Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (July 6). They are, on Hong Kong Island, the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation; in Kowloon, the Church of United Brethren in Christ, Social Service Division; and in the New Territories, Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association Limited, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.

     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people to distinguish among the three flag-selling activities.    

     Information on the three flag-selling organisations on July 6 is as follows:
 

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, attended the Passing-out Parade for the 492nd-495th Customs Officer Induction Courses at the Hong Kong Customs College today (July 5) to inspect 82 Probationary Customs Officers on parade. Among the passing-out officers, eight are members of Customs YES.
      
     The Guards of Honour and all passing-out officers adopted the Chinese-style foot drill to form the logo of the World Customs Organization (WCO), demonstrating Hong Kong Customs' commitment to becoming the new Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific (A/P) region of the WCO starting from July this year. The Foot Drill and Flag Party of the Customs Youth Leader Corps, the first team under the Security Bureau to perform Chinese-style rifle foot drill, also made its debut in the Passing-out Parade, joining hands with the Guards of Honour and passing-out officers to form the pattern of the Tiananmen Tower to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. This arrangement demonstrated that the patriotic spirit of Hong Kong Customs can continue to be passed on from generation to generation.

     Speaking at the passing-out parade, Ms Ho said under the protection of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong Customs will steadfastly safeguard national security and strive to promote the country and Hong Kong towards high-quality development, actively expand international exchanges and co-operation, and make full use of Hong Kong's distinctive advantages under "one country, two systems", enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world.

     She added that Hong Kong Customs, in the name of Hong Kong, China, was elected as the Vice-Chairperson for the A/P region of the WCO at the Customs Co-operation Council Sessions of the WCO in Brussels on June 29, and formally assumed this role as regional representative for two years from July. The primary responsibilities of this role include driving regional development agendas, co-ordinating regional affairs, leading members in addressing various challenges and facilitating the formulation and implementation of regional strategic plans. By playing this pivotal role, Hong Kong Customs hopes to safeguard multilateralism and promote international co-operation, enhance the effectiveness in regional law enforcement, and strengthen the capability of Hong Kong Customs by proposing the agenda and collaboration means to contribute to the country and Hong Kong.

     Talking about recruitment, Ms Ho pointed out that the response to this year's recruitment of Customs Inspectors has been encouraging, with more than 8 400 applications received, up 12 per cent from last year's 7 500. For Customs Officers, more than 5 300 applications were received in the first half of this year, representing an increase of 20 per cent over the 4 400 applications received in the same period last year. As Hong Kong Customs plays a more prominent role in the international arena after assuming the post of Vice-Chairperson for the A/P region of the WCO, it is believed that more young people who wish to broaden their horizons will be attracted to join Hong Kong Customs to realise their full potential.

     Ms Ho encouraged the passing-out officers to carry forward the goal of creating "a new chapter of Asia-Pacific customs collaboration", to strive to provide diverse and quality customs services, and to make full use of Hong Kong Customs' unique advantages in regional co-operation to make significant new contributions to the country and to Hong Kong.

              

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

     A cocktail reception between the Legislative Council (LegCo) Members and Consuls-General (CGs), as well as Honorary Consuls (HCs) in Hong Kong was held today (July 5) in the LegCo Complex, which provided an opportunity for them to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

     Before the cocktail reception, the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, conducted a briefing for attending CGs and HCs on the work of LegCo, which included fulfilling the constitutional duty to enact legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law in March this year. The CGs and HCs were also briefed on the total number of Bills expected to be passed and the financial proposals anticipated to be approved by summer recess in mid-July by the current term LegCo; as well as the latest progress of the LegCo Complex expansion project. Attending CGs and HCs then toured the LegCo Complex.

     A total of 71 Members attended the cocktail reception. Meanwhile, 36 CGs or their representatives and 8 HCs attended the guided tour, briefing, and cocktail reception.

      

     â€‹The Deputy Commissioner (Control and Enforcement) of Customs and Excise, Mr Mark Woo, today (July 5) attended the closing ceremony of the 2nd Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Course on Capacity Building to Prevent Illegal Trafficking of Cultural Heritage, held in Sichuan. He also led "Customs YES" members to participate in cultural exchange activities.

     â€‹At the closing ceremony, Mr Woo said, "As guardians of the nation's borders, Customs officers should have a sense of dedication to the country's history and culture, and a steadfast commitment to the protection of national cultural heritage". He added that Hong Kong Customs would continue to step up enforcement to combat the smuggling of national cultural heritage and make greater contributions to the protection of national cultural heritage.

     A total of 36 officers, including those from Hong Kong Customs and various departments of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, attended the course which included a series of lectures about anti-smuggling of cultural heritage, relevant laws and enforcement strategies on the Mainland. The participants visited the Sanxingdui Museum, the Sichuan University Museum, the Jinsha Site Museum and various institutions to enhance their capacity for cultural heritage identification and handling.

     Mr Woo today also led "Customs YES" members to visit the Sanxingdui Museum, where they experienced firsthand the art of bronze casting. During the workshop, Mr Woo encouraged the members to proactively learn more about China's profound history and culture, strengthening their affection for, and sense of belonging to, the country.

     During his visit, Mr Woo also met with the Anti-smuggling Bureau of Chengdu Customs District. He will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (July 6).