Following are the opening remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session this afternoon (June 18):
 
Fellow citizens,
 
     During large-scale public processions over the past two Sundays, people have expressed in a peaceful and rational manner their concerns about the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and their dissatisfaction and disappointment with the Government – especially me. I have heard you loud and clear, and have reflected deeply on all that has transpired.
      
     The concerns over the past few months have been caused by deficiencies in the work of the SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government over the amendment exercise. I personally have to shoulder much of the responsibility. This has led to controversies, disputes and anxieties in society. For this I offer my most sincere apology to all people of Hong Kong.
      
     Some of those who joined the processions, as well as my police colleagues who maintained law and order, and media workers covering the incidents were injured in the conflicts. I am very saddened by this.
      
     During the several processions, we saw many people who love Hong Kong taking to the streets to make their views known to the Government. Parents took part for the sake of the next generation. Some who usually remain silent, and many young people, felt the need to express their opinions. I understand these feelings.
      
     To those young people who participated peacefully to express their views, let me say I understand you expect your Chief Executive to listen to different voices, and to respect and care for young people.  "Connecting with Young People" was one of my commitments in the Election Manifesto. I know that we all want Hong Kong to be a caring and well-governed society with hope. I know you have different concerns and views about social issues, yet we share the same passion for Hong Kong.  This incident has led me to realise that I need to do more.
      
     I have never spared any effort to serve the public, but this incident has made me realise, as the Chief Executive, I’ve still got much to learn and do in better balancing diverse interest, in listening more to all walks of life, in taking our society forward. 
      
     I truly hope that those injured can fully recover soon, and that the rift in society could be quickly mended. Hong Kong is our home. It is only by walking together as one community and by staying closely connected that we can bring hope for Hong Kong.
      
     Thank you very much.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     Hong Kong Customs and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) mounted a joint operation on June 13 and seized about 50 tonnes of suspected illegal export waste lead-acid batteries with an estimated market value of about $500,000 at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals.

     Officers from Customs and the EPD inspected two outbound containers destined for Malaysia at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals on June 13 and found the batch of waste lead-acid batteries inside the containers.

     Preliminary investigation by the EPD confirmed that the waste was not covered by a valid export permit. The EPD will instigate prosecution against the persons concerned subject to evidence.

     Customs and the EPD have been working closely on risk assessment and intelligence exchange to select suspicious containers for inspection. From July 2018, joint operations by the two departments have resulted in the detection of 73 cases of illegal import and export of hazardous waste. Various kinds of hazardous waste, including waste flat panel displays, waste printed circuit boards, waste toner cartridges and waste batteries, have been seized with a total estimated market value of about $9.5 million. The EPD has successfully prosecuted 18 of the cases. For the remaining cases, investigations are ongoing or pending court trial.

     The EPD has immediately returned the illegally imported waste to the places of origin and notified the local law enforcement authorities for follow-up investigations.

     Customs will continue to step up co-operation with the EPD with a view to curbing illegal hazardous waste import and export activities.

     According to the Waste Disposal Ordinance, it is an offence for anyone to import or export hazardous waste without obtaining a valid permit beforehand. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.

  

     The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) today (June 18) urged eligible persons who have not yet registered as electors to submit applications for new registration by the statutory deadline of July 2 so that their registration particulars can be included in the final register to be released in September this year, and they can vote in the District Council Ordinary Election to be held in November.
 
     "Hong Kong permanent residents holding an identity document who have reached 18 years of age and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong are eligible to register as electors. When registering as an elector, the person will also become an elector in the District Council (Second) Functional Constituency, commonly known as the Super District Council.
 
     "In addition to residential addresses, electors should also provide their telephone numbers and email addresses to the REO, so that the REO can contact them more promptly and efficiently if necessary, and they may receive election mail from candidates via email," a spokesman for the REO said.
 
     The REO continues to implement checking measures in the current voter registration cycle and has issued inquiry letters to some 78 000 electors. To remind electors of the importance of the inquiry letters, all envelopes of the letters are stamped with the prominent reminder message: "Immediate action required. Your voting right is at stake". Using other contact information provided by the electors under inquiry, the REO has also contacted them via telephone, mobile phone short message service, email or fax to remind them to respond as soon as possible. Electors under inquiry are urged to respond by July 2 so that their registration status can be retained.
 
     Application forms for voter registration can be obtained from the REO, District Offices and the management offices of public housing estates. They can also be downloaded from the voter registration website (www.voterregistration.gov.hk).
 
     Completed forms can be submitted by mail to the REO at 13/F, Kowloonbay International Trade and Exhibition Centre, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, by fax to 2891 1180 or by email to form@reo.gov.hk.
 
     For enquiries, please call the REO hotline at 2891 1001.

     In response to online circulation and newspaper reports that registered electors have lost their registration status due to issues with the Immigration Department (ImmD)'s computer system in the course of replacement of smart identity cards, the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) made the following clarifications:

(1) The REO confirms that no registered electors have lost their registration status as electors due to the replacement of smart identity cards.

(2) From December 27, 2018, to May 31, 2019, a total of about 280,000 electors had, in the course of replacing their smart identity cards, authorised the ImmD to transfer their particulars to the REO for the purpose of updating the registers of electors. The REO was notified on June 3 that due to technical issues with the ImmD's computer system, data of only 50,000 electors had been transferred from the ImmD to the REO. The ImmD later transferred the data of the remaining 230,000 electors to the REO on June 5.

(3) The REO is in the process of checking comprehensively the electors' particulars transferred by the ImmD. If the particulars differ from those shown in the register of electors, the REO will contact the electors concerned through different means (including letter, telephone or email) to verify and update their registered particulars in the register of electors. The relevant work is in progress. The REO emphasises that the status of registered electors will not be revoked unilaterally. As at June 17, the REO had finished conducting checks against the particulars of about 20,000 electors. In accordance with the checking results, the registered addresses of about 10 per cent of the checked electors require updating. If electors are in doubt, they may log in to the Online Voter Information Enquiry System (www.voterinfo.gov.hk) anytime to check their registration status and particulars, or contact the REO for enquiries.

(4) The REO calls on electors who have received letters from the REO requesting them to update their registered addresses to respond as instructed in the letter and provide the requisite documents. The REO will also remind and assist the affected electors to change their registered addresses from August 1 to 25 (i.e., from the publication of provisional registers of electors until the end of public inspection), with a view to updating the particulars in the registers of electors in time for the District Council Election to be held this year. This notwithstanding, if the addresses could not be updated in time, the affected electors can still vote in their original constituencies.

     The REO attaches great importance to the accuracy and integrity of the particulars of registered electors. The REO will continue to, through various channels, remind registered electors to report change of registration particulars and to submit address proof upon application for change of registered address. The REO also appeals to all who are eligible to register as electors through various publicity channels.

     The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, attended as a member the first meeting of the task force on the development of an international innovation and technology hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (task force) in Beijing today (June 18) to discuss work related to the development of an international innovation and technology hub in the Greater Bay Area. The Acting Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mrs Millie Ng, sat in at the meeting.
 
     Mr Yang thanked the relevant Central Authorities, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technology, for their staunch support for Hong Kong's innovation and technology development. He also reported to the task force the work progress in developing an international innovation and technology hub in Hong Kong, including the setting up of two world-class research clusters on healthcare technologies and artificial intelligence and robotics technologies, developing technological infrastructures, and facilitating the flow of key factors of scientific research within the Greater Bay Area. Mr Yang said he hoped that the Central Government would continue to support Hong Kong in this regard.