    Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-lowering ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 6pm today (July 15) will be cancelled.     If the thunderstorm warning is cancelled and weather conditions permit by the… read more
Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the 21st Century Cup National English Speaking Competition Hong Kong Region Awards Ceremony 2023 today (July 15):
Mr Wang Weiming (Director-General, Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Mr Sun Zhaomin (Deputy Director-General, Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR), Mr Song Lai (Deputy Director-General, Department of Youth Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR), Mr Huang Jingrui (Political Counselor, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR), Mr Zhou Li (Deputy Editor-in-Chief, China Daily Group; Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, China Daily Asia-Pacific), teachers, parents, students, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It gives me great pleasure to join you all today for the awards ceremony of the 21st Century Cup National English Speaking Competition – Hong Kong Region.
It is exciting to see so many talented young people here – at every level of our education system – from primary and secondary school to university undergraduates. And, for the first time, this year’s competition features a kindergarten category, open to all Hong Kong kindergartens.
Each and every one of these students – of you – has a passion for public speaking. And you are not alone.
This year’s competition attracted more than 3 000 students from over 200 schools. That is the largest number of entries since Hong Kong first took part in this renowned national contest six years ago.
To date, more than 10 000 Hong Kong students have participated in the 21st Century Cup, I am happy to say.
The champion of the university category will represent Hong Kong in the National Grand Final later this year. The Hong Kong winner will compete with hundreds of brilliant speakers from across the Mainland.
Our university champion will have plenty of company too. That is because our primary and secondary school category winners will be there, at the Grand Final, as well. They will take part in a National English-Speaking Exchange Programme, a highlight event of the Grand Final.
The Grand Final, together with the Exchange Programme, will enable Hong Kong students to gain valuable experience in public speaking. No less important, they will meet other bright young people shaping the future of our motherland. They will also have a welcome opportunity to tell the good stories of Hong Kong.
For that, and much more, my thanks to the organisers, China Daily Hong Kong and VDO English. Allow me to thank, as well, all the schools, teachers, judges and countless supporters who have devoted their time and energy to making this public speaking event a success.
On the part of the HKSAR Government, we are determined to implement at full steam the Youth Development Blueprint launched last December.
In particular, upon resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the rest of the world early this year, a number of internship and exchange activities outside Hong Kong are being arranged one after another. In the year 2023-24, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau of our Government has pulled together over 41 000 places under a wide range of internship and exchange programmes, with details all available at the one-stop online portal of the Youth Development Commission.
It is my belief, as the Chinese proverb goes, that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (�里之行，始於足下). And I encourage Hong Kong youth to cherish these internship and exchange opportunities to widen their horizons and realise their potential.
My congratulations to this year’s winning students and finalists. Your future looks just bright. After all, our city’s unique advantage is “one country, two systems”, which brings a world of people and businesses alike together for mutually rewarding opportunities. And that can only be realised through clear and compelling communication.
On that note, I wish you all every success, and good health, in the year to come. Thank you very much.
​The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (July 15).
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 –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
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. read more
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded higher than normal air pollution levels since this morning (July 15). According to EPD’s forecast, it is expected that the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at some air quality monitoring stations may reach the “Very High” or “Serious” level later today.
Under the influence of the outer subsiding air of the tropical cyclone near Luzon, the weather in Hong Kong today is generally fine and extremely hot. Light wind is unfavorable for pollutant dispersion. The intense sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity leading to rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. The high ozone level also promotes the formation of nitrogen dioxide.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the tropical cyclone will intensify gradually in the next couple of days, bringing squally showers and thunderstorms. It is expected that air quality levels will improve by then.
With a health risk category in the “Very High” range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public is advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.
The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB website for appropriate measures to safeguard students’ health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows: www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html .
When AQHI is at the “Very High” level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees, such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the “Serious” level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD’s website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541. read more
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 toda… read more