Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at North Kwai Chung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Centre at around 11.45am today (August 7), in which a 69-year-old male maintenance worker died. The LCSD has informed the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) and the Police immediately after the accident for assistance and investigation.

     The deceased was an outsourced maintenance worker of the ArchSD. He was carrying out maintenance works of the ceiling on a hydraulic platform at the arena of North Kwai Chung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Centre today. The hydraulic platform suddenly plunged, causing him to fall onto the ground. The LCSD staff immediately called the ambulance and the worker was found unconscious by the ambulance man who arrived at the scene. He was sent to Yan Chai Hospital and was certified dead later.

     The LCSD expressed sorrow on the deceased and extended the deepest condolences to his family. While the cause of the incident is under investigation, the department has immediately suspended the use of all hydraulic platforms of the same model.

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (August 7) announced the implementation of the arrangement for Hong Kong-Macao cross-boundary goods vehicles using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), following the discussions and agreement made between the governments of Hong Kong and Macao.

     The cross-boundary logistics transfer facility at the HZMB Macao Port (the Macao Port transfer facility) will start operation tomorrow (August 8). Hong Kong goods vehicles can transport goods from Hong Kong to the Macao Port transfer facility using the HZMB, as well as transport goods from Macao back to Hong Kong. Macao goods vehicles can transport goods to the logistics facilities at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) via the HZMB, as well as transport goods from Hong Kong back to Macao. This arrangement will provide greater convenience for the trade to transport goods between Hong Kong and Macao. Not only does it facilitate the business development of various industries in Hong Kong, it can also benefit the general public with easier and faster delivery of goods. Besides, the clientele of the logistics facilities of the HKIA can also be expanded with the usage by the Macao goods vehicles.  

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "The relevant Hong Kong-Macao cross-boundary goods vehicle arrangement is an essential measure conducive to facilitating the exchanges between the two places and within the Greater Bay Area, stimulating the economic activities and enhancing integration. It is also a new important initiative to strengthen the logistics facilities of the two places, thereby bringing more convenience and greater benefits to the cross-boundary goods transportation between Hong Kong and Macao which mainly reply on sea transport currently. The governments of the two places have signed an agreement on the arrangement for Hong Kong-Macao cross-boundary goods vehicles." 

     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, "Hong Kong goods vehicles going to the Macao Port transfer facility via the HZMB will enjoy an exemption of the Macao business tax registration and taxes for vehicle circulation; and Hong Kong drivers are also exempted from obtaining the Macao driving licence. The initial daily cap for Hong Kong goods vehicles travelling to Macao is set at around 400 trips.

     The Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, today visited the Macao Port transfer facility with the representatives of various trucking industry associations and goods vehicle drivers associations, with a view to enabling the trade to understand more about the Macao Port transfer facility as well as the operational procedures for Hong Kong goods vehicles travelling to Macao.

     The governments of Hong Kong and Macao will continue to work closely to further promote the logistics business development as well as economic and trade exchanges, thereby facilitating exchange between the two places and maximising the function of the HZMB.

          

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs and the delegation of the Environment and Ecology Bureau began the three-day duty visit to several Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area today (August 7), to learn about the latest development of these Mainland cities in areas such as adoption of new energy transport, clean energy and renewable energy, and technologies for turning waste to energy/resources.

     The delegations arrived in Guangzhou in the morning. They first met with officials of the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province to exchange views on environmental issues between Guangdong and Hong Kong.

     In the afternoon, the delegations visited Yangling new energy eco-industrial park of the Guangzhou Public Transport Group Co., Ltd.(the Group), to learn about the solutions for energy storage, charging facilities and battery swap of public transport vehicles in urban areas. Members observed a number of new energy facilities, such as outdoor cascade battery energy storage facilities, the liquid cooling quick charger and the "integrated micro-photovoltaic storage and charging" demonstration station. They also visited an autopilot mini-bus of the Group.

     The delegations then went to the Guangzhou Public Transport Command Center of the Group, where they visited its latest safety monitoring equipment, integrated dispatch and command centre and smart exhibition centre. Members also received a briefing to understand the Group's development and solutions in new energy transport.

     The delegations travelled to Foshan in the evening. They will visit Nanhai Hydrogen Center in Foshan, hydrogen fuel cell tram and Huawei Digital Power AntoHill Headquarters in Shenzhen tomorrow (August 8).

     The Panel on Environmental Affairs' delegation is led by the Chairman of the Panel, Ms Elizabeth Quat. Other participating Members include Panel members Mr Frankie Yick, Dr Lo Wai-kwok and Mr Chan Pui-leung; as well as non-Panel member Mr Andrew Lam. The Environment and Ecology Bureau's delegation is led by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan.

        

     â€‹The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, together with the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs, today (August 7) began a duty visit to three cities in the Greater Bay Area.

     The delegation first visited the Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province and met with representatives on work related to ecological conservation, environmental pollution prevention, combating climate change, etc, with a view to deepening the exchanges and co-operation between the two places on environmental issues.

     In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Yanling new energy eco-industrial park and Guangzhou public transport command center of the Guangzhou Public Transport Group. They received a briefing from a representative on the operation of electric public transport and electric taxis, as well as their charging facilities, and thus learned about Guangzhou's experiences and practices for the purpose of promoting the development of green public transport in Hong Kong.

     Mr Tse pointed out that transportation accounts for about 20 per cent of Hong Kong's total carbon emissions, and the development of green and low-carbon transport is crucial to achieving carbon neutrality. The Government has announced the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles, the Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035, and Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050 successively. These initiatives cover policy directions and future targets in various areas promoting the adoption of new energy transport technologies so as to guide Hong Kong towards zero vehicular emissions before 2050.

     Mr Tse and the delegation will continue their visit to the Greater Bay Area tomorrow (August 8), including visits to the Nanhai Hydrogen Center and hydrogen fuel cell tram in Gaoming district in Foshan, and the exhibition hall of Huawei Digital Power AntoHill Headquarters in Shenzhen.