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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 27) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (August 26) strongly opposes and condemns the Department of State of the United States (US) for attempting to "demonise" the actions taken by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force (NSD) in accordance with the law.

     "Endangering national security is a very serious offence. No country will watch with folded arms acts and activities that endanger national security. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. No matter how the relevant country tried to exonerate the absconders in various forms, means and excuses, it could not change the fact that the persons involved, who have fled overseas, are alleged to have continued to commit offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL), seriously endangering national security. The listing of the persons who have absconded overseas and allegedly committed offences under the NSL as wanted persons by the NSD in accordance with the law, as well as the subsequent further investigation and law enforcement actions, are totally reasonable, rational, legal, and indeed necessary," a spokesman for the HKSAR Government stressed.

     "Hong Kong residents enjoy the rights and freedoms under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other relevant laws. The NSL clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. Any law enforcement actions to safeguard national security will not affect the rights and freedoms concerned that Hong Kong residents enjoy in accordance with the law," the spokesman pointed out.

     "The HKSAR Government solemnly urges the US to discern fact from fallacy, stop immediately their wanton slanders and smears against the NSL and the implementation of the NSL in the HKSAR, and refrain immediately from interfering with the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong matters," the spokesman reiterated.

     "The HKSAR Government will continue to implement the NSL fearlessly, resolutely, fully and faithfully, thereby preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, so as to allow Hong Kong to advance from stability to prosperity steadily," the spokesman said.

     A woman who went missing in Sau Mau Ping has been located.

     Chen Oi-jun, aged 85, went missing after she left her residence in Shun Tin Estate yesterday (August 25) morning. Her family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The woman was located on Yee Kuk Street, Sham Shui Po this afternoon (August 26). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Civil Aid Service (CAS) Cadet Corps held the 138th New Cadets Passing-out Parade at the CAS Headquarters today (August 26). The parade was reviewed by the Deputy Director of Fire Services (Operations), Mr Wong Chun-yip.

     Over 100 cadets were reviewed at the parade this year. Some of them are from schools participating in the 2023-24 School Partnership Scheme.

     Before and after the parade, the Guard of Honour and the Bicycle Demonstration Team of the Cadet Corps performed a flag-raising ceremony and a bicycle show respectively for the guests and parents who came to support the new cadets, showcasing their talents and skills.

     Speaking at the parade, Mr Wong commended the new cadets for their remarkable endurance, perseverance, and co-operation skills. He said he believed that they will become contributing and responsible members of society in the years to come. He also thanked CAS members and instructors for their hard work in nurturing young leaders.

     Celebrating its 55th anniversary, the CAS Cadet Corps has been encouraging young people over the years to participate in activities and training that are beneficial to the development of the mind and body, so they can acquire multifaceted skills while building their confidence and sense of responsibility. The CAS Cadet Corps has spared no effort in promoting national education and national security education as always this year. Apart from fully adopting Chinese-style foot drill and flag raising, it also organised over 30 relevant events for over 3 000 cadets to deepen their understanding about the country and its latest development, thereby fostering their sense of national identity and enabling them to contribute to the future of Hong Kong and the country. The events include Mainland exchange and study programmes, visits to the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks, coastal cleanups by kayaking, and promotional activities on ecological security.

     Recruitment of CAS cadets is open for applications throughout the year. Recruitment details and application forms are available on the CAS website (www.cas.gov.hk).

        

     An owner of a premises was fined $30,000 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on August 23 for the premises being used as an unlicensed guesthouse which contravened the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.

     The court heard that officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department identified a suspected unlicensed guesthouse that was being operated in Lai Chi Kok Road, Kowloon. The OLA officers posed as lodgers and rented a room in the concerned premises. According to the OLA's records, the guesthouse was not issued with a valid licence on the date of lodging. The OLA invoked section 5A(1) of the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, instigated prosecution against the owner of the premises.

     Section 5A(1) of the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance stipulates that if any premises are a hotel or guesthouse while no licence is in force for the premises, each of the owners and tenants of the premises commits an offence.

     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed hotel or guesthouse is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record if convicted. The owner of the subject premises, unless a statutory defence can be established, also commits a criminal offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and three years' imprisonment. A six-month closure order may also be issued for the premises involved in a repeated offence.

     The list of licensed hotels and guesthouses is available on the OLA's website (www.hadla.gov.hk) and the mobile application "Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses" for public reference. Anyone with information about suspected unlicensed hotels and guesthouses should immediately report it to the OLA through the hotline (tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), or by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website, or through the mobile application.