The Government published in the Gazette today (August 1) the specified forms of the relevant notices and certificates under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) (the Ordinance).
 
     The Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 (the Amendment Ordinance) comes into operation today, expanding the prohibition on feeding of wild animals to cover feral pigeons (feeding ban); increasing the maximum penalty for contravention of the feeding ban from a fine of $10,000 to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year; and introducing a fixed penalty system for the offence of illegal feeding at the amount of $5,000.
 
     Apart from introducing a fixed penalty system for the feeding ban on wild animals and feral pigeons, the Amendment Ordinance also empowers the Secretary for Environment and Ecology to specify, in accordance with section 22A of the Ordinance, the forms of relevant notices and certificates which shall be published in the Gazette, with a view to enabling necessary formatting revisions to be made in a more flexible and timely manner in future if needed. The relevant notices and certificates include:

(i) in accordance with section 5(2) of Schedule 9 to the Ordinance, the penalty notice that may be given by an authorized officer or specified officer to a person who is alleged to have committed an offence of feeding wild animals or feral pigeons;

(ii) in accordance with section 7(2) of Schedule 9 to the Ordinance, the demand notice that the authority may serve to a person who fails to pay the fixed penalty within the 21-day period, or refuses to accept the relevant penalty notice, for the purpose of demanding payment of the fixed penalty within the 10-day period, and informing him/her of the need to notify the authority in writing within the 10-day period if he/she wishes to dispute liability for the relevant offence;

(iii) in accordance with section 7(5) of Schedule 9 to the Ordinance, the certificate of posting of demand notice signed by the authority, which is admissible in evidence in proceedings relating to the fixed penalty; and

(iv) in accordance with section 11(1) of Schedule 9 to the Ordinance, the evidentiary certificate signed by the authority, which is admissible in evidence in proceedings relating to the fixed penalty.
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will work closely with the relevant enforcement departments to strengthen combatting illegal feeding activities, and will continue promoting the new feeding ban requirements to the public, as well as the negative impacts of feeding feral pigeons and wild animals, in order to safeguard public hygiene and prevent the altering of animal normal behaviours. The Government urges the public to exercise self-discipline and not to defy the law.
 
     Information on the new feeding ban requirements and the other precautions is available on the AFCD webpage (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_fau/con_fau_wild_the.html).

     The Northern Metropolis Estate Naming Competition, organised by the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office (NMCO) of the Development Bureau in collaboration with the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), is open for entries today (August 1). Members of the public are invited to propose Chinese names for two public housing estates to be completed later in Kwu Tung North/Fanling North New Development Areas (KTN/FLN NDA).
      
     The Director of the NMCO, Mr Vic Yau, said, "A number of public housing estates will be completed in the Northern Metropolis, among which the population intake of public housing estates in KTN/FLN NDA will commence progressively from 2026. Through this competition, we hope to raise public understanding of these new communities, promote public engagement and enhance the sense of belonging to the communities among members of the public."

     Located in Kwu Tung North Area 19 and Fanling North Area 15 East, the two estates to be named are scheduled for completion in phases from 2026 to 2027. Being the first batch of public housing estates to be completed in the new development areas, these two estates consist of 18 residential buildings in total, providing about 15 100 rental units and accommodating a population of about 38 000.

     A winner will be selected for each estate and will be awarded a cash prize of $3,000. The winning entries will serve as references for the future naming of the estates concerned by the HA.
 
     Submission of entries will close on September 15. For details, please visit the competition website (Chinese version only) at www.nm.gov.hk/tc/nmenc.

     The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present a special programme, "Cine Memories of the War of National Resistance", at 3pm on September 1 and 8 (Sundays) with free screenings of "Roar of the People" (1941) for audience members to revisit the cinematic classic about the Chinese people's War of Resistance.
 
     The film will be screened at the HKFA Cinema. Admission is free with tickets to be distributed starting from August 4 (Sunday) at the information counter of the HKFA on Mondays and from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10am to 8pm. Each person can receive up to two tickets on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Limited walk-in seats will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and members of the public are welcome to queue up at the 1/F Foyer of the HKFA 45 minutes before the screening begins. Each person can register for one ticket while stocks last.
 
     Starring renowned actors such as Cheung Ying, Fung Fung and Tso Tat-wah, "Roar of the People" revolves around the hardships endured by the grassroots during the war. It tells the story of an intellectual played by Cheung leading a group of workers to foil the plot of corrupted merchants, who take refuge in Hong Kong and collude with military officials to embezzle war supplies and sell them to the enemy. The film is intercut with real footage from the war and is a stellar example of Hong Kong films depicting the War of Resistance.
 
     For programme details, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2024/cmwnr/pe-event-2024-cmwnr.html or call 2739 2139.
 
     This screening programme is one of the activities of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.

    

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 (August 1) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Federal Open Market Committee of the United States Federal Reserve (the Fed) announced early today (Hong Kong time) after its two-day meeting that it had decided to keep the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 5.25-5.5 per cent.
      
     The Fed's future interest rate decisions will be dependent on incoming data, the evolving outlook and the balance of risks. Inflation pressure in the US has somewhat abated lately, and the market expects that the easing cycle might begin soon. Based on the Fed's public communication, a rate cut might happen as soon as the meeting in September. Yet, it remains uncertain whether the pace of easing will follow market expectation.
      
     Hong Kong's financial and monetary markets continue to operate in a smooth and orderly manner. The Hong Kong dollar exchange rate remains stable. The Hong Kong dollar interbank rates will stay relatively high for the time being, while the future rate path remains uncertain. The public should carefully assess and manage the relevant risks when making property purchase, mortgage or other borrowing decisions. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority will continue to closely monitor market developments and maintain monetary and financial stability.