The Kai Tak Sky Garden, situated at the former runway of Kai Tak, opened today (May 21), the Civil Engineering and Development Department announced.
 
     The Kai Tak Sky Garden is Hong Kong's first sky garden built on curved and wavy noise barriers. With an approximate length of 1.4 kilometres and a size of about 2 hectares, the garden, planted with flowers and trees, is a new landmark in the Kai Tak Development. The sky garden will connect to the future Metro Park to the north, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, the Kai Tak Runway Park, the future Tourism Node development to the south, and the planned developments on both sides of the garden and the promenade on both sides of the former runway.
 
     Encapsulating the theme of aviation, the sky garden gives visitors a sense of nostalgia for the old days of the former Kai Tak Airport. More than 80 species of trees and shrubs are planted in the garden, of which the corridor is divided into four zones around the themes of spring, summer, autumn and winter. They show not only the different colours of the four seasons but also the diversity of local plants.
     
     The sky garden has three elevated plazas, namely the Garden Plaza, the Lawn Plaza and the Fountain Plaza, each with unique characteristics. In addition, the Ground Plaza located at the southern part of the sky garden has an amphitheatre that can be used for leisure and recreational activities.
 
     From now to November 30, a time-limited 3D augmented reality mobile application is available for taking interesting photos at the check-in spots in the sky garden, enhancing the recreational experience of visitors.
     
     For more information on the Kai Tak Sky Garden and how to get there, please visit the website at www.skygarden1331.hk.

          

     The Public Offices (Candidacy and Taking Up Offices) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2021 (the Ordinance) has been published in the Gazette and comes into effect today (May 21).
 
     The Ordinance seeks to implement the oath-taking requirements for public officers as stipulated in the Interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China as endorsed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on November 7, 2016, and Article 6 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, thereby fulfilling the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's constitutional responsibility.
 
     The Ordinance clearly explains the meaning of a reference to "upholding Basic Law and bearing allegiance to HKSAR"; introduces the oath-taking requirement for members of the District Councils (DC); specifies oath-taking requirements; standardises the arrangement of oath administrators; enhances the mechanism to deal with breaching of oaths; and introduces restrictions on participation in public elections for related situations.
 
    "Upholding Basic Law and bearing allegiance to HKSAR" is a fundamental obligation and responsibility of public officers. The Ordinance further ensures that the public officers understand their constitutional responsibility, and safeguards that only a person who meets the fundamental requirement of "upholding Basic Law and bearing allegiance to HKSAR" could hold the relevant public office.
 
     A Government spokesman said, "The Ordinance is important and conducive to upholding the constitutional order of the HKSAR, ensuring 'Hong Kong being administered by patriots', and would contribute to the steadfast and successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle."
 
     The relevant bureaux and departments of the Government will implement the relevant oath-taking requirements, including the taking of oaths by DC members, in accordance with the Ordinance.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee originally scheduled for 3pm today (May 21) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex will be held at 3.15pm (or an earlier time between 3pm and 3.15pm).
 

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 (May 21) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 21) 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.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. 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 late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     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.

     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;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling off; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     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.

     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 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.