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 (February 25) 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.

     Photography enthusiasts are invited to join the "When Dreams Blossom" photo competition, which is to be held in conjunction with the annual spectacular Hong Kong Flower Show in March.
 
     The competition is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB). It aims to promote the awareness of greening with impressive photographs of flowers and plants on display, interesting or touching scenes captured at the showground, and portraits of TVB artistes and Miss Hong Kong 2018 titleholders with gorgeous garden displays as a background.
 
     The competition is divided into three categories. Category A, "Portrait of TVB Artistes and Miss Hong Kong", comprising Open and Student Sections, will hold its shooting session at 3.30pm on March 14 at Victoria Park. The shooting session will last about an hour.
 
     Entrants in Category A may enrol in person at any LCSD Leisure Link outlet from today (February 25) to March 13. The maximum number of entrants is 1,000. Entrants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry fees are $50 for the normal rate and $25 for students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and persons with disabilities.
 
     It is not necessary to apply in advance for Category B, "Flowers", and Category C, "Snapshots". However, entrants are required to pay admission fees for taking photographs at the showground during the show period. Photographs must be related to this year's Hong Kong Flower Show.
 
     All entries must be submitted by mail or in person by 6pm on April 16 to the Secretariat, Hong Kong Flower Show, 11/F, Leisure and Cultural Services Department Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin.
 
     For details of the photo competition, please refer to the leaflets and entry forms available at the flower show webpage www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2019/photo_rs.html. For enquiries, please call 2601 8260.
 
     Featuring the main theme "When Dreams Blossom" and with the Chinese hibiscus as the theme flower, this year's flower show will be held in Victoria Park from March 15 to 24 from 9am to 9pm daily.
 
     The flower show is organised by the LCSD. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is supporting the flower show for the seventh consecutive year and has been the Major Sponsor of the flower show since 2014. The photo competition is sponsored by Vitec Imaging Distribution (HK) Limited and Tamron Industries (Hong Kong) Limited.
 

     The Henan Liaison Unit (HALU) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government moved to its long-term office today (February 25). The new address and detailed contact information is as follows:

Address: Unit 23A01, Block A, Kai Xuan Plaza, junction of Huayuan Road and Nongke Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan Province

Tel: (86-371) 6123 1206

Fax: (86-371) 6123 1213

Email: halu@wheto.gov.hk

Website: www.wheto.gov.hk

     The HALU, under the purview of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan of the HKSAR, commenced operation in September 2016. It strives to strengthen Hong Kong's connections with Henan Province as well as its municipalities; promote economic and trade relations with Henan Province; organise activities to promote Hong Kong's advantages; liaise with Hong Kong people or groups living, working or studying in Henan Province; and provide support to Hong Kong residents and enterprises in the area.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will depart for Bangkok, Thailand on February 27 to officiate at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok to be held the next day. She will then leave for Beijing to attend the second plenary meeting of the leading group for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area on March 1 and the opening ceremony of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress on March 5.

     During her stay in Bangkok, Mrs Lam will also meet with senior officials of the Thailand government, address a business seminar co-hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, and officiate at the opening ceremony of collaboration activities of Zuni Icosahedron, a Hong Kong arts group, and the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will join the visit.

     Mrs Lam will depart Bangkok in the evening on February 28 for Beijing. While in Beijing, she will also attend a ceremony marking the donation by Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation to the Palace Museum, call on the central ministries and take part in visits and exchange activities in various organisations. The Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will accompany Mrs Lam during the trip and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, will join part of the programme.

     Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the morning on March 7. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be the Acting Chief Executive.