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AFCD to highlight varieties at Local Organic Watermelon Festival

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (July 3) introduced three highlighted varieties of organic watermelons to be sold at the Local Organic Watermelon Festival.
 
     The three highlighted varieties of organic watermelons, namely Hami Yellow Flesh, Super Sweet Black Angel 168 and Diana, were introduced from Japan, Australia and Taiwan respectively by the AFCD in recent years. Being able to adapt well to the local environment and summer climate, and promising good yields of quality fruit of suitable sizes for small to medium-sized families, these varieties have been well received by both farmers and consumers.
 
     Hami Yellow Flesh, a newly introduced variety from Japan this year, is oblong in shape, and features green skin with stripes and yellowish orange flesh. Super Sweet Black Angel 168 is spherical with green striped skin, and its bright crimson-coloured flesh is very juicy. Diana is oblong in shape, and the intense red flesh encased under its bright yellow striped skin is remarkably sweet.
    
     The AFCD has been promoting quality crop varieties in recent years and providing technical guidance to organic farmers on growing watermelon and other crops with a view to strengthening the sustainability of local agriculture. In order to help farmers expand their network of customers and share their harvests with Hong Kong people, the AFCD has been organising the Local Organic Watermelon Festival on an annual basis since 2007. As with last year, the AFCD has also invited all regular local organic farmers’ markets to join the event. Local organic watermelon as well as other seasonal farm produce will be sold in each farmers’ market starting from July. Members of the public are welcome to shop at these markets to support local farming.
 
     The opening dates and times of the organic farmers’ markets in July are listed below:
 

Farmers’ market Location Date Time
Tai Po Farmers’ Market 12 Tai Wo Road, Tai Po July 5
July 6 to 7
Every Sunday in July		 Noon to 8pm
9am to 5pm
9am to 5pm
Central Farmers’ Market Central Pier No. 7 Every Sunday in July 11am to 5pm
Star Ferry Farmers’ Market Central Pier No. 7 Every Wednesday in July Noon to 6pm
Mei Foo Farm Fest Under Kwai Chung Road Flyover (Mei Foo Section) Every Sunday in July 11am to 5pm
Sai Kung Organic Farmers’ Market Sai Kung Waterfront Promenade (near Sai Kung Waterfront Market) Every Sunday in July 11am to 5pm
 
     Furthermore, to enable the public to know more about local organic watermelons and stories of growing them, the AFCD produced a short video to introduce the species and characteristics of local organic watermelons and invited an organic farmer to share his experience. The video has been uploaded to the AFCD’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/afcdgovhk).
 
     For details of the Local Organic Watermelon Festival and arrangements under inclement weather conditions, please visit the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk) or Facebook page. read more

East Asia

Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Happy Valley

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (July 3). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen’s Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen’s Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen’s Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen’s Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen’s Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen’s Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

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East Asia