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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 23) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.
​The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Brussels, Belgium on May 22 (Brussels time).
Professor Sun met with European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Ms Iliana Ivanova. Professor Sun pointed out that this is the first time in recent years that a Principal Official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has met with the senior leadership of the European Union (EU), which precisely demonstrates the great importance that the HKSAR Government and the EU attach to maintaining and enhancing the bilateral relations between the two sides. Professor Sun mentioned that Hong Kong has entered into a stable social environment, which enables the city to focus its efforts on developing the economy and improving people's livelihood, and at the same time provides a better business environment for overseas and local enterprises operating in Hong Kong.
Professor Sun highlighted that the current-term HKSAR Government has been proactively establishing Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Since taking office for nearly two years, the Government has launched and implemented a series of important initiatives in a coordinated manner along the development directions and key strategies promulgated in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint, and that fostering economic development through I&T is a topic of common interest to both Hong Kong and the EU. Both sides also held discussion on how to strengthen further I&T co-operation between Hong Kong and the EU. In addition, Professor Sun sincerely invited the Commissioner to visit Hong Kong.
Upon his arrival in Brussels in the morning, Professor Sun called on the Chinese Mission to the European Union, Minister Zhu Jing, to give him an introduction on the latest situation of Hong Kong’s I&T development as well as the city’s continuous efforts in integrating into national I&T development. He thanked the Mission for continuing to support the HKSAR Government in its work to promote Hong Kong’s advantages in I&T in Europe. Minister Zhu also briefed Professor Sun and his entourage on the recent situation in Europe and the work of the Mission.
In the afternoon, Professor Sun met with the Director General of European Association for Bioindustries (EuropaBio), Ms Claire Skentelbery, to learn more about the latest development of the biotechnology industry, in particular industrial biotechnology, in Europe. The EuropaBio is Europe’s largest and most influential biotech industry group. Professor Sun elaborated on Hong Kong’s edges in scientific research in the aspect of life and health, noting that the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint has put forward the focus to promote strategic industries such as life and health technology. To further advance the future development of the relevant fields in Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government will provide subsidies for local universities in Hong Kong to collaborate with Mainland and overseas organisations to set up life and health technology research institutes, in a bid to facilitate relevant research and development (R&D) activities and transformation of R&D outcomes, as well as to attract leading I&T talent and research teams around the world to come to Hong Kong.
Professor Sun will depart for Paris, France, on May 23 (Paris time) to continue his visit.
Hongkong Post announced today (May 23) that six sets of special stamps of various themes will be issued from July to December 2024. Each stamp issue has its own ingenious design and distinctive style, making the special stamps valuable collectables for philatelists and the public.
The Paris 2024 Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11. Hongkong Post will release a set of four stamps under the theme "Support to the Delegation of Team Hong Kong, China to Paris 2024" in July, featuring sports in which Team Hong Kong, China won medals in the Olympic Games before, including fencing, swimming, table tennis and cycling, to pay tribute to Hong Kong athletes and wish them success in the Olympic Games, so they may bring honour to the country and Hong Kong.
Moreover, Hongkong Post, in collaboration with Disney, will issue six stamps and three stamp sheetlets on the theme of "Disney" in September featuring famous and beloved classic animated characters. The design of the stamps also incorporates Chinese elements, highlighting Hong Kong's unique charm as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
Hongkong Post will also issue a set of six stamps under the theme "Children Stamps – Chinese Idioms and Their Stories III" in September to enhance children's knowledge of and interest in Chinese idioms and their stories, thereby cultivating their good character. Chinese idioms are set phrases that have evolved over thousands of years of use. Often originating from fables, literature and history, their stories are rich in cultural connotations and full of wisdom of the ages.
2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). As a member of the China Delegation, Hongkong Post will issue a stamp sheetlet titled "The 150th Anniversary of Universal Postal Union" to commemorate this occasion. The Treaty of Bern was signed by 22 countries in 1874 to establish the General Postal Union, later renamed as the UPU. Today, with 192 member countries, the UPU has evolved into a postal network that fosters co-operation and communication among postal administrations worldwide and provides updates on the latest postal products and services.
As a continuation of the "Hong Kong Landscape" stamp series, Hongkong Post will present a set of special stamps on the theme of "Hong Kong Landscape – 10 Natural Wonders" in November to showcase the exquisite natural beauty of Hong Kong and encourage the public to appreciate and cherish the local natural scenery. This collection is based on the "Top 10 Natural Wonders Selection" launched by the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute. A selection of 30 natural landscapes was made by experts and scholars, and the citizens of Hong Kong and tourists were invited to vote for the most representative "Top 10 Natural Wonders".
Furthermore, following the release of the "Hong Kong Palace Museum" special stamps in 2022, Hongkong Post will issue a set of special stamps on the theme of "Hong Kong Palace Museum II", which displays additional priceless treasures from the Palace Museum, highlighting the richness and grandeur of Chinese civilization. The stamps also seek to promote public engagement in the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture.
Customers may place advance orders for the above new stamp products from today on Hongkong Post's online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk). Customers may also visit the Facebook page "郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps" (www.facebook.com/HKPStamps) for more details. Customers who place orders by June 11 (Tuesday) will receive special gifts and bonus points. Further information about placing orders can be obtained from the Hongkong Post Stamps website or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
​The spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) made the following announcement today (May 22):
PYNEH received reports from staff members today on experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis including diarrhea and vomiting, after consuming food purchased from the two hospital canteens during lunchtime yesterday (May 21) and subsequently applied for sick leave today. Around 30 staff members from different departments are involved.
The case has been reported to the Centre for Health Protection and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. As prudent measures, the hospital has instructed the canteen services contractor to arrange deep cleansing in the two canteens. The hospital canteens will be closed tomorrow to continue deep cleansing.
Meanwhile, the Infection Control Team has initially obtained information from some of the staff members concerned. Disinfection has been arranged with respective hospital departments in staff common areas and toilets.
PYNEH is very concerned about the cases and has reported them to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advanced Incident Reporting System.
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, continued his visit to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), today (May 22, Dubai time) to attend a forum titled "Hong Kong – The Common Law Gateway for UAE Businesses to China and Beyond" for promoting Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services.
At the forum, Mr Lam said in his opening remarks that as the only common law jurisdiction in China, Hong Kong has very often been described as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" between the Mainland and the rest of the world. The city's common law system and its top-quality, user-friendly and reliable legal services can offer one-stop shop services, which cannot be found elsewhere, for overseas businesses to explore investment opportunities in China and beyond.
The forum organised by the Department of Justice, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, and co-organised by the Dubai Chambers, attracted more than 300 participants from the legal, business and other sectors of the UAE. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the UAE, Mr Zhang Yiming; and the President and CEO of the Dubai Chambers, Mr Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, delivered their speeches at the forum.
Mr Lam also held a meeting with the Minister of Justice of the UAE, Mr Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, to discuss issues of mutual interests and explore opportunities to foster legal collaboration between the two places during the event.
At the plenary session titled "Hong Kong as an International Legal and Dispute Resolution Hub: A One-Stop-Shop for your Business Expedition", the President of the Law Society of Hong Kong, Mr Chan Chak-ming, first shared with the audience the ease of setting up a company and re-domiciliation of foreign companies in Hong Kong, featuring the city's high quality legal services. The Head of Listing of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Ms Katherine Ng, talked about the growth and maturity of a company including topics on raising capital and the opportunities in the Mainland. The Chairperson of the Hong Kong Mediation Council, Dr Christopher To, spoke on resolving legal disputes in Hong Kong through a wide spectrum of legal and alternative dispute resolution services the city provides. Lastly, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Mr Victor Dawes, SC, discussed the corporate restructuring means available for a company in Hong Kong and related issues.
Two concurrent breakout sessions were held afterwards. Prominent speakers from Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution sectors shared their invaluable insights on "Supporting Business Growth with Hong Kong's Legal Services", and "Effective Dispute Resolution in Hong Kong". It was followed by a networking luncheon, where Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC Dr Patrick Lau gave welcome remarks.
In his keynote speech at the luncheon, Mr Lam highlighted five important and unique characteristics of Hong Kong's legal system: it is stable, trustworthy, business-friendly, secured and provides good connections to China and beyond. He also introduced to the audience the opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which offers the unique advantages under "one country, two systems and three jurisdictions".
After the event concluded, Mr Lam and the delegation had a meeting with the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department.
They will then call on the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai in the evening.
Mr Lam will continue his visit to Dubai tomorrow (May 23, Dubai time).
