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 (November 13) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
​The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, joined the Chinese delegation to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan.
Upon his arrival in Azerbaijan on November 11 (Azerbaijan time), Mr Tse, together with the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan, met with the Financial Services Development Council and Friends of the Earth (HK) to learn about the outcomes of the side event jointly organised by the two organisations at the China Pavilion in the venue of the COP29 on the same day. They also discussed issues including green finance, green transformation of economies and international carbon market.
Mr Tse and Ms Yan met with the head of the Chinese delegation, Mr Zhao Yingmin, yesterday morning (November 12, Azerbaijan time) to exchange views on the progress of the COP29, the international carbon market, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's work in combating climate change.
Afterwards, Mr Tse held a bilateral meeting with representatives of Bangkok, a member city of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, to share the strategies and experiences of the two cities in combating climate change and to exchange views on co-operation and exchanges between the two places.
In the afternoon, Mr Tse visited the Garadagh (Area 60) Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant to learn about the strategy and progress of energy transition as well as the latest development of and experience in renewable energy in Azerbaijan.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Hong Kong Observatory will hold a side event titled "Climate Action: From Climate Science to Opportunities to Develop New Energy" at the China Pavilion in today (November 13, Azerbaijan time) afternoon. Mr Tse will attend the side event and deliver an opening speech.
    Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (November 13). The arrangements will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.
A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race
    The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from 50 minutes before the start of the first race for day racing, or from 6pm onwards for night racing:
1. Road closure
    Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.
2. Traffic diversions
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Queen’s Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen’s Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen’s Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen’s Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.
B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting
    The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:
1. Road closure
– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen’s Road East.
    In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.
2. Traffic diversions
– Eastbound Queen’s Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.
C. Learner drivers prohibition
    Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:
– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.
D. Suspension of parking spaces
    Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night racing respectively.
    All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.
    Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.
In response to media enquiries on rumours on social media claiming that an explosion had occurred at the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station, a spokesman for the Security Bureau today (November 13) clarified that no notification has been received from the relevant Mainland authorities. After verification with the Nuclear Emergency Committee Office of the Guangdong Province, it is confirmed that the nuclear power station is operating normally. Such a rumour is totally groundless and fictitious.
The spokesman appealed to members of the public to pay attention to announcements released through Government official channels and should not believe any rumour lightly.
The first batch of 207 Hong Kong engineers from the public sector, consultants, and contractors passed the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) engineering "Professional Title" evaluation and obtained corresponding engineering professional qualifications on the Mainland. "Professional Title" is a unique evaluation system for professional qualifications adopted by the Mainland. It is an important benchmark for evaluating the skills and qualification levels of professionals and provides a basis for construction enterprises to recruit and promote talent.
Speaking at the celebration ceremony organised by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers today (November 12), the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the Development Bureau (DEVB) has been dovetailing with the National 14th Five-Year Plan on the strategy of high-quality development of the GBA, and is committed to driving Hong Kong's construction and engineering sectors to seize opportunities to pursue development in the Mainland cities of GBA, thereby better integrating into the national development. The successful completion of the first pilot assessment batch of engineering "Professional Title" qualifications creates more opportunities and favourable conditions for the construction industry to expand the territory of professional services. It reflects the country's support and care for Hong Kong professionals, which is a great encouragement. It also allows Hong Kong professionals to better contribute to the country's development.
Due to differences in systems between Hong Kong and the Mainland, it was not easy for Hong Kong professionals to apply for a Mainland "Professional Title" qualification in the past. With the joint efforts of the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments, a new evaluation mechanism of this qualification for Hong Kong professionals was established last year, and implemented as a pilot scheme in five engineering disciplines, namely civil engineering, geotechnical, highway, electrical and measurement, control and instrumentation. The assessment of the first batch of applications for "Professional Title" qualifications has been completed this year with 207 Hong Kong engineers obtaining Mainland "Professional Title" qualifications that include the ranks of "Professorate Senior Engineer", "Senior Engineer", "Engineer" and "Assistant Engineer".
The pilot mechanism for evaluation of "Professional Title" qualifications is an innovative mechanism for Hong Kong professionals to acquire such qualifications on the Mainland, and represents a major breakthrough in the convergence of the rules between the two places in the area of professional qualifications. Integrating into the Mainland's evaluation mechanism of "Professional Title" qualifications will help Hong Kong professionals gain recognition of their skill levels and qualifications in the Mainland market, thereby creating favourable conditions for the development of Hong Kong professionals on the Mainland.
The DEVB will continue to maintain close collaboration with relevant Mainland authorities and co-ordinate the local construction sector to take forward the relevant work, with a view to achieving the indicators for specified tasks of this year's Policy Address, namely regularising the evaluation mechanism of "Professional Title" qualifications in mid-2025, and extending the mechanism to other construction related professions with the right conditions, such as surveying, architecture, etc.
