â€‹Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, at the ceremony of Asia+ Festival 2024 cum Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances 2024 today (November 10):
 
Dear Consuls-General, representatives of overseas cultural organisations, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon.
      
     Welcome to the Asia+ Festival 2024. It gives me great pleasure to address you at the second edition of Asia+ Festival, and welcome you to today’s carnival that showcases the charm of different cultures in Asia and beyond.
      
     Inaugurated last year, Asia+ Festival is a new platform for cultural and artistic exchange that celebrates the cultural diversity of Asia, the Middle East and Belt and Road regions. We are honoured to see the recognition of the Festival as one of the items in the list of "People’s Livelihood and People-to-people Connectivity Projects" in the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
      
     The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi in 2013, has opened up a new path for international exchanges and co-operation. Thanks to the unique "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys unparalleled connectivity with both the Mainland and the rest of the world, and is actively developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
      
     The Asia+ Festival aims to establish itself as an international cultural brand that contributes to cultural bonding and integration between countries and regions. To achieve this goal, the Asia+ Festival goes one step further this year, featuring distinguished artists from nearly 30 countries across Asia, the Belt and Road regions and beyond, and offering more than 100 performances and activities. The number of participating countries and programmes has significantly increased compared with last year, with a projected attendance of over 100 000. The second edition also extends its reach to new venues and introduces more outreach activities to engage local communities more extensively.
      
     I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you, Consuls-General and representatives of overseas cultural organisations in Hong Kong, for your support for this Festival and the fascinating programmes you have contributed. I wish the Festival a great success and all of you a delightful afternoon. Thank you.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (November 10) that the red flag at Deep Water Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, has been lowered.

     The red flag was hoisted earlier due to big waves.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (November 12) to consider an application for renewal of a liquor licence.

     The application is:

New Territories:
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"ChaKee" in Tuen Mun

     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

     â€‹To show care and respect for the elderly, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has organised a joint concession programme with the local catering sector, retail and other merchants to offer special discounts and concessions to Senior Citizen Card (SCC) holders on Senior Citizens Day next Sunday (November 17).  

     The SCC Scheme was launched on April 1, 1994 with an objective to promote care and respect for the elderly. Under the Scheme, SCCs are issued to Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above to facilitate their access to concessions or privileges offered by government departments, public organisations and merchants. The SCC Office has issued more than 2.5 million SCCs up to now.

     An SWD spokesman said that over 400 participating organisations and merchants with more than 1 800 restaurants, retail shops and service merchants throughout the 18 districts will display a publicity poster for the privileges on Senior Citizens Day (see Attachment).  SCC holders can simply scan the QR code on the publicity poster to learn about the participating companies and special offers. The information is also available on the SWD website (www.swd.gov.hk) and the Scheme's mobile application.

     The SWD expresses gratitude to different sectors' enthusiastic support and encourages SCC holders to enjoy the discounts and privileges on Senior Citizens Day. The SWD also welcomes more merchants from different business sectors to support and join the Senior Citizen Card Scheme.

     For enquiries on the concessions, please contact the Senior Citizen Card Office on 2152 2847 during office hours.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     As the Standby Signal No.1 has been issued, the Marine Department reminds vessel owners, masters and persons-in-charge of vessels that they should take precautionary measures immediately and properly secure their vessels at safe locations.

     In case of an accident, a report should be made immediately to the Vessel Traffic Centre at 2233 7801.