â€‹Two teams of students representing Hong Kong achieved remarkable results in the 63rd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2022) and the 52nd International Physics Olympiad (IPhO 2022) respectively. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Hong Kong teams participated in the competitions and activities via online mode.
      
     The IMO 2022, hosted by Norway, was held from July 6 to 16, with the participation of 589 students from 104 countries or regions. The Hong Kong team won one gold medal, three silver medals, one bronze medal and one honourable mention. The six awardees are as follows:
     Gold medal: Chu Cheuk-hei (St Paul's Co-educational College)
     Silver medal: Hsieh Chong-ho (Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School)
                          Yau Ching-yan (Ying Wa College)
                          Yiu Chun-hei (S.K.H. Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School)
     Bronze medal: Lai Wai-lok (St Paul's Co-educational College)
     Honourable mention: Cheng Nick-hang (Diocesan Boys’ School)
      
     The IPhO 2022, organised by Switzerland, was held from July 10 to 17. A total of 366 students from 76 countries or regions competed for the medals. The Hong Kong team won four silver medals and one bronze medal. The five awardees are as follows:
     Silver medal: Chan Tsz-chun (International Christian Quality Music Secondary and Primary School)
                         Cheng Yat-long (Raimondi College)
                         Cheung Man-yin (Queen's College)
                         Lam Chung-wang (St Paul's Co-educational College)
     Bronze medal: Kwok Ching-yeung (Sheng Kung Hui Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School)
      
     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, congratulated the Hong Kong teams today (July 18) on their excellent results in the two competitions. "The outstanding performance of the Hong Kong teams has demonstrated their persistent work and the concerted efforts of their schools, teachers, parents and different stakeholders in supporting them in striving for excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  The Education Bureau (EDB) will continue to enhance the promotion of STEM education in primary and secondary schools by enriching curriculum, enhancing teacher training, providing schools with resources support, etc., so as to nurture students' innovation," Dr Choi said.
      
     "The Government has so far injected $1.6 billion into the Gifted Education Fund (the Fund) to provide sustained funding support to the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) for the development of gifted education.  From the 2019/20 school year onwards, the Fund has supported 31 off-school advanced learning programmes offered by different post-secondary institutions and organisations.  These programmes, targeting gifted students at the primary and secondary levels, enable students to fully develop their potential through challenging learning activities," she added.
      
     The members of the Hong Kong teams of the IMO 2022 and the IPhO 2022 achieved excellent results in the local selection contests. They subsequently received specific training under the enhancement programmes arranged by the HKAGE. The outstanding students in the programmes were then selected as contestants to represent Hong Kong to participate in the above competitions. The Hong Kong teams were fully funded by the EDB to join these competitions.

      

     â€‹A Government spokesman announced today (July 18) that the supply of fresh food from the Mainland yesterday (July 17) was sufficient and stable.

     According to the latest information, the quantity of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong yesterday (as of midnight) by land and water transportation was over 2 700 tonnes, comparable to the average daily supply from the Mainland on a normal day. The volume of vegetables sold through the wholesale markets of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Vegetable Marketing Organization was about 567 tonnes. The average wholesale prices of choi sum and pak choi stood at $7.20 and $7.80 per catty respectively yesterday, comparable to their average daily wholesale prices last year. The supply of eggs to the wholesale market remained steady, with the average daily supply standing at about 3.2 million for the past week, comparable to the average daily supply on a normal day last year.

     The total supply of chilled meat from the Mainland yesterday was over 43 tonnes. The supply of live pigs was plentiful.

     The supply of chilled poultry from the Mainland was over 160 000 head yesterday, and over 11 000 live chickens were slaughtered locally. The supply was abundant.

     Regarding the rice supply, in compliance with the requirement by the Government, stockholders of rice have to maintain the reserve stock of rice at a level sufficient for consumption by the local population for 15 days. The trade generally stocks double the required amount, which is sufficient for one month's consumption by Hong Kong citizens. In recent years, the import and consumption of rice in Hong Kong has stood at a steady level of around 320 000 to 330 000 tonnes per year. The import quantity (including reserve stock) as of end-May 2022 was 27 700 tonnes. Suppliers also maintain a reserve for food that can be stored, such as frozen meat, for around three months' stock generally.

     The Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities and major food suppliers to ensure a stable food supply.

     The AFCD updates and publishes the fresh food supply information daily. Members of the public may visit the AFCD website for updates on daily supplies and wholesale prices of fresh food (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_fresh/agr_fresh.html).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council:

　　The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), Dr Wilfred Wong, today (July 18) congratulated First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI)-funded film, "Hand Rolled Cigarette", for winning the Best New Director Award at the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards.
 
     The FFFI, launched by the government-financed Film Development Fund (FDF) in March 2013 with seven editions completed, seeks to identify and nurture talent in a new way through a competition focusing on screenplays and production proposals.
 
　　"Hand Rolled Cigarette" was the winning film project in the Higher Education Institution Group of the 4th FFFI. The winning team received full funding from the FDF to make their film. Apart from achieving critical acclaim and support from audiences, the film has had relatively good box-office results since it was commercially released in Hong Kong.
 
　　Dr Wong said, "The seven editions of FFFI launched so far have incubated more than 18 new directors and the scheme receives high acclaim from film practitioners. With the enhancement introduced since the 6th edition to increase the subsidy and winning quotas, FFFI should drive the film industry further by nurturing highly talented young film practitioners."
 
　　"Hand Rolled Cigarette" is directed by Chan Kin-long and has a screenplay co-written by Ling Wai-chun and Chan. The film stars Gordon Lam Ka-tung and Bipin Karma. It received seven nominations including Best New Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Costume & Makeup Design and Best Action Chorography. Chan won the Best New Director Award on Sunday.
 
　　The FFFI is one of the Government's initiatives to support the film industry. It takes the form of a competition in two groups, the Higher Education Institution Group and the Professional Group. The director of each participating team shall not have previously shot any commercial film of 80 minutes or above. The FDF will provide funding for the winning teams to implement their film proposals and make their first commercial feature films. The winning teams are required to complete the whole film production and sales process, involving planning, shooting and distribution, and in the process acquire knowledge from creative concept to practical experience in making a feature film.

     A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said today (July 18) that the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment)/Director of Environmental Protection, Miss Janice Tse, had tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test. She is undergoing isolation in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health.
 
     Miss Tse last went to work on July 15. She wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work, including rapid antigen tests conducted daily. She has no recent travel history.
 
     The EEB has conducted a thorough cleaning and disinfection at the office concerned and will continue to implement disease prevention measures vigorously. Arrangements have been made for relevant staff members to undergo COVID-19 tests in accordance with the advice from the CHP.

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 (July 18) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.