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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (February 15) 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.

     Hongkong Post announced today (February 15) that the 2018 Prestige Annual Stamp Album and the 2018 Annual Stamp Pack will be released for sale at all 38 philatelic offices and the PostShop at the General Post Office, as well as through "ShopThruPost" (www.shopthrupost.hk), from February 21 (Thursday).
 
     A wide variety of stamps is issued by Hongkong Post every year, each with a unique design and all featuring interesting themes, to capture the attention of stamp collectors and the general public alike. Though small in size, stamps are miniature wonders that are rich in meaning. The stamp issues released by Hongkong Post in 2018 were diverse in theme, commemorating some of the key events of the year and introducing a range of interesting subjects on historic moments and heritage, art and culture, infrastructure and the uniqueness of Hong Kong.
      
     The 2018 Prestige Annual Stamp Album, priced at $588, contains a comprehensive collection of the special and commemorative stamps, souvenir sheets and stamp sheetlets issued by Hongkong Post in 2018. The 2018 Annual Stamp Pack, priced at $218, contains all special and commemorative stamps issued by Hongkong Post during the year. Designed with the concept of a travel journal, the 2018 Prestige Annual Stamp Album and 2018 Annual Stamp Pack present the special and commemorative stamps as if they were collected on a journey in 2018. Browsing through this collection of stamps, it is possible to look back on the major events of the year, recall the fun and laughter of the festive occasions, and expand horizons and knowledge.
 
     Information about the 2018 Prestige Annual Stamp Album and the 2018 Annual Stamp Pack is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk and via the Hongkong Post mobile app.

  

     Some 450 guests attended a spring reception in Tokyo, Japan, today (February 14) organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) to celebrate the Year of the Pig.

     Speaking to guests from various sectors including the Japanese political and business circles, academia, the media and community groups, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Shirley Yung, pointed out that Hong Kong and Japan have been enjoying close relationships on many fronts.

     "Japan is our fourth largest trading partner and Hong Kong is Japan's eighth largest. Hong Kong and Japan are each other's fourth largest source market of tourists, with 2.2 million Hong Kong visitors coming to Japan last year. About 1,400 Japanese companies have set up businesses in Hong Kong, forming the largest group of overseas companies," she said.

     Ms Yung added that 2019 has been designated as Hong Kong – Japan Tourism Year, and encouraged Japanese people to take this special opportunity to visit Hong Kong.

     "Over the past few years, we saw increasing connectivity between Japan and Hong Kong. There are now over 450 direct flights every week connecting Hong Kong with 16 destinations in Japan," she added.

     The spring reception was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. To promote Hong Kong's arts and music talent, Hong Kong music group Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble was invited to perform at the reception.

            

     Following the meeting with about 30 Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress on February 12, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by Secretaries of Departments and a Director of Bureau, met with more than 80 Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) today (February 14) to listen to their views on Hong Kong's integration with the overall development of the nation and its active participation in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
     Mrs Lam said that with the concern and support of the leaders of the Central Government, Hong Kong has made good progress in various areas in the past year and that she was very encouraged by it. Those areas include Hong Kong's active participation in and contribution to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative; strengthening of co-operation with the Mainland in innovation and technology; seeking of measures to assist Hong Kong residents in studying, working and living in the Mainland; and enhancement and implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. In particular, she said that the long-anticipated Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will be promulgated within days, making 2019 the opening year of the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. She encouraged the members of the CPPCC to actively express their views and propose feasible initiatives.
 
     In addition, given that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Mrs Lam said the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will organise a series of celebration activities and that she welcomes organisations and other bodies to which the CPPCC members belonged to hold celebrations to share the joy with members of the public.

  

     Hong Kong Customs today (February 14) seized about 40 kilograms of suspected rhino horns, a record high seizure of rhino horns detected from arriving air passengers, with an estimated market value of about $8 million at Hong Kong International Airport.
           
     Customs officers intercepted two male passengers, aged 28 and 33, at the airport this morning. The two men arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa. They were planning to transit to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, by air.
           
     During Customs clearance, suspected rhino horns were found in their two check-in carton boxes. The two men were then arrested.
               
     The cases were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
           
     To provide a stronger deterrent against the smuggling and illegal trading of endangered species, the penalties under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance have been increased drastically since May 1, 2018. Any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.  

     On February 8, 2019, two defendants were sentenced for 16 months imprisonment in the District Court for smuggling about 24kg and 17kg of agarwood. It was the heaviest sentence handed down so far for illegal import of endangered species under the present Ordinance.

     Customs and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department reminded citizens not to illegally import or export any endangered species.

     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).