Regarding the incident announced on December 23, 2023, where samples of pigs from a Yuen Long pig farm tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched a culling operation on the farm concerned on December 27, 2023. The operation was completed today (January 8).

     An AFCD spokesman said, "According to the contingency plan on ASF, the AFCD has sent staff to cull and handle a total of 2 792 pigs on the licensed farm in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, since December 27, 2023. The operation was completed today. All culled and handled pigs were sent to the West New Territories Landfill for dumping according to established procedures."

     The spokesman further said, "The AFCD will arrange thorough cleaning and disinfection of the farm, and has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of this incident. An investigation and tracing of the source of the virus in collaboration with international experts is underway."

     Regarding the two pig farms within 3 kilometres of the index farm, transport of any pigs from them is still suspended for the sake of prudence. The AFCD will arrange veterinary inspections of the pig farms in the area and collect further samples from pigs for ASF virus testing as appropriate. If no abnormal health condition is noted regarding the pigs, and all samples have tested negative for the ASF virus, pigs on these pig farms would be allowed to be transported to slaughterhouses.

     The AFCD will continue to keep local pig farms under close surveillance as well as conducting tests if necessary. The AFCD has also reminded all farmers to ensure that biosecurity measures have been properly implemented and alert the Department immediately if an abnormal health condition is observed in pigs. Meanwhile, AFCD staff are currently inspecting all local licensed pig farms in phases to ensure biosecurity measures have been properly implemented. Surveillance of activities of wild pigs in the vicinity of the index farm has also been stepped up. 

     Moreover, the AFCD has implemented an emergency measure on handling dead pigs on local pig farms on the advice of an international veterinary expert since January 3. All farms are required to collect and submit to the AFCD nasal swab samples from pig carcasses for ASF virus testing. Disposal of carcasses can only be arranged by the farms upon confirmation of a negative result. Sampling materials and protective clothing have been distributed to local pig farms. Close communication is kept with pig farmers to update them on the latest situation and means of prevention of ASF via SMS groups.

     The spokesman stressed that ASF is not a zoonotic disease and will not infect humans, hence does not present any food safety risk. Pork cooked thoroughly is safe for consumption. Members of the public do not need to be concerned. The incident does not affect the operation of local slaughterhouses nor the overall supply of live pigs.

     The 9th Hong Kong Games' Jockey Club Vitality Run will be held on March 3 (Sunday) for members of the public to enjoy the fun of running and show support for the Hong Kong Games (HKG). The Hong Kong Jockey Club will continue to be the title sponsor of this event. Enrolment will begin on January 10 (Wednesday).
      
     The Jockey Club Vitality Run is scheduled to be held alongside the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin in the morning on March 3. Enrolment quotas of 4 300 and 1 200 are available for the about-3km run (open to all ages) and the 10km run (for those aged 16 or above) respectively. Members of the public can register free of charge.
      
     The about-3km run will begin at 8.30am. The route will start at Yuen Wo Road (near Yuen Wo Playground), proceeding to Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Tai Chung Kiu Road, Fo Tan Road and then heading back to Yuen Wo Road and finishing at Yuen Wo Road near Sha Tin Sports Ground.
      
     The 10km run will commence at 8am, also from Yuen Wo Road (near Yuen Wo Playground), proceeding to Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Tai Chung Kiu Road, Fo Tan Road, and then heading back to Yuen Wo Road. After arriving at Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre, participants will switch to the jogging and cycling tracks alongside the Shing Mun River via the Hong Kong Sports Institute campus and sports ground, then turn around before the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works (without entering the Hong Kong Sports Institute) and finishing at Yuen Wo Road near Sha Tin Sports Ground.
      
     Applicants may enrol in activities through My SmartPLAY App, the SmartPLAY webpage or smart self-service stations starting from 8.30am on January 10 on a first-come-first-served basis while stocks last.
      
     Each participant will receive a souvenir T-shirt and other souvenirs. Participants completing the run within the time limits (i.e. 45 minutes for the about-3km run and 90 minutes for the 10km run) will also receive a certificate and a souvenir medal. To add more fun to the event, participants can dress up and compete for the Most Creative Costume Prize and the Overall Best Team Costume Prize.
      
     The prospectus is available at the 9th HKG dedicated website (www.hongkonggames.hk), District Leisure Services Offices under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), leisure venues with Leisure Link Services and LCSD sports grounds.
      
     On the event day, activities including stage performances, game booths on new sports, a sports interactive game zone with a combination of multimedia and virtual reality technology, and a photo corner, etc, will be set up at Yuen Wo Playground so that participants can enjoy the fun of sports and greet the upcoming inter-district sports competitions and community participation programmes of the 9th HKG.
      
     The HKG is a territory-wide major multi-sport event with the 18 Districts as participating units. The inter-district sports competitions of the 9th HKG will be held between April 21 and June 9 this year, covering eight sports, namely athletics, badminton, 3-on-3 basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. The sports competitions for people with disabilities include wheelchair 3-on-3 basketball and boccia; and those for people with intellectual disability include swimming and table tennis.
      
     Apart from sports competitions, a wide range of activities are also organised for public participation, including the 18 Districts’ Pledging cum Cheering Team Competition, voting for My Favourite Sporty District and guessing the Overall Champion of the 9th Hong Kong Games, a Dynamic Moments photo contest, the opening ceremony, and closing cum prize presentation ceremony.
      
     The 9th HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by its Community Sports Committee, with the Home Affairs Department, the LCSD, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and the relevant National Sports Associations of the sports competitions as co-organisers. The Jockey Club is the major sponsor of the event.
      
     Details about the 9th HKG are available at the dedicated website (www.hongkonggames.hk).

        

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

     The nomination period for the offices of Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the Subcommittees under the Legislative Council Finance Committee, the Establishment Subcommittee (ESC) and the Public Works Subcommittee (PWSC), for the 2024 session closed at 5pm today (January 8).

     There is only one valid nomination each for the offices of Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the two Subcommittees:

• Mr Frankie Yick and Mr Steven Ho are elected as the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of ESC respectively; and
• Mr Tony Tse and Mr Kwok Wai-keung are elected as the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of PWSC respectively.

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, met with the Director General of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, Mr Fang Shizhong, in Shanghai today (January 8) to exchange views on cultural and tourism development of the places. He also attended the Shanghai-Hong Kong City-to-City Culture Conference (Conference) jointly organised by Zuni Icosahedron from Hong Kong and the Shanghai Cultural Research Centre, Institute of Literature, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. The Conference brought together officials and representatives of the cultural sector from both sides for in-depth discussions on various areas of the arts and cultural collaborative development of the two places.
      
     Mr Yeung said, "Hong Kong and Shanghai have been maintaining frequent exchanges on arts and culture. The two places signed the Agreement on Cultural Exchange and Co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong in 2012. Themed on Cultural Big Data in Digital Era, the Conference facilitates dialogues and sharings in areas such as cultural innovation, cultural venue planning and development of the culture industry, allowing participants to have a better understanding of new development trends in arts and culture. I hope that the Conference can promote cultural exchanges between Shanghai and Hong Kong, and deepen collaboration and the integrated development of the sector in the two places."
      
     Mr Yeung started his itinerary upon his arrival yesterday (January 7) afternoon. He visited Zhangyuan and viewed public art installations to learn about how revitalisation and incorporation of commercial elements could bring vibrancy to urban projects. He also met with the Director General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr Kong Fuan, and updated him on the latest developments in Hong Kong, and explored opportunities of collaborations and exchanges.
      
     Mr Yeung also visited the Memorial Site of the 4th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the National Flag Education Exhibition Hall. By offering immersive installations and interactive experiences in difference zones, the exhibition hall showcases the creation process of the national flag. He said that the Policy Address proposed the setting up of a museum to showcase the development and achievements of the country, covering areas such as its history, politics, economic development and culture. The Government will learn from the curation experience of different exhibitions with a view to enriching the museum content, so as to foster deeper public understanding of the country and national affairs. The Government will continue to engage different stakeholders on the preliminary plan to ensure the initiative can excel.
      
     Joined by the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Joe Wong, and others, Mr Yeung visited the Shanghai Grand Theatre this afternoon to learn more about the venues and facilities for performing arts groups at Shanghai.
      
     Mr Yeung will continue his visit to Shanghai tomorrow (January 9).

                  

     Globally, 2023 is likely to be the warmest year on record according to the World Meteorological Organization's preliminary assessment. The global mean sea level continued to rise, reaching a new record high in 2023. Over the Arctic, sea-ice extent remained well below average in the year and the minimum sea-ice extent in September was the sixth lowest in the satellite record. In 2023, different parts of the world were ravaged by various extreme weather events, including heatwaves in many parts of the world, including Europe, North Africa, southern China, Japan and much of Southeast Asia; severe drought in northwestern Africa, the Greater Horn of Africa region, parts of the Iberian Peninsula, parts of central and southwest Asia, many parts of Central America, northern South America, parts of Canada and the United States; extreme rainfall that triggered severe flooding in China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Greece, southern Bulgaria, parts of Türkiye, northeastern Libya, Spain, and the North Island of New Zealand; and severe damage and heavy casualties brought by tropical cyclones in Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines and China. Rampant wildfires also wreaked great havoc in Greece, Hawaii and Canada.
 
     The La Niña event of 2022 lasted till January 2023. Sea surface temperatures of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific continued to increase in the following months. An El Niño event was established in August 2023 and persisted through to the end of the year.
 
     In Hong Kong, with all 12 months warmer than usual, 2023 was one of the second warmest years on record with the annual mean temperature reaching 24.5 degrees, 1.0 degree above the 1991-2020 normal (Note 1). The annual mean minimum temperature of 22.6 degrees and annual mean maximum temperature of 27.2 degrees were respectively one of the highest and one of the second highest since records began in 1884. In particular, the mean temperature for summer (June to August) reached 29.7 degrees, the highest on record. The highest temperature recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory in the year was 36.1 degrees on July 27, one of the third highest on record. There were 54 very hot days (Note 2), 56 hot nights (Note 3) and four extremely hot days (Note 4) in Hong Kong in 2023, respectively ranking as one of the highest, the second highest and one of the fifth highest on record.
 
     The lowest temperature recorded at the Observatory in the year was 8.1 degrees on December 23. The number of cold days (Note 5) in the year was 14 days, 1.2 days less than the 1991-2020 normal.
 
      2023 was characterised by a dry spring and summer, and very wet autumn. Mainly owing to the record-breaking rainfall in autumn, the annual total rainfall in 2023 was 2 774.5 millimetres, about 14 per cent above the 1991-2020 normal of 2 431.2 millimetres. Eight red rainstorm warnings and two black rainstorm warnings were issued by the Observatory in the year. The number of days with thunderstorms reported in Hong Kong was 40 days in 2023, about two days fewer than the 1991-2020 normal.
 
     A total of 19 tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in 2023, fewer than the long-term (1961-2020) average of about 30. There were 11 tropical cyclones reaching typhoon intensity (Note 6) or above during the year, fewer than the long-term average of about 15, and five of them reached super typhoon intensity (with maximum 10-minute wind speeds of 185 km/h or above near the centre). In Hong Kong, five tropical cyclones necessitated the issuance of tropical cyclone warning signals, slightly fewer than the long-term average of about six in a year. The Hurricane Signal No. 10 was issued during the passage of Saola in September, the Increasing Gale or Storm Signal No. 9 was issued during the passage of Koinu in October and the Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 was issued during the passage of Talim in July.
 
     Detailed descriptions of the weather for individual months are available on the Monthly Weather Summary webpage:
www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/pastwx/mws/mws.htm.
 
     A detailed version of the Year's Weather for 2023 with some significant weather events in Hong Kong is available at:
www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/pastwx/ywx.htm.
 
Note 1: Climatological normals for the reference period of 1961-1990, 1971-2000, 1981-2010 and 1991-2020 are available at: www.weather.gov.hk/en/cis/normal.htm. Climatological normals of 1991-2020 are referenced in the text unless otherwise stated.
Note 2: "Very hot day" refers to the condition with the daily maximum temperature equal to or higher than 33.0 degrees.
Note 3: "Hot night" refers to the condition with the daily minimum temperature equal to or higher than 28.0 degrees.
Note 4: "Extremely hot day" refers to the condition with the daily maximum temperature equal to or higher than 35.0 degrees.
Note 5: "Cold day" refers to the condition with the daily minimum temperature equal to or lower than 12.0 degrees.
Note 6: Information on the classification of Tropical Cyclones is available at: www.weather.gov.hk/en/informtc/class.htm.