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 (July 20) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at  Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

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 (July 20) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach, Shek O Beach and Stanley Main Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hap Mun Bay Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     A special three-day showcase, "Heart of the Richmond: Stephen Chow Film Festival", where the cinematic genius of Stephen Chow was celebrated with seven of his most iconic films, was held at the Balboa Theater in the Richmond district in San Francisco, California from July 12 to 14 (San Francisco time). Nearly 1 500 attendees enjoyed Chow’s classics over the summer weekend. The festival was the first collaboration between the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco); the Office of Supervisor Connie Chan; Balboa Theater; and Another Planet Entertainment.

     Paying tribute to one of Hong Kong's most well-known filmmakers, the festival allowed audiences to revisit Chow’s unique blend of humor and creativity through a curation of timeless hits. The line-up included Chow’s international breakthrough "Shaolin Soccer"; Golden Globe-nominated "Kung Fu Hustle"; Chinese New Year family comedy "All's Well Ends Well"; crowd-pleasing culinary drama "The God of Cookery"; Chinese literature parody "Flirting Scholar"; as well as East-meets-West cult classics "A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora's Box" and "A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella".

     At the opening reception on July 12, the Director of the HKETO San Francisco, Ms Jacko Tsang, delivered welcome remarks. She said, "One of our office’s missions is to foster cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the western United States. This is why we are excited to bring the films of Stephen Chow to San Francisco. His films have become a cultural phenomenon in Hong Kong and beyond, and occupy a unique place in Hong Kong cinema. This festival offers audiences the chance to experience the timeless classics of Chow on the big screen. We hope audiences in the San Francisco Bay area will enjoy his films with a good laugh."

     San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan also welcomed the community with introductory remarks at the reception. "I am excited that we could showcase Hong Kong filmmaker and actor Stephen Chow's globally celebrated, locally loved cinematic talent at the Richmond district's storied Balboa Theater this summer, said Supervisor Chan.

     "I am excited to share these films, in their original Cantonese, with San Francisco. Bringing together film lovers and Chinese speakers to enjoy the show, help boost our small businesses, and bring community enrichment to our neighborhood."

     The opening reception featured a traditional kung fu performance and Chinese calligraphy. The subsequent screening of "Shaolin Soccer" was well attended by movie lovers who filled the two-house theater. Special guests included the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Mr Aaron Peskin, and Assistant Director of "Shaolin Soccer" Rainy Zhao.

        

     Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (July 20). They are, on Hong Kong Island, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hong Kong Limited; in Kowloon, Community Med Care; and in the New Territories, Hong Kong Women Development Association Limited, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.
      
     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people to distinguish among the three flag-selling activities.    
      
     Information on the three flag-selling organisations on July 20 is as follows:
 

 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
      
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.