The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, and Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Mr Tao Yongxin, leading delegations of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Shenzhen respectively, held the third meeting of the Task Force for Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation on Cross-Boundary Railway Infrastructure in Shenzhen today (November 21).

     At the meeting, both sides discussed the progress of the work of cross-boundary railway projects, including deliberation of the findings of the second-stage study of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) (HSWRL) and the arrangements for the implementation of the Northern Link (NOL) Spur Line. Both sides agreed to jointly set up an Office for Implementing Cross-boundary Railway Projects by the relevant departments of the governments of the two places to take forward the planning and design of the next stage of the HSWRL and the NOL Spur Line projects, and to set up a Legal Group to focus on the study and discussion of the legal issues involved in the two projects.

     Mr Lam said, "Since its establishment, the Task Force has been working closely together to conduct in-depth studies on cross-boundary railway infrastructure and diligently planning for relevant railway projects, with a view to better facilitating Hong Kong's integration into the development of the Greater Bay Area. Upon completion, the HSWRL and the NOL Spur Line will also serve as parts of an important transport backbone for the Northern Metropolis."

     Representatives of the HKSAR Government attending the meeting today included officials from the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Highways Department, the Planning Department and the Transport Department.

     To further enhance the connectivity of the Greater Bay Area's infrastructure, the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen established the Task Force for Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation on Cross-Boundary Railway Infrastructure in August 2021 to jointly develop the "GBA on the Rail" and to take forward the HSWRL and the NOL Spur Line projects.

    

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 21) that in view of notifications from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan, and outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Ganghwa-gun of Incheon Province and Eumseong-gun of Chungcheongbuk-do Province in Korea, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 2 000 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 227.42 million poultry eggs from Japan, and about 20 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 15.52 million poultry eggs from Korea in the first nine months of this year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Japanese and Korean authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (November 21) chaired the 23rd meeting of the Commission on Children.
 
     At the meeting, members were briefed by the Education Bureau on the 4Rs Mental Health Charter (4Rs Charter) and its implementation progress. To foster students' physical and psychological health, the 4Rs Charter commenced in the 2024/25 school year by the Education Bureau. The 4Rs refer to four core elements for promoting mental health, namely Rest, Relaxation, Relationship and Resilience. Schools participating in the 4Rs Charter will set practical and feasible goals, and take concrete actions to foster mental health at schools in a more comprehensive and systematic manner, thereby enhancing students' healthy development. 
 
     Members were also updated by the Hong Kong Police Force on the prevention and support services provided for handling school crises. The Police Negotiation Cadre has been conducting school talks for teachers and students since 2007 and published the "Practical Guideline for Crisis Management at Schools" in April this year, with a view to sharing practical knowledge on school crisis management and effective communication skills in dealing with crises, enhancing the capability building of gatekeepers, and promoting the mental health of teenagers while resolving campus crises in collaboration with different stakeholders.

     Members expressed high concern about the healthy growth of children. They supported the measures implemented by the Government and offered views on how to effectively promote children's mental health.

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Nanyang Commercial Bank, Limited relating to fraudulent websites, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) held the opening ceremony of the Animal Management and Animal Welfare Building Complex in Kai Tak today (November 21). The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai; and the Director of Architectural Services, Mr Michael Li, officiated at the ceremony.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tse noted that the Complex provides about 270 animal-keeping facilities to receive stray animals or animals surrendered by their owners, more than double the number of the former To Kwa Wan site. Also, more animal quarantine facilities will be provided to shorten the waiting time for people booking quarantine facilities for imported animals. With the Complex commencing operation, the AFCD will further enhance its effectiveness in protecting and promoting animal welfare, controlling local animal diseases, safeguarding public health and implementing animal management measures. 

     Mr Tse added, "The AFCD has reached a consensus with the Macao Special Administrative Region on the quarantine arrangements of imported cats and dogs. Starting from December 1, the quarantine period of cats and dogs imported from Macao will be reduced from current 120 days to 30 days, provided that they meet the requirements for rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titre testing, etc. Together with shortening the 15-month waiting period for quarantine facilities, the time required for quarantine arrangements will be significantly shortened. The new measures uphold the Government's principles of stringently controlling rabies, while using technology to address public demands. The AFCD will announce details on November 26. I look forward to gradually extending the new arrangements to other regions in Group III, further helping pet owners to bring their cats and dogs to Hong Kong."

     The Animal Management and Animal Welfare Building Complex has been designed with sustainable development as its goal, incorporating multiple green features. The Kowloon Animal Management Centre at the Complex was first commissioned in late July to provide dog vaccination and licensing services to the public, while divisions responsible for animal welfare and animal disease testing will also gradually relocate to the Complex.

     In addition, the AFCD will regularly organise animal welfare talks and public education activities at the Complex to promote animal welfare to the public. For details, please visit www.pets.gov.hk.