The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (November 22) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of member of the Committee for the Basic Law Mr Lau Nai-keung.
 
     "Mr Lau had actively participated in public and community service for a long time, showing his care for the country and Hong Kong, in particular in the work on the Basic Law. He served as a member of the Basic Law Consultative Committee before Hong Kong's return to the motherland and had been a member of the Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress since 2007, contributing significantly to the promotion and research of the Basic Law.
 
     "I am saddened by his passing. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family," Mrs Lam said.

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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 22) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Police yesterday (November 21) held the Regional Traffic Day in Kowloon West to raise public awareness of road safety through stringent enforcement actions.

     A total of 238 officers from Traffic Kowloon West and District Traffic Teams of Kowloon City, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po and Yau Tsim Districts were deployed to take enforcement actions at traffic black spots in Kowloon West.

     The operation resulted in the issue of 1,879 fixed penalty tickets and 122 summonses. Among the fixed penalty tickets and summonses issued, a total of 1,741 fixed penalty tickets were issued for illegal parking and the rest were for other traffic offences.

     Police figures revealed that a total of 2,723 traffic accidents involving casualties occurred in Kowloon West in the first ten months of 2018, of which 657 cases involved pedestrian injuries.

     Police will continue to take regular enforcement actions to ensure road safety.

     The Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police, Mr Lo Wai-chung, led a six-member delegation to attend the 87th INTERPOL General Assembly in Dubai between November 18 and 21.

     The governing body of INTERPOL, the General Assembly, meets once a year to discuss and endorse major policy decisions concerning INTERPOL. Nearly 1,000 senior law enforcement officers from 173 member countries took part in the General Assembly.

     Led by Mr Lo, the Hong Kong Police delegation is part of the Mainland delegation headed by the Deputy Head of International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Public Security, Mr Duan Daqi. Members of the Hong Kong Police delegation include Director of Crime and Security, Mr Li Chi-hang; Assistant Commissioner (Personnel), Mr Siu Chak-yee; Deputy Regional Commander of New Territories North, Ms Chan Yee-lai and Senior Superintendent of Liaison Bureau, Mr Liu Wing-yip.

     The theme of this year’s General Assembly is “Policing in the Information Age”. In the General Assembly, delegates discussed and endorsed a series of measures that have strengthened the INTERPOL organisation to better serve the member states and reinforced partnerships, which would continue to enhance the capabilities of INTERPOL in its fight against cross-boundary crimes.

     Meanwhile, Mr Lo had bilateral meetings with Secretary-General of INTERPOL, Mr Jürgen Stock, the representatives from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Netherlands to discuss issues on combating transnational crime, counter-terrorism and international cooperation matters.

     In response to media enquiries about individual Legislative Council  members' request for the Government to review and amend the guidelines of using the Central Government Offices (CGO) East Wing Forecourt (the Forecourt) for public meetings and processions, arising from the judgement handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court (the Court) on the judicial review case concerning the Forecourt, a spokesman for the Administration Wing today (November 21) said that the Government respected the judgement of the Court.
 
     The Administration Wing has been studying the judgement with the Department of Justice and will make a decision soonest possible as to whether to appeal.
 
     The spokesman said, "We respect public's freedoms of speech and assembly. The Forecourt mainly serves as a vehicular access and a passenger pick-up/drop-off point at the CGO, as well as a passageway for visitors and staff of CGO and the Legislative Council Complex.  Hence, there is a genuine need to ensure the accessibility of these routes during weekdays.  The Administration Wing has embarked on a review of the guidelines and mechanism on using the Forecourt for public meetings or processions to see if there is room for improvement and will take into consideration all relevant factors with a view to striking a balance."

     "Pending the completion of the review, the Administration Wing will, in processing the applications for using the Forecourt for public meetings, weigh up the manner, form and impact of each application on the Forecourt operation on a case by case basis.  For enquiry on the use of the East Wing Forecourt for public meetings, please contact our staff at 2810 2827."
 
     The spokesman added that the judicial review case did not cover matters concerning the perimeter fence of the Forecourt.