A fire broke out at a tin-sheeted structure in Wing Ning Tsuen, Yuen Long at 0.39am today (May 10) and was upgraded to No. 3 alarm at 1am.
Firemen are using three jets and mobilising three breathing apparatus teams to fight the blaze.
​One person felt unwell and was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment.
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of the Northern Metropolis conducted a duty visit to Chung Ying Street in Sha Tau Kok, Dameisha and Xiaomeisha Seashore Parks, and Yantian Harbour Night Market in Shenzhen today (May 9) to understand the development of eco-tourism in Shenzhen and leverage its relevant development experience to foster recreation and tourism development in the Northern Metropolis. Members who participated in the visit returned to Hong Kong in the evening.
Members first visited the Zhong-Ying Street Historical Museum in Sha Tau Kok. The Museum was established in 1998 and was listed as the Guangdong Province Patriotic Education Base in 2004. It has an exhibition showcasing the development of Chung Ying Street over the past century to visitors, and an observation deck allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery of the New Territories of Hong Kong and Mirs Bay.
Members went to the Urban Forest Parlour and Wutong Pavilion located in Yantian District of Shenzhen in the afternoon. The Urban Forest Parlour spans an expansive 11 hectares, offering vast green lawns for visitors to enjoy camping and picnicking. The Wutong Pavilion, a new landmark opened to the public in early 2024, provides relaxation facilities such as tea houses for visitors. Members learnt that these two tourism projects contribute to the local recreation and tourism development by utilising natural resources.
Members then proceeded to Yunhai Park which opened in May 2023. It features a white ship-shaped landmark building called Yunhai Station. The Station was built by the Shenzhen Municipal Government as part of the ecological development initiative. Members learnt that the unique location of Yunhai Station, adjacent to a modern ferry pier and primeval forest, allows visitors to experience the diverse facets of Shenzhen.
Members also visited the Dameisha and Xiaomeisha Seashore Parks to learn about the several renovation projects have been taking place in Dameisha and Xiaomeisha in recent years. These include the construction of the city hall of Xiaomeisha, which combines different travel experiences of visitors. Members also visited the Yuehai Library, which is one of the 10 smart libraries in Yantian District. With the theme of marine science, it utilises a range of intelligent technologies to elevate the management and service quality of the library.
Members visited the Yantian Harbour Night Market in the evening to understand its environment, installations and ancillary transport facilities, and the experience in hosting cross-border food festivals in recent years. During the visit, Members discussed with representatives from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government regarding collaboration on tourism development between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, including to explore the feasibility of developing a cultural tourism zone in Sha Tau Kok. Members visited attractions that integrate conservation, tourism, and cultural elements today, hoping to use them as a reference for the development of the Blue and Green Recreation, Tourism and Conservation Circle in the Northern Metropolis. They also believe that the proximity of Sha Tau Kok to Yantian District in Shenzhen provides an opportunity for cultural and tourism collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
A total of 13 members and non-members of the Subcommittee attended the visit. At the invitation of the Subcommittee, representatives of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Development Bureau also participated in the visit.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 9) investigating one food poisoning cluster affecting 10 persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.
The cluster involved four males and six females, aged between 1 and 37, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and fever about 10 to 25 hours after having dinner at a restaurant in To Kwa Wan on May 3. Initial investigations by the CHP revealed that the affected persons had consumed common food. Two of the affected persons have sought medical advice and none required hospitalisation. Their stool specimens were positive for Salmonella upon laboratory testing. All affected persons are in stable condition.
The personnel from the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have conducted inspections at the restaurant and instructed the premises to stop selling the food items concerned. The investigations of the CHP and the CFS are ongoing, including the testing of food samples.
To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, is leading a delegation of Hong Kong higher education institutions to visit Beijing for two consecutive days (May 8 and 9). They called on the Ministry of Education, and visited Peking University, the Changping Laboratory, the headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Beijing Centre of the University of Hong Kong.
Today (May 9), the delegation called on the Ministry of Education and met the Minister, Mr Huai Jinpeng. Dr Choi expressed sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Education and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for arranging the study tour, providing the leaders of Hong Kong higher education institutions with a comprehensive understanding of the overall development of the country, the strategy of building a leading country in education and the latest advancements in education and technology of the country, facilitating institutions in planning for future developments.
Dr Choi pointed out that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region endeavours to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education. The key measures include promoting collaborative development of higher education in Hong Kong and on the Mainland, encouraging post-secondary institutions to strengthen international exchanges and co-operation, supporting local institutions' expansion and quality enhancement for attracting more non-local students to study in Hong Kong, and planning ahead for the future development of higher education to actively complement the national development strategies.
She said that Hong Kong will continue to build on the unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, complement the national strategy of "invigorating the country through science and education", make the most of its role as the gateway and window for international connections, and strive to build the "study in Hong Kong" brand, leveraging Hong Kong's strengths to contribute to the country.
At the meeting, a number of the delegation members shared the advantages of Hong Kong higher education institutions, and their efforts in promoting collaboration with Mainland and international higher education institutions, strengthening values education and developing universities of applied sciences, etc.
Thereafter, the delegation visited Peking University and attended a sharing session by the University's Honorary Dean of the National School of Development, Professor Justin Lin, on his thematic report.
The delegation also met the representatives of Mainland members of the Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance to discuss ways to deepen exchanges and co-operation between the universities of the two places on talent cultivation, student admission and employment, and scientific research. The Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance was jointly established in 2018 by 12 universities of Beijing and eight Hong Kong universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC).
Yesterday (May 8), the delegation toured the Changping Laboratory to learn about the latest developments of life sciences in the country, and met its Director and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Sunney Xie, and his team to explore academic exchanges and scientific research collaborations between Hong Kong and Beijing.
Later, the delegation visited the headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to learn about the development background of the Bank. They also visited the Beijing Centre of the University of Hong Kong to learn about its efforts in enhancing co-operation and exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland in academic research and providing opportunities for practical industry experience.
Dr Choi said that with the support of the country, several Hong Kong higher education institutions have launched joint education programmes in various forms on the Mainland. She encouraged Hong Kong higher education institutions to deepen and broaden co-operation with their Mainland counterparts.
　
Members of the delegation include the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li; the Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui; the Chairman of the Research Grants Council, Professor Timothy Tong; the Chairman of the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education, Dr Alex Chan; and presidents or representatives of eight UGC-funded universities, 13 degree-awarding self-financing post-secondary institutions and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The delegation will continue their visit to Beijing tomorrow (May 10).
Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the Europe Day Reception today (May 9):
Ambassador Gnocchi (Mr Thomas Gnocchi, Head, European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao), Consuls General, ladies and gentlemen, friends of the European Union,
Good day on a grand day. Europe Day.
Europe Day stands as a resonating symbol of the EU's openness, its unity and commitment to peace, stability and prosperity.
Hong Kong shares those goals – for our economy, for our community and the world at large.
The EU is an important, highly valued trading partner of Hong Kong. As a bloc, the EU was Hong Kong's third largest trading partner last year.
And we hope now, as we move deeper into the post-pandemic economy, that we can further strengthen our longstanding, long-rewarding economic ties.
Hong Kong's advantages remain remarkably strong and inviting. Thanks to the "one country, two systems" grand design, Hong Kong continues to serve as the global gateway between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world.
At last count, Hong Kong was home to about 1 550 EU companies – a number that speaks of the enduring confidence EU nations have in Hong Kong, in our economy, our policies and plans and the boundless promise we offer companies and investors.
It helps that our tax system is as simple as it is low, that capital flows freely, that our business environment is open to all, and that our communications and logistics infrastructure is world-class.
We are also working, assiduously and creatively, to attract strategic companies, investment and talent.
Our Top Talent Pass Scheme, introduced to entice graduates of the world's top universities to pursue careers in Hong Kong, is doing just that.
In February, we approved more than 180 000 applications from our various talent-admission schemes. About 120 000 of them have already arrived in Hong Kong.
To help companies and professionals settle into Hong Kong faster and easier, we've put together a variety of initiatives. For example, expatriates, including foreign staff of companies in Hong Kong, can now travel to the Mainland on multiple-entry visas, enjoying priority visa processing.
Hong Kong Talent Engage, established late last year to recruit international and mainland talent, also offers a wide range of support for incoming professionals. Earlier this week, it organised a Global Talent Summit, attracting some 1 000 participants and running alongside it an exhibition, featuring nearly 100 exhibitors, alongside it.
We welcome more EU companies and professionals, entrepreneurs and start-ups to join us, to help Hong Kong expand and diversify our world-class financial system.
Green finance is central to the future of our financial sector.
In February, we launched about 715 million euros worth of digital green bonds. They were denominated in Hong Kong dollars, renminbi, US dollars and euros, all under the Government Green Bond Programme.
That was our second digital bond issuance, following the Government's inaugural tokenised green bond, released 15 months ago.
Last month's GreenWay forum, the third edition, showed a promising way forward in responding, creatively and co-operatively, to green issues.
EU companies are working with Hong Kong companies and the Government to tackle waste management and the many other environmental concerns we all face. We look forward to continuing, and expanding, our collective co-operation in this critical, long-term challenge.
I invite you, too, to take advantage of the far-reaching opportunities presented by our fast-emerging innovation and technology sector.
There are about 20 EU I&T start-ups and incubatees in Hong Kong Science Park, and another 10 in Cyberport. Four InnoHK research and development centres have also been established in collaboration with EU institutions.
It's a good start, and I'm confident we'll see more EU I&T presence here in the coming years.
Hong Kong is also a pivotal player in the region's international I&T ambitions. To take one example, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park is fast emerging. Its first buildings, including laboratories, will progressively open from year's end. The years, and the decades to follow, look awfully promising.
So, too, does Hong Kong's cultural and creative sector, thanks to the West Kowloon Cultural District's emergence on the world stage. Thanks, too, to our continuing rise as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
That very much includes pan-Europe's resplendent arts and cultural offerings. The annual French May Arts Festival, to take just one shining example, would feature more than 100 arts and cultural programmes, from music and dance to film, theatre, wine and dine delights – and a great deal more.
East meeting West could not be more gratifying.
Listening to our national anthems being played earlier this evening, I was reminded that Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme – the fourth movement of his Ninth Symphony – is the EU's official anthem. This past Tuesday marked the first public performance of Beethoven's Ninth – 200 years ago in Vienna.
There's a line from the Ode's lyrics: "All men become brothers." That, ladies and gentlemen, is eminently worth striving for.
Happy Europe Day! Thank you.
