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.

     A 32-year-old French male who acted as a check-in facilitator for other persons was jailed for 30 months after appearing in the District Court today (July 30). The defendant pleaded guilty to two charges of conspiracy to obtain services by deception.

     The court heard that a Sri Lankan male attempted to board a flight for Germany at the Hong Kong International Airport (Airport) on November 14 last year by using a French passport and a boarding pass bearing the name of the defendant but was referred to the Immigration Department for examination for the French passport was suspected to be forged. The French passport was later confirmed as a forgery after verification with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao. Immigration investigation was initiated against the defendant as he was identified to be the facilitator of forgery activities. Immigration investigators intercepted the defendant when he intended to depart for Thailand at the Airport on the next day, and found in his possession two boarding passes for Thailand and France. He admitted that he would receive monetary reward and free air-tickets from a middleman for procuring boarding passes and transferring the boarding passes to other travelers. He was aware that the boarding passes would be used by other persons to board flights to Europe.

     The spokesman warned that under the Theft Ordinance, people who, by any deception, dishonestly obtain services from another shall be guilty of an office and shall be liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for 10 years.

     The closing ceremony of the Cross-disciplined Forces Training Programme for Ethnic Minority Youth – Phase 1 was held at Police College, Wong Chuk Hang, today (July 30).

     The three-day training programme was launched at JPC@Pat Heung on July 28, attracting more than 100 young ethnic minorities from 11 different Police Districts to participate. Themed as “community integration”, the programme aims to promote positive values and anti-crime messages to the trainees, and let them learn more about the physical requirements for applying for posts of different disciplinary forces from relevant officers and better plan their career paths.

     The training programme offers a variety of activities, including experience sharing by officers of disciplinary forces (Hong Kong Police Force, Fire Services Department, Immigration Department, Customs and Excise Department, and Correctional Services Department), Bubble Football, rowing competition, camp fire, Silence Workshop, first aid training and visits to the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy as well as the Police College.

     Six trainees from Sau Mau Ping, Tseung Kwan O, Yau Tsim and Western Police Districts were awarded prizes of “Best Trainee” after undergoing the training programme.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Support), Ms Lam Hiu-tong, said that the programme, which was an initiative of the Chief Executive's 2017 Policy Address, aimed to provide disciplinary, physical and team building training to young ethnic minorities to raise their awareness of crime prevention, enhance their sense of social responsibility and leadership skills, encourage them to uphold the values of integrity and honesty, and pay respect to others.

     The training programme will be regularised and held every July and December. Details will be uploaded to the webpage of Junior Police Call (www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/16_jpc/index.html).

  

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, visited Guangzhou and Foshan today (July 30).
      
     To start the first-day programme of his visit to cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, Mr Chan this morning visited an aerial vehicles technology and service company in Guangzhou and was briefed about its business operation, from research, manufacturing, sales and marketing to providing services. He also encouraged the company to leverage on Hong Kong’s strengths in expanding its business.
      
     He then met with the Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Li Chunsheng, and attended a lunch hosted by him.
      
     At the meeting, Mr Chan said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government attaches great importance to the development of the Bay Area.
      
     Noting that the commissioning of the cross-boundary infrastructure projects, such as the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, will make links between Guangzhou and Hong Kong even more convenient, he said he believes this would not only help foster closer co-operation between two places in forging ahead, but also enhance Hong Kong’s integration into the overall development of the country and boost the economic development of the various cities in the Bay Area.
      
     Afterwards, Mr Chan paid a visit to an enterprise specialising in intelligent speech and language technologies, before going to Foshan to call at the Robotation Academy Foshan. Focusing on developing solutions and applications of robotics and advanced manufacturing, the Robotation Academy Foshan is the first of its kind in China.
      
     Mr Chan also visited the HKUST LED-FPD Technology R&D Center at Foshan. Co-initiated by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Nanhai District Government of Foshan City, the Center focuses on technology development for LED (light-emitting diode) and FPD (flat panel display) as well as providing technical services and training to relevant enterprises.
      
     During his meeting with the Mayor of the Foshan Municipal Government, Mr Zhu Wei, Mr Chan expressed hope that both cities can explore more collaboration in innovation and technology to seize the opportunities brought about by the development of the Bay Area.
      
     Tomorrow (July 31), Mr Chan will continue his visit in Jiangmen.
      
     

                

     Hong Kong Customs today (July 30) arrested a female salesperson of a smartphone retail shop suspected of applying a false trade description in the sales of a smartphone, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier conducted a test-buy operation at a smartphone retail shop in Mong Kok. A female salesperson claimed that a smartphone was a brand new product in the course of sale of the smartphone.

     After investigation, it was found that the smartphone was not a brand new product.

     Customs officers today arrested a 55-year-old woman.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested woman has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and appeals to consumers to purchase products at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any person who applies a false trade description to any goods or supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

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