Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Finance Minister of Malaysia, Mr Lim Guan Eng, at the Chief Executive's Office this afternoon (September 13).

     Welcoming Mr Lim's visit to Hong Kong, Mrs Lam said she was pleased to meet with him with both of them in different capacities since they met in Hong Kong in 2015, when she was the Chief Secretary for Administration and Mr Lim was the Chief Minister of Penang. She noted that Malaysia is an important member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner. She said she believes that after the Free Trade Agreement and the related Investment Agreement signed last year come into force early next year, co-operation between the two sides will be enhanced. Attaching great importance to the relationship with the ASEAN, she said she has already visited five ASEAN member states since she took office about a year ago and looks forward to visiting Malaysia in the future.

     Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong and Malaysia can explore more collaboration and exchanges in various areas including education and finance. She added that, with Hong Kong's quality education and renowned universities, the Hong Kong Scholarship for "Belt and Road" Students (Malaysia) launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government at the end of 2016 has attracted 20 outstanding Malaysian students to pursue undergraduate studies in the city. She expressed the hope that more Malaysian students will come to Hong Kong to study and engage in research work. Noting that Hong Kong's financial sector is also striving for internationalisation, she said she welcomes enterprises from different countries or regions, including Malaysia, to list in Hong Kong to leverage Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre to develop their businesses.

     Mrs Lam said the HKSAR Government organises large-scale international conferences with different themes every year, including the Asian Financial Forum and the Belt and Road Summit, inviting global political and economic leaders to participate. She said Mr Lim is most welcome to attend these conferences in Hong Kong in the future.

  

     In response to the approach of Super Typhoon Mangkhut, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) today (September 13) announced that the HAD has issued letters to property management associations appealing to all property management companies and residents to take precautions against the tropical cyclone. The District Offices have also contacted District Council members, village representatives, rural committees, owners' corporations, owners' committees, mutual aid committees and resident liaison ambassadors, to seek their assistance in reminding residents to pay attention to the latest information on the tropical cyclone from the Hong Kong Observatory and take precautionary measures.
                
     The HAD's emergency hotline (2835 1473) will be activated to handle public enquiries on the tropical cyclone after Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 is issued. A total of 48 temporary shelters operated by the District Offices will be open for people in need after Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 is issued. Please refer to the annex for details.
                
     The District Offices will pay close attention to black spots and low-lying areas which may have serious flooding, and will take precautionary measures with the Drainage Services Department. The District Offices have contacted village representatives in some flood prone areas for early alert and support on precautionary measures. In particular, the Kwun Tong District Office and the Islands District Office have contacted the resident representatives and village representatives of Lei Yue Mun, Tai O and some outlying islands to seek their assistance in appealing to residents to move to a safe place or temporary shelters. Residents are also reminded to take precautions against the tropical cyclone. Staff of these two District Offices will visit residents together with volunteers tomorrow (September 14) and make further appeals.
                
     In addition, the Islands District Office will arrange for coaches to transport residents in Tai O to nearby temporary shelters this Saturday (September 15), and will provide appropriate assistance to residents.

     Hongkong Post announced today (September 13) that if Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above is issued or in force on September 17 (Monday) and affects the normal business hours (wholly or partially) of the post offices, new stamp sales and hand-back datestamping service for the issue of "The Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link" special stamps will be extended to the following working day. Under such circumstances, the special postmark "The Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link" (bearing the date of September 17) will be extended to the following working day for hand-back datestamping service. However, the office steel datestamp, the GPO-1 postmark, "Philatelic Bureau" pictorial postmarks and philatelic office pictorial postmarks will not be used for hand-back datestamping.
 
     As regards the online shopping platform ShopThruPost, the sales of new stamps will be deferred to the following working day if post offices cannot be open for business on September 17. If signal No. 8 is cancelled before 6.30pm on September 17, sales will start two hours after the signal is cancelled.
      
     For further enquiries, please call the General Enquiry Hotline 2921 2222 or visit the Hongkong Post website www.hongkongpost.hk or the Hongkong Post mobile app.
   

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (September 13) visited Huizhou to meet its senior government officials and call at local enterprises to keep abreast of the latest developments in the technology industry.
      
     In the morning, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Huizhou, Mr Yu Jinfu, Mr Chan visited two Hong Kong enterprises to learn about their successful experience in developing new technologies and promoting the development of advanced manufacturing. He also exchanged views with the management on the opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The two enterprises specialise in alloy die casting and plastic mould injection, and manufacturing of cover glass for mobile phones and watches.

     This afternoon, after paying a visit to a company manufacturing artificial intelligence and Internet of Things products, Mr Chan headed to Huizhou's West Lake to gain a better understanding of the local authority's effort in protecting the natural environment through the use of advanced technology.
      
     Mr Chan said that Hong Kong and Huizhou have long held close ties. He expressed the hope that both cities can enhance collaboration in various industries in the future to seize opportunities brought about by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
      
     Noting that the Bay Area houses many leading innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises and that Hong Kong boasts world-class financial services and scientific research capabilities, he pointed out that Hong Kong can complement other cities in the Bay Area in building an international I&T hub that draws talents, research and development institutes and enterprises.
      
     Mr Chan returned to Hong Kong in the evening after attending a dinner with the Mayor of Huizhou, Mr Liu Ji.