The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will depart for Sydney, Australia, tomorrow night (March 24) to attend the signing ceremony of the Hong Kong-Australia Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement to be held in the morning on March 26.

     Mr Yau will deliver a keynote speech on the two agreements at a luncheon seminar hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney, on the same day.

     During his stay in Sydney, Mr Yau will have a meeting with Destination NSW to learn about its tourism development strategy. He will also pay a courtesy call on the Chinese Consul General in Sydney.

     Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong in the evening on March 26. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (March 24).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government hosted a welcome home ceremony at Hong Kong International Airport this morning (March 23) to greet the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games on their triumphant return from the Games.

     The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Cherry Tse, extended her warmest welcome to the Hong Kong athletes at the ceremony. Also greeting the athletes was the Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Ms Rebecca Lou.

     Athletes with intellectual disabilities from over 170 countries and regions took part in the Special Olympics this year, held from March 14 to 21 in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. A total of 62 Hong Kong athletes participated in 10 competition events at the Games, namely athletics, badminton, bocce, bowling, football, golf, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming and table tennis.

     The Hong Kong delegation fetched a total of 92 medals amid intense competition, comprising 47 gold medals, 25 silver medals and 20 bronze medals.

  

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 (March 23) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.