Hong Kong residents intending to travel abroad during the summer holidays are reminded to apply early for travel documents.

     An Immigration Department spokesperson said the processing time for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport applications is normally 10 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and general holidays) after receipt of all necessary documents, the application fee and a photograph. Applications in respect of children under 11 years old not holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card normally take 14 working days. As regards applications submitted by post, via drop-in-box or online, processing might take two to three more working days. Applications for a replacement passport due to loss, damage or change of personal data should be made in person, and the processing time may be longer.

     Eligible applicants aged 11 or over may submit HKSAR passport applications at the self-service kiosks at Immigration Headquarters and at all six Immigration branch offices during office hours.

     The spokesperson emphasised that a request for urgent issue of an HKSAR passport will only be entertained in justifiable circumstances. Normally, no priority will be granted to pleasure trippers.

     Applicants who wish to apply for or collect travel documents in person are encouraged to make prior appointments through the Internet (www.gov.hk/tdbooking) or the 24-hour hotline (2598 0888).

     HKSAR passport application forms and information leaflets on application procedures and the requisite documents are available at Immigration Headquarters and Immigration branch offices. For details and application forms, please visit the website (www.gov.hk/passport). Further application details for an HKSAR passport are also available at the Easy Access section of the Immigration Department YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/immdgovhkchannel). Enquiries can also be made by telephone (2824 6111), fax (2877 7711) or email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk).

     At present, 162 countries and territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders. Some places require visitors to have a passport with validity of at least six months.

     Moreover, in order to allow greater travel convenience for HKSAR passport holders, the Immigration Department has co-operated with Korea, Singapore, Germany and Australia, where eligible HKSAR passport holders may use the automated immigration clearance services. For detailed information, please visit the website of the Immigration Department about e-Channel Service for Residents (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/echannel_residents.html).

     Before travelling abroad, Hong Kong residents can use the Registration of Outbound Travel Information (ROTI) service to register their contact details and itinerary. The information they provide allows the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU) of the Immigration Department to contact and assist them in an emergency outside Hong Kong. For more information on ROTI, please visit (www.gov.hk/roti) or call (852) 183 5500. Residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the AHU at (852) 1868.
 

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 (June 13) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Police today (June 13) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin.

     Poon Hang-fong , aged 57, went missing after he left his residence in Fung Tak Estate on April 16. His family made a report to Police on April 21.

     He is about 1.65 metres tall, 68 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a long face with yellow complexion, short black and white hair. He was last seen wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and blue jeans.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or 9020 2746 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Knowledge of Design Week 2018 opening ceremony this morning (June 13):

Eric (Chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre, Professor Eric Yim), Victor (the Chairman of the Knowledge of Design Week Steering Committee, Mr Victor Lo), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. 

     It's a great pleasure to be here for this year's Knowledge of Design Week (KODW).

     Every year since 2006, the global design community has gathered in Hong Kong to take part in Knowledge of Design Week. For the knowledge KODW imparts, certainly. For the wide-ranging connections it delivers. For the direction, the design vision, it offers – to corporations, start-ups and individuals alike.

     Inspiration will surely drive this year's KODW, thanks to a world-class lineup of speakers, a wealth of workshops and forums and all under a "Design for Liveability" theme. One that resonates with the public as well as design professionals.
 
     Indeed, making Hong Kong an even more liveable city is always high on our agenda.
 
     Of course, enhancing a city's liveability is a continuing, ever-evolving challenge for government, as well as the design industry. Especially in a city like Hong Kong, where land resources are so limited. 
 
     The Hong Kong SAR Government produced, after considerable consultation, its Smart City Blueprint in December last year. It maps out development plans for the next five years to enhance the effectiveness of city management and improve people's quality of living and Hong Kong's attractiveness and sustainability by making use of innovation and technology.

     This week's KODW will, no doubt, shed bright light on design's critical role in creating a liveable city. And I look forward to hearing more from the forums and workshops in the coming three days.

     I know, for example, that KODW will feature three speakers from Melbourne, Australia. I'm sure they will share their thoughts on why Melbourne has been named the World's Most Liveable City – and for the past seven years in a row – in the Economist Intelligence Unit's "Global Liveability Report."

     Something to do, perhaps, with the coffee.

     In any case, we are committed to ensuring that Hong Kong is as desirable a city to live in as it is to work in.

     My thanks to the Hong Kong Design Centre for organising Knowledge of Design Week. And I invite you all to take part in December's Business of Design Week, another signature event from Hong Kong Design Week. This year's Partner City, I'm delighted to note, will be Melbourne.

     Thank you.

    

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 (June 13) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lo So Shing Beach and Lower Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District; and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.