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

     The Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene (the Panel) will depart for Nanjing and Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, tomorrow (August 21) to conduct a four-day duty visit.
 
     The objectives of the duty visit are for Members to understand the policy measures and latest situation in the relevant province and cities regarding the development of agriculture and fisheries, the regulation and the publicity and education in respect of food safety, as well as urban and cityscape management. Members will also take the opportunity to visit agricultural and fisheries enterprises to gain insight into their aquaculture and production technologies, as well as experience in enhancing food safety. During the visit, Members will exchange views with representatives of municipal governments.
 
     The delegation will visit the following places and organisations from August 21 to 24:
 

• Jiangsu Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development
• Jiangsu Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
• Nanjing Customs District
• Nanjing urban operation management centre
• Hongmiao Street, Xuanwu District, Nanjing
• Yangzhou Jiangdu Modern Agricultural Industrial Park
• Agricultural and fisheries enterprises

 
     The delegation is led by the Chairman of the Panel, Mr Yang Wing-kit. Other participating members include the Deputy Chairman of the Panel, Mr Leung Man-kwong, and Panel member Ms Doreen Kong, as well as non-Panel members Mr Paul Tse, Mr Tony Tse and Mr Gary Zhang.
 
     At the invitation of the Panel, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, will lead a Government delegation to join the duty visit.

     Hongkong Post announced today (August 20) that selected philatelic products issued by China Post, Macao Post and Telecommunications and the postal administrations of Australia, Canada, France, Isle of Man, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will be available for sale from August 22 (Thursday).
 
     China Post issued the "World Cultural Heritage – Ancient City of Ping Yao" stamps. The Ancient City of Ping Yao, with a history of over 2 800 years, was inscribed onto UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1997. The stamps showcase the cityscape of this well-preserved city. Meanwhile, Macao Post and Telecommunications released a number of stamp sets and sheetlets, including the "150th Anniversary of Conde de Sao Januario General Hospital" commemorative stamps, which provide the public with an in-depth understanding of the evolution and development of the hospital; the "140th Anniversary of Macao Post and Telecommunications" stamps, which showcase the four major service areas to celebrate its 140th anniversary; and the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Macao" stamps, which feature intangible cultural heritage items of rich historic and cultural values that have been passed down through generations in Macao.
 
     La Poste issued a stamp depicting a baguette decorated with a red, white and blue ribbon. The stamp is printed with a special ink that provides the fragrance of baguette when scratched, showcasing the feature of this intangible cultural heritage. To celebrate Letter Writing Day, Japan Post released a stamp set capturing various items related to postal delivery and transportation. New Zealand Post launched a stamp collection in celebration of the MÄ�ori New Year. Enthusiasts of these local cultures must not miss these highly collectible philatelic products.
 
     Meanwhile, Australia Post released a stamp issue on the theme of "A Free Press: 200 Years" featuring two newspapers published in 1824, which were crucial in helping establish the free press in Australia. Isle of Man Post Office's "Marine Mosaics" stamp issue presents a selection of fish species depicted in mosaics that hold special significance to the local people. Royal Mail launched the "Peppa Pig" stamp set to mark 20 years of this animation.
 
     The selected philatelic products will be available for sale at the Hongkong Post online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) starting from 9 am on August 22, while stocks last. These products will also be available at the PostShop of the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office and Sha Tin Central Post Office on the same day. Details of each product, the prices and sales quotas are set out in the Appendix. For further information, members of the public may visit the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or call the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.

                                      

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 20) that due to big waves and inclement weather, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District, and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

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 20) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/beach_quality/forecast_system.html), the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index for Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, and Ting Kau Beach in Tsuen Wan District is 4, which means the predicted water quality at these beaches is "Very Poor" due to potential transient water quality fluctuations caused by heavy rain. Red flags have been hoisted, and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (August 20) will be cancelled.

     If the thunderstorm warning is cancelled and weather conditions permit by then, the flag-raising ceremony may be resumed without further notice.