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 5) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

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.

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 5) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police today (March 4) conducted an anti-smuggling joint-operation and detected two suspected smuggling cases using fishing vessels in the waters of Lau Fau Shan. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods including vehicle parts, cosmetics, wines and fruits with an estimated market value of about $550,000 were seized. 

     Customs officers and the Marine Police spotted two suspicious fishing vessels leaving Hong Kong in the waters of Lau Fau Shan this morning and then took immediate action and intercepted the fishing vessels for examination. The batch of suspected smuggled goods was seized on board the vessels.

     In the operation, two male coxswains, aged 52 and 56, as well as two female crew members, aged 46 and 50, were arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Customs and the Marine Police will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat sea smuggling activities. 

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 4) met with the Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC) in Beijing with the aim of strengthening co-operation with the Mainland in the sectors of finance and medicine and to exchange views on follow-up work in the relevant areas of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     Accompanied by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Mrs Lam first met with the Chairman of the CSRC, Mr Yi Huiman, in the morning. Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the Central Government and the CSRC for their long-standing support for Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial centre and global offshore Renminbi (RMB) business hub, noting that the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect, the Bond Connect and the Mutual Recognition of Funds arrangement implemented in recent years have deepened Hong Kong's capital markets. She said that as the country continues to promote the opening up of the financial industry and as more RMB assets are included in major international indexes, Hong Kong's capital markets will be able to play a bigger role and make further contributions. She also expressed the hope that, with the support of the CSRC, Hong Kong will contribute to project financing and risk management of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as better leveraging its financial advantages in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam and the other Hong Kong officials met with the Minister of the NHC, Mr Ma Xiaowei. Mrs Lam said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is committed to promoting innovation and technology, and that healthcare technology has been selected as one of the two research clusters to be set up in the Hong Kong Science Park. Thanking the NHC for its continuing support and guidance, she said she hopes that an innovation system for collaboration in medical services between the two places is made available in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, including the promotion of clinical medical research. Mrs Lam added that the HKSAR Government is actively advancing the integration of Chinese medicine into the local healthcare system, so that it will assume a more prominent role in local public health. She thanked the NHC for its support over the years, and said that Hong Kong will have to draw on the Mainland's experience and strengthen co-operation and exchanges between the two places in Chinese medicine-related areas such as hospital design, manpower training and medicine testing.

     Mrs Lam also gave interviews to several media organisations including China Central Television, Phoenix TV and people.cn. She also toured the Phoenix International Media Center.

     Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Beijing tomorrow (March 5) and will attend the opening ceremony of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress.