, to 77 per cent of that of the United States in 2021, reaching a gross domestic product of RMB 114 trillion". He also mentioned that it is necessary to establish a modernised industrial system and overcome the bottleneck problems. "If we cannot procure or acquire, we have to breakthrough. We have to inject more power to build up the system, in order to maintain sustainable development of the industry." He said that Hong Kong has achieved a major transition from chaos to order, and has now started the new chapter of advancing from stability to prosperity. Hong Kong should still stay alert to complicated global environment and challenges by adopting bottom-line thinking and leveraging the respective strengths in their positions.
During the interactive session, participants exchanged their views actively. To allow members of the public to learn about the spirit of the 20th National Congress, the Government has arranged RTHK as well as the government website to broadcast live the second seminar. The full version of the second seminar will also be uploaded to the website of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (www.cmab.gov.hk/en/home/index.htm). The HKSAR Government urged members of the public to watch the seminar so as to get a full understanding of the content and significance of the spirit.
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is investigating a rope breakage lift incident that happened on December 1 at Golden Industrial Building in Kwai Chung.
The department received a report from Fujitec (HK) Co., Ltd. on December 1 about a rope breakage incident at Lift No. 5 of Golden Industrial Building Block 2.
The EMSD's preliminary findings revealed that the lift car was stuck in the liftway. As the drive sheave was still revolving, four suspension ropes of the lift were finally broken. The safety gear was activated to hold the lift car at about 8/F. No casualty was reported. The lift has ceased operation immediately.
Fujitec (HK) Co., Ltd. is the lift supplier and the maintenance contractor. The company conducted the last annual examination on November 14, 2022.
The incident lift was manufactured in 1982 and has not been equipped with an obstruction switch which can prevent the suspension ropes and sheave from excessive wear if the movement of the car or counterweight is being hindered. It is one of the seven item recommended by the EMSD for modernisation of lifts. The EMSD appeals to responsible persons of aged lifts to modernise their lifts and install obstruction switches as soon as possible.
To ensure public safety, the EMSD has conducted safety checks on all the other nine Fujitec lifts at the building and all of them were in safe operation condition.
The EMSD will continue to investigate the cause of the incident. The maintenance contractor is required to submit an incident report to EMSD within seven working days (before December 12).
Music talents from Hong Kong and the United States (US) collaborated at the "Hong Kong Journeys" concert at the Kaufman Music Center in New York on December 2 (New York time) to showcase the unique culture and diversity of Hong Kong. Through music and theatre, audiences travelled through time from Hong Kong's modest beginnings to today's vibrant international metropolis.
The concert was presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY) to showcase the rising young music talents in Hong Kong and to foster cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the US. The event was also part of the celebration programmes of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Welcoming guests at the concert, the Acting Director of HKETONY, Ms Erica Lam, said the performance epitomised the cultural richness of Hong Kong by featuring a collection of works inspired by the multifaceted and dynamic city, including its people, natural beauty and unique urban landscape.
"It also celebrated the longstanding friendship and cultural partnership between Hong Kong and the US," she said.
Curated by Grammy-nominated Hong Kong composer Angel Lam, the concert featured a unique form of Hong Kong-inspired chamber music by a stellar group of Hong Kong and international composers, including Chad Cannon, Fung Lam and George Lam. Two compositions – "Postcard" by George Lam and "145 Waterloo Road" by Chad Cannon – were specially written for the concert. Those performing at the concert included harmonica world champion Gordon Lee and violinist Patrick Yim from Hong Kong, and other award-winning instrumentalists based in New York. The performance also presented excerpts from Angel Lam's theatrical work "Lost Shanghai", starring a cast of celebrated Broadway singers.
