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.

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Pat Heung this afternoon (May 15) in which a 58-year-old man died.

At about 1.44pm, a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driven by a 58-year-old man was travelling along Kam Tin Road towards Tai Po. When approaching near Wang Toi Shan Lo Uk Tsuen, it reportedly lost control, dashed to the opposite lane and collided with a bus driven by a 44-year-old woman.

Sustaining serious head injuries, the HGV driver was rushed to Pok Oi Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 2.56pm. The bus driver, sustaining head injuries, was sent to Pok Oi Hospital and later transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital in conscious state. Two male bus passengers, aged 33 and 31 respectively, also sustained minor injuries during the accident and were sent to Pok Oi Hospital in conscious state.

Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North is underway.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3800 or 3661 3819.

     Hong Kong Customs today (May 15) seized about 630 kilograms of suspected pangolin scales and 2 660kg of suspected smuggled mercury from a container with an estimated market value of about $1.4 million at the Tsing Yi Customs Cargo Examination Compound. 

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected a 40-foot container declared to contain plastic scrap arriving in Hong Kong from Indonesia. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the suspected pangolin scales and mercury in the container. 

     Investigation is ongoing. 

     Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. 

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for ten years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182, or dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, visited Hangzhou today (May 15), meeting officials of the Government of Zhejiang Province and Hong Kong people doing business in Zhejiang. He also visited emerging and innovative enterprises there.

     In the morning, he visited We Doctor Group and had a meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Group, Mr Jerry Liao. We Doctor Group provides online medical services in the Mainland through a platform connecting hospitals, doctors and patients.

     He then had lunch with Hong Kong business people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Zhejiang Province to learn more about the opportunities and challenges in doing business there. He also updated them on the latest economic situation of Hong Kong.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan visited Alibaba Group and was briefed on the development of the Group’s electronic payment services and online logistics platform in Hong Kong. He said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed in developing innovation and technology as the new engine of economic growth, and attaches great importance to the collaboration with the Mainland in innovation and technology development. 

     In the evening, Mr Chan called on the Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, Mr Zhu Congjiu. Noting the rapid development of Zhejiang Province, particularly in innovation and technology and e-commerce, Mr Chan remarked that Hong Kong can draw valuable lessons from Zhejiang's successful experience. In light of the close economic and trade ties between both places, Mr Chan said he hoped that Hong Kong and Zhejiang can step up co-operation on innovation and technology, financial services, logistics and other areas.

     Tomorrow (May 16), Mr Chan will officiate at the opening ceremony of "Smart Hong Kong, Hangzhou" and witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on co-operation between the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hangzhou Municipal Government.

     He will return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon.

          

     A man who conducted illegal earthwork activities and dumping of construction waste at the conservation area of Nam Sang Wai Outline Zoning Plan in Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long, which is a government land, was fined a total of $28,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 15) for contravening the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) and the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
      
     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said that the department received a report last October from a member of the public about illegal pond-filling activities at the conservation area in Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long. EPD officers conducted a blitz inspection and intercepted a truck which was dumping rubble and debris at the above site, while an excavator was also conducting levelling works by pushing the rubble and debris at the fish pond area. These activities were suspected to have violated the WDO and the EIAO. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the person who was intercepted on-site.
      
     The spokesman said that the area concerned belongs to a conservation area under the Nam Sang Wai Outline Zoning Plan, which aims to preserve the ecological value and functions of existing fish ponds in the area. According to the EIAO, it is an offence to conduct earthworks at a conservation area without an environmental permit issued by the EPD. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and six months' imprisonment. According to the WDO, any person who deposits waste on government land illegally is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment on first conviction.