The Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (August 24) signed with the Department of Education of Guangdong Province the Framework Agreement on Strengthening Education Exchange and Co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong to strengthen education collaboration between the two places, and support high-quality development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Hong Kong's alignment with national development strategies.
 
     Witnessed by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, the agreement was signed by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the Director-General of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Dr Zhu Kongjun. The Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, also attended the signing ceremony. 
 
     Mr Chan said that the signing of the agreement represents a key step forward in the course of Guangdong and Hong Kong pressing ahead at full steam to promote high-level co-operation and pursue high-quality development. Complementing the national development strategies, including the 14th Five-Year Plan and the GBA development, the agreement aims to facilitate further education collaboration and exchanges between Guangdong and Hong Kong, nurture talent to meet the needs of the social and economic development of the GBA, and make greater contributions to the high-quality development of the country. 
 
     The agreement provides a framework to strengthen education exchanges and collaboration between Guangdong and Hong Kong. It covers initiatives including continuously encouraging collaboration among higher education institutions in Guangdong and Hong Kong on joint provision of education services, joint talent cultivation, and technological exchanges and co-operation; enhancing co-operation on vocational education and further strengthening Qualifications Framework collaboration between the two places; promoting the pairing of sister schools in Guangdong and Hong Kong, facilitating various exchange activities and enhancing the quality of exchanges; and continuously supporting collaboration, training and exchanges among teachers in the two places. 
 
     In addition, witnessed by Mr Chan, Dr Choi, and Dr Zhu Kongjun, the Chairman of the Vocational Training Council (VTC), Mr Tony Tai, and the First-level Inspector of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Dr Zhu Chaohua, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the VTC and the Department of Education of Guangdong Province respectively. The MoU supports Mainland vocational institutions and the VTC to launch different collaborative projects, and supports the VTC to proactively participate in the development of the GBA Vocational Education Park, with a view to strengthening vocational education exchanges between Guangdong and Hong Kong, and jointly cultivating skilled talent for the GBA. 

      

     Police are investigating a murder and suicide case happened in Wong Tai Sin yesterday (August 23) in which an 85-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man died.
 
     At 4.06pm today, Police received a report that the woman was found collapsed outside a unit of Ching Yuk House, Tsz Ching Estate.
 
     Police officers sped to the scene and found the woman lying unconsciously on the ground. Sustaining injuries on neck and head, she was rushed to Kwong Wah Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 4.46pm.
 
     At 5.47pm, officers found the man hanging himself with an electric wire inside another unit. He was rushed to Kwong Wah Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 6.42pm.
 
     Initial investigation revealed that the woman was suspectedly attacked by the man with a sharp-edged object. An axe in suspected connection with the case was seized at scene.
 
     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the causes of their deaths.
 
     Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Wong Tai Sin District is underway.
 
     Anyone who witnessed the case or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 6185 or 3661 6177.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 23) mounted a special enforcement operation in To Kwa Wan and Tai Po to combat claw-machine shops offering counterfeit goods. A total of about 1 600 suspected counterfeit goods and a batch of business-operating equipment, with a total estimated market value of about $300,000, were seized.  

     Customs earlier received information alleging that counterfeit dolls were being offered at claw-machine shops in Tai Po. After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided seven claw-machine shops in To Kwa Wan and Tai Po. A total of about 1 600 suspected counterfeit dolls and toys, 44 claw-machines and seven coin changing machines were seized.

     During the operation, two male shop proprietors, aged 19 and 29, were arrested. An investigation is ongoing. 

     Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement actions to fight against the use of counterfeit goods for the purpose of trade. 

     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since possession of counterfeit goods for any purpose of trade is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for the purpose of trade any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

Attention TV and radio duty announcers:
 
     Please broadcast the following special announcement as soon as possible, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     A fire broke out on a vessel berthed in Kwun Tong Tsai Wan, Yau Tong at 9.39am today (August 24). The Fire Services Department is conducting a firefighting operation. 

     Members of the public who are being affected by the smoke and an unusual odour carried by the wind are advised to close their doors and windows and stay calm.

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 24) that due to inclement weather, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.