Police are investigating a murder, arson and attempted suicide case in Central today (July 24) in which a woman died.

     At around 1pm today, Police received multiple reports of a suspected fire and dense smoke emitting from a unit on 10 Kotewall Road, Central. Police officers and firemen sped to the scene. After firemen forcibly opened the door and extinguished the fire, a 57-year-old woman was found in the living room and a 66-year-old man in the bathroom. Both parties were rushed to Queen Mary Hospital in unconscious state and the woman was later certified dead at 1.41 pm.

     Initial investigation revealed that the man is suspected of setting the unit on fire in a suicide attempt, which led to the death of his wife who was in the same unit.

     A suicide note and suspected accelerant, which are believed to be related to the case, were seized at scene.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death.

     Active investigation by the Crime Headquarters, Central District is underway.  

     Additionally, two firemen felt unwell and were sent to Queen Mary Hospital in conscious state for medical treatment. Around 30 residents were evacuated to places of safety in the incident.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to Beijing today (July 24).
 
     Mr Chan and the group called on the leadership of various Central Authorities related to finance and financial services, including the Deputy Director in charge of routine work of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs and Director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, Mr Han Wenxiu; the Governor of the People's Bank of China, Mr Pan Gongsheng; the Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Mr Wu Qing; and the Director of the State Taxation Administration, Mr Hu Jinglin. During the meetings, Mr Chan introduced the latest economic and financial situations of Hong Kong. He also highlighted the work and progress of Hong Kong in safeguarding financial security as well as promoting sustainable development in the fields of finance. They also discussed and exchanged views on various issues, including implementing measures to deepen mutual access between the Mainland and Hong Kong financial markets; promoting Renminbi internationalisation in a steady, orderly and sound manner; promoting financial co-operation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; strengthening financial regulation and tax co-operation, and more.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Chan and the group also met with the Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, Ms Wang Xiaoping. They exchanged views on how Hong Kong's capital market could promote the development of pension finance on the Mainland, and enhancing co-operation in such areas as talent flow and youth development between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The Chairman of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA), Mrs Ayesha Macpherson Lau, and the Managing Director of the MPFA, Mr Cheng Yan-chee, also joined the meeting.
 
     Mr Chan finished his visit to Beijing this evening and will return to Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Chan said, "I led a delegation comprising major officials in charge of the financial system to visit Beijing. We called on the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, and deepened our understanding of the spirit of the Third Plenary Session, which enables us to better plan and promote the work of advancing the city's economic development and prosperity. We also met with the leadership of finance-related Central Authorities to promote closer working relationships. During the meetings, we discussed the enhancement of financial and economic co-operations between the two places, and explored specific measures that would benefit the high-quality opening up of the country’s financial markets and promote the development of Hong Kong's financial services. We are deeply grateful for our country’s love and staunch support for Hong Kong, and to various Central Authorities for expressing their care and support to us. We hope to expedite the implementation of various measures with relevant Mainland organisations.
 
     "Under the staunch support of the country and the leadership of the Chief Executive, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will do our best to implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee through solid work.  We will strive for innovations and embrace changes amid the complex and volatile environment, promote better integration into the overall development of the country, and align with national development strategies.  We will also strive to reinforce and enhance the status of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, and expedite the development of new quality productive forces, so as to make new and greater contributions to the Chinese Path to Modernisation, and achieve higher quality development for Hong Kong."

        

     Hong Kong Customs today (July 24) held the Certificate of Appointment Presentation Ceremony of World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Private Sector Group (RPSG) – Asia Pacific (AP) at the Customs Headquarters Building. The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, in the capacity of WCO Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific (A/P) Region, officiated at the ceremony and presented appointment certificates to six members from various sectors in Hong Kong.

     The WCO RPSG – AP was established in 2021 as a consultative platform within the A/P region of the WCO to provide advice on customs affairs and international trade matters from the perspective of the private sector. The Group consists of 30 members and will serve for a three-year term. The second term commenced on July 1 this year, with 30 members coming from different sectors, including manufacturing, import and export and logistics, e-commerce and natural resources, in 13 countries or economies. This is the first time that Hong Kong enterprises and institutions have joined the WCO RPSG – AP.

     Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Ms Ho said that one of the fundamental roles of customs authorities is to connect and collaborate with customs organisations globally. She firmly believes that the success of this endeavour depends on the efforts to strengthen relationships with private industries, which are essential to address challenges brought by complex global situations. She expressed deep gratitude to the six newly joined Hong Kong enterprises and institutions, which come from different sectors, including logistic and business associations, e-commerce platforms, high-end electronic devices and information technology, metal resources, and health supplements. She believed that their participation could foster closer co-operation between customs authorities and the private sector, and create a more robust partnership between Hong Kong enterprises and other A/P economies. By assisting more local companies to "go global", further economic and international trade opportunities will be uncovered across A/P and international markets.

    

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (July 24).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

     Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (August).
 
     Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.
 
     Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in August 2024:
 
San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
————————————-
 

 
Tsing Shan Firing Range
——————————-