Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the opening ceremony of the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-France Diplomatic Relations – Evolving Cities: Beijing & Paris exhibition today (July 6):

尊敬的潘雲�副特派員（外交部�香港特別行政�特派員公署副特派員）�Consul General Drulhe（法國�港澳總領事�麗緹）�譚耀宗常委（第�三屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會委員�民主建港�進�盟（民建�）會務顧�）��慧�常委（第�四屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會委員�民建�會務顧�）�陳克勤主席（民建�主席）�周浩鼎副主席（民建�副主席）�譚兆璋教授���嘉賓���朋�：

　　大家好。很開心�得民建�的邀請，與��一�出席這個中法建交60周年展覽的開幕儀�。

　　今年是中法建交60周年的��一年。國家主席習近平指出，中法關係的�特歷�塑造了�立自主�相互�解�高瞻�矚�互利共�的「中法精神�。今年五月，習主席�法國進行國事訪�。中法兩國承先啓後，發表四份���明，並簽署近20項雙邊�作文件，為兩國交��作打下更堅實的基礎。

　　在這個具標誌性的一年，民建�和譚兆璋教授共�主辦今次展覽，我�為具有三��義。

　　第一是彰顯香港的�特地�。香港在「一國兩制�下，展�背�祖國��通世界的魅力。香港市民以至�地訪客，能在香港這個中西薈�的國際都會，��今次展覽深入淺出地�識中法兩國在60年來如何建立全�戰略夥伴關係，我�為這方��常有�義。

　　第二是促進香港與法國的關係。中法兩國的夥伴關係，å°�於促進香港與法國之間的交æµ�å�ˆä½œï¼Œå¸¶æœ‰ç›¸ç•¶çš„啓發性。中法兩國相互ç�†è§£ã€�互利å�ˆä½œç­‰ç²¾ç¥žï¼Œå�‡å¾ˆåˆ‡å�ˆé¦™æ¸¯èˆ‡æ³•åœ‹åœ¨ç¶“貿ã€�文化等領域的關係。香港è�¯å�Œå»£æ�±çœ�和澳門今年五月在巴黎å�ˆè¾¦çš„經貿å�ˆä½œäº¤æµ�會ã€�æ¯�年在港舉辦的法國五月——這些項目正是增進彼此ç�†è§£å�Œå�ˆä½œçš„好例å­�。我期待雙方繼往開來，深化è�¯ç¹«ã€‚

　　第三是拓展愛國主義教育。�培養民眾的愛國情懷，我們必須用好軟性手法，讓他們先�識國家�從而��國家。國家的外交發展，亦是國情的��部分。我相信市民��展覽，能加深了解祖國的外交�就，從而加強國民身分��。

　　在這�，我代表特�政府，多�民建�和譚教授為我們帶來這個別具�義的展覽。我�展覽圓滿�功，大家身體�康�事事順利。

     Now, may I say a few words in English.

     My thanks to the DAB (Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong) and Professor Tam Siu-cheung for jointly organising this inspiring exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations.

     As President Xi Jinping said this year, the unique history of China-France relations has shaped the "China-France spirit" of independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win co-operation.

     In this symbolic year, the two countries issued four joint statements, and signed close to 20 bilateral co-operation documents, to lay a more solid foundation for exchanges and co-operation ahead.

     The thematic exhibition here couldn't be timelier, I am pleased to note. It is particularly meaningful for the exhibition to be held in Hong Kong – a city with the unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland, while being closely connected to the world, thanks to the "one country, two systems" principle.

     This exhibition will guide Hong Kong people and other visitors to gain a quick understanding of how China and France developed a comprehensive strategic partnership in the past 60 years.

     With diplomacy being an important part of a country's development, Hong Kong people can also deepen their knowledge of the motherland's history and, in turn, strengthen their sense of national identity.

     No less important, the partnership between China and France provides valuable insight for the exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and France. I have every confidence that the two economies can forge closer ties in trade, culture, and much more, in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual benefit likewise.

     On that note, I wish this exhibition a big success and all of you the best of health, and business, in the year to come. Thank you.

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (July 6).

     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 –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
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.

     "Customs YES" organised a summer cultural study tour from July 1 to 6, during which 50 members visited Chengdu, Sichuan, to explore the historical landmarks and the Wolong National Nature Reserve and to gain a deep understanding of the country's work in preserving history and culture, and conserving natural ecology.

     On the first day, the tour members visited the China Giant Panda Garden Shenshuping Base in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, where they experienced the work of the breeders and, through close encounters with the giant pandas, gained an in-depth understanding of the importance of conserving endangered wildlife and protecting the environment. The delegation then visited the 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial Museum to observe a moment of silence for the earthquake victims and to learn about the history of disaster relief and reconstruction efforts after the earthquake.

     In Chengdu, the delegation was led by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, and the directors and the presidents of the "Customs YES" Executive Committee and Honorary Presidents' Association, to visit the Sichuan University Museum. They also participated in a lacquer painting workshop on the "Sun and Immortal Birds". Afterwards, the delegation strolled through Jinli Street and enjoyed a performance of Sichuan Opera's face-changing technique, immersing themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese art.

     In addition, Ms Ho led the delegation to participate in the opening ceremony of the 2nd Sichuan-Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan Youth Exchange and Cooperation Week and launch ceremony of "Thousands of Hong Kong Youth Exploring Sichuan". In her speech, Ms Ho said that although the youth from the four regions come from different backgrounds, she believed that through this platform, they could learn from each other, communicate with each other and establish cross-regional connections and friendships.

     On July 5, the Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Control and Enforcement), Mr Mark Woo, led the delegation to visit JD Logistics to gain insights into the enterprise's diversified business areas and achievements in innovative technologies.

     Throughout the tour, the delegation also visited various landmarks in Chengdu, including the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, the Jinsha Site Museum and the Sanxingdui Museum, enabling them to appreciate and understand the glorious history of the ancient Shu civilisation from multiple angles.

     "Customs YES" will organise more exchange activities in the future to deepen young people's understanding of the history and culture of the country, and strengthen their sense of national identity and pride.

                    

     The second phase of the Rule of Law Education (ROLE) Stars Train-the-Leaders (TTL) Programme was officially launched today (July 6) by the Department of Justice (DoJ) to continue its efforts in enhancing the promotion of rule of law education in the community on all fronts. The two-day foundation course of the Programme provides training to about 120 trainees, who are local secondary school teachers, about knowledge on the rule of law in a diversified, interactive, interesting, down to earth and easy-to-understand manner, to enhance their capability for and effectiveness of the promotion of consistent and correct messages relating to the rule of law to students, young people and other stakeholders of the education sector.
      
     The second phase of the TTL Programme is one of the DoJ's policy initiatives of "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address". With reference to the successful experience gained from the first phase of the TTL Programme and with the continued support from the Steering Committee on Rule of Law Education and its working groups, the DoJ launched the first event under the second phase of the Programme, which is the foundation course for local secondary school teachers who are mainly responsible for teaching courses of subjects related to the rule of law, the Constitution, national security education, and citizenship and social development.
      
     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, delivered opening remarks for the event this morning, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, also attended the event. Mr Lam also gave a lecture on the topic of "Rule of law and our legal system". He elaborated to the trainees on the essence of the rule of law concept, presented an overview on Hong Kong's legal and judicial systems, and explained to them the relationship between the rule of law and the Constitution, the Basic Law, the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and "one country, two systems".
      
     Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and Member of the Legislative Council Ms Starry Lee, took part in the Programme as a speaker again this year to explain to the trainees about the Mainland legal system and the functions of the NPC and state institutions. Interactive discussions, and question-and-answer exchange sessions were held throughout the whole-day programme, enabling the trainees to ask questions, share their views, and have a better understanding of what they have learned.
      
     Mr Lam said he hoped that this Programme would enhance teachers' understanding of the rule of law and the common law system in Hong Kong, as well as their knowledge in the Constitution and different laws such as the Basic Law, the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, in order to build their confidence in teaching the relevant content in the future. He said that rule of law education and education on cultivating a sense of national identity have to be developed in parallel to complement each other, so as to nurture students' proper concepts of the rule of law, and instill their sense to respect and abide by the rule of law on the basis of the country's Constitution and Hong Kong's Basic Law. Teachers also have to lead by example to effectively teach rule-of-law related values to their students. He also expressed his gratitude to the Education Bureau for its assistance in recruiting about 120 secondary school teachers for the Programme. 

     The second day event of the TTL Programme and its graduation ceremony will be held on July 13. Certificates will be presented to trainees who have completed the two-day foundation course of the second phase of the TTL Programme.
      
     The second phase of the TTL Programme also comprises an advance course focusing on the practice of the rule of law. Trainees who have completed the first phase of the TTL Programme will be arranged to visit law enforcement agencies and participate in mock court activities to gain a first-hand experience of the practice of the rule of law, and to strengthen their understanding of criminal justice process. Trainees who completed both activities will be presented a certificate of the advance course of the TTL Programme. The first visit activity will be held at the end of July, while other activities will be rolled out by stages in the second half of 2024.
      
     For more details on the TTL Programme and other information relating to the promotion and training on the rule of law, please visit the dedicated website at www.role-ttl.gov.hk.

            

     A woman who went missing in Kwun Tong has been located.

     Mak Kwai-king, aged 82, went missing after she was last seen on Lei Yue Mun Road yesterday (July 5) afternoon. Her family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The woman was located on Cha Kwo Ling Road this afternoon (July 6). She sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.