The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     The Judiciary today (January 30) urged the public to stay alert to fraudulent summonses purportedly issued by the Judiciary.

     The Judiciary recently received public enquiries about a number of suspicious Summons to Defendant received through electronic means bearing the case number "ESS13563/2024", requesting the addressees to attend a hearing at a Magistrates' Court or pay a fine. The Judiciary clarified that these suspicious summonses were not issued by the Judiciary. The Judiciary has reported the case to the Police.

     A Summons to Defendant issued by the Judiciary shall either be served by post or by hand, and will not bear the image of any identification documents. The Judiciary will not serve a Summons to Defendant by electronic means.

     The Judiciary reminds members of the public to stay alert to any suspected fraudulent summons, and not to follow any instructions or requests from them. They should report the matter to the Police if in doubt.

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     The University Grants Committee (UGC) today (January 30) held the University Leadership Forum to introduce its initiatives to council members and management teams of the eight UGC-funded universities. Guest speakers also exchanged views on the development of higher education in Hong Kong.
      
     In his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui, said, "The Chief Executive announced in his last year's Policy Address to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education. In this regard, the UGC firmly believes that good institutional governance will enable more effective leadership in the development of the eight UGC-funded universities. It will also empower them to achieve greater international recognition and accomplishments in teaching and research, thereby fulfilling their responsibility in propelling Hong Kong's development."
      
     At the Forum, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, delivered keynote speeches on institutional governance and development of Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education respectively. Executive Council member Dr Moses Cheng; the Chairman of the Court of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Dr Andrew Liao; former President of the Hong Kong Institute of Education Professor Anthony Cheung; and UGC member and former Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Education University of Hong Kong, Mr Dieter Yih, participated in a panel discussion to share their insights about institutional governance and their views on the future development of higher education in Hong Kong.
      
     In addition, the Chairman of the Research Grants Council, Professor Wong Yuk-shan, and the Convener of the UGC's Sub-group on Institutional Development and Taught Programmes, Mr Philip Tsai, shared the objectives and future plans of the UGC in research and teaching. The Secretary-General of the UGC, Professor James Tang, provided a detailed account of the University Accountability Agreement. Their presentations allowed the university councils and management teams to gain insights into various important issues related to higher education.
      
     The UGC expressed sincere gratitude to more than 160 leaders of the higher education sector who attended the Forum for making it a great success.

    

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 30) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Sieradzki District of Å�ódzkie Region in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 3 110 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Polish authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said. 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: 

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals: 

     The Marine Department today (January 30) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported. 

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea. 

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly. 

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67. 

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801. 

     The Marine Department (MD) conducted the Navigational Safety Seminar 2024 today (January 30) to reinforce and enhance the awareness of navigational safety among members of the industry. The Acting Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat, reminded coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels that they have the responsibility to strictly comply with marine legislations to uphold safety at sea.
 
     Mr Wong pointed out that coxswains and crew members should take appropriate and adequate safety precautions, and draw up contingency arrangements before setting sail. Vessels should have sufficient life-saving and fire-fighting equipment. Coxswains and crew members should ensure that vessels, engines and equipment are maintained in conditions that are suitable for navigation. In addition, they should acquaint themselves with the contact numbers of the vessel traffic control unit and units that provide emergency services, and be fully aware of the latest weather conditions and related MD notices.

     To avoid accidents caused by fatigue at work, owners and operators of all local vessels must ensure that all crew members, including coxswains, have sufficient rest. Coxswains and crew members should also strengthen lookouts, sail at safe speeds and comply with regulations for preventing collisions while navigating in restricted visibility.
 
     During major events at sea, owners and operators of all local vessels should check again and reconfirm that their operating licence, certificate of survey and third-party risk insurance are valid before setting sail. Moreover, coxswains and crew members must ensure that children on board are accompanied by an adult and wear a lifejacket at all times, as well as keep a passenger and crew list on board for emergency purposes. The MD will enhance enforcement work and initiate prosecution if any vessel fails to meet these requirements.

     To enhance marine safety and protect the safety of persons on board a vessel, a bill to enact a new legislation to regulate drink and drug boating in Hong Kong waters was introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading on January 10, 2024. The new legislation states that any person involved in operating a vessel, including those who control, navigate or pilot a vessel, or perform designated duties, i.e. relating to the safety and security of the vessel and the protection of the marine environment on board a vessel that is underway, will commit an offence if the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent of being incapable of having proper control of the vessel, or has alcohol exceeding the prescribed limits in the person's body, or has any specified illicit drugs in the person's body. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000, three years' imprisonment, and disqualification of relevant qualifications for life.

     The MD organises education seminars and publicity campaigns to promote marine safety on a regular basis. Today's annual seminar was attended by about 180 representatives from the shipping industries, coxswains and operators of local vessels, and representatives of marine works projects. The issues discussed included international regulations for preventing collisions at sea and their implementation in Hong Kong waters, introduction of the Marine Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Bill, matters requiring attention in the applications for local vessels' licenses and marine activities etc, as well as case analyses of marine accidents.