Tag Archives: China

     The Second Phase Opening-up of Sha Tau Kok will begin on January 1 next year. Initially, up to 1 000 tourists per day will be allowed to visit all parts of Sha Tau Kok, except Chung Ying Street, after applying online for a Closed Area Permit (CAP), allowing more people to learn about the history, culture, and natural geological features of Sha Tau Kok and nearby outlying islands, and promoting cultural and eco-tourism.
 
     The daily tourist quota includes 700 tour group visitors and 300 individual tourists. Travel agencies or tourists can log onto the Hong Kong Police Force Online Applications Platform (www.es.police.gov.hk) to apply for a free electronic Tourism CAP on a first-come, first-served basis. Hong Kong residents or visitors to Hong Kong can both apply and visit Sha Tau Kok from 7am to 9pm on the date they have applied for. The application process takes three working days. The quota for January is now open for application. Subsequently, applications will be open on the first day of each month for all the quotas in the following month. Tourists may also contact licensed travel agents directly to sign up for tours visiting Sha Tau Kok, and licensed travel agents will handle the relevant application procedures.
 
     The Second Phase Opening-up of Sha Tau Kok features a number of new attractions, including the Chung Ying Street Garden, which is situated in front of the Chung Ying Street Checkpoint, where visitors will find a viewing deck overlooking Chung Ying Street and a replica of an old railway station in Hong Kong as well as a model actual-size locomotive. The Fish Lantern Square also displays scenes of the national intangible cultural heritage “Sha Tau Kok fish-lantern dance”, where visitors can immerse themselves in colourful fish lantern installations and feel the unique charm of traditional culture.
 
     Other special attractions include the old Sha Tau Kok Fire Station, which still retains its former appearance, with the replica of a century-old fire-fighting hand cart being displayed from time to time; the mural paintings at Shun Ping Street depicting traditional cultural activities in Sha Tau Kok, and more, which are full of the unique history and culture of the district. Tourists can also go to the Sha Tau Kok Post Office to buy Sha Tau Kok specialty postcards and stamp them with the post office’s unique postal chops. They can also visit the longest pier in Hong Kong, Sha Tau Kok Pier, and the largest remaining Guangzhou-style arcade complex in Hong Kong, “San Lau Street”, as well as the statutory monument Hip Tin Temple, and more. Visitors can also relish Sha Tau Kok’s traditional or special cuisine, and learn about the different facets of Sha Tau Kok.
 
     The Hong Kong Tourism Board has launched a thematic website (www.discoverhongkong.com/tc/explore/discover-sha-tau-kok.html) to introduce the “Top 10 attractions”, “Top 10 delicacies” and “Top 10 cultural attractions” of Sha Tau Kok to allow visitors and locals to explore its new offerings.
 
     Individual tourists visiting Sha Tau Kok are required to take public transport to Sha Tau Kok. Access of private vehicles is not allowed. Tourists may take the following transport:
 
(1) Bus route Nos. 78S (express) or 78K at MTR Sheung Shui Station or Fanling Station;
(2) Minibus route No. 55K at MTR Sheung Shui Station and get off at the terminal; or
(3) Bus route No. 277A at MTR Lam Tin Station.
 
     Some of the above bus routes only run at specific times. The Transport Department will issue traffic notices to announce details of public transport services. The bus company will also update its website for passengers to check the relevant information.

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Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 18) reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illness or other chronic illnesses.

     “Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather,” the spokesman said.

     Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can in turn impair their ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders may undermine the health of elderly people and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Persons with chronic illnesses such as chronic respiratory illnesses or heart disease are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather.

     The CHP reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:
 

• Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks accordingly;
• Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;
• Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;
• Stay in a warm environment and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;
• Use heaters with care, and maintain adequate indoor ventilation; and
• Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.

     In addition, the public should avoid alcoholic beverages.

     “Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead,” the spokesman said.

     “Parents should ensure that babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies relatively lightly clothed to avoid overheating them,” the spokesman added.

     Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:  

• Keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature;
• Always place babies on their back to sleep. Leave their head, face and arms uncovered during sleep;
• Babies do not need pillows. Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects, pillows and loose bedding;
• Let babies sleep in a cot placed in the parents’ room and near their bed; and
• Maintain a smoke-free environment.

 
     In addition, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP’s website.
      
     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and the length of stay. It is important for elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination. They should also receive an additional booster against COVID-19 according to recommendations as soon as possible. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

    
     Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hot pot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:
 

• Wash hands before handling and consuming food;
• Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;
• Wash and cook all food thoroughly;
• Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from the surface and crevices;
• Shrimps should be fully cooked until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;
• For shellfish such as scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;
• Most hot pot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;
• Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hot pot; and
• Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.

     In addition, when using fuel-burning appliances, especially in indoor areas, the public should ensure adequate ventilation to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning.

     For more health information, the public may call the DH’s Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit the CHP’s website and Facebook Fanpage.

     The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory for the latest weather information and forecast, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens. read more

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:      Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Cold Weather Warning is in force:    &nbs… read more

     The Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) of the Hong Kong Police Force organised the “West Kowloon CHILL RUN Winter Market cum Anti-Scam Charity Run 2023” at the West Kowloon Cultural District today (December 17). The event aimed at raising public awareness of prevalent scams through an innovative approach, so as to increase the public awareness of scam prevention and to minimise their chances of being scammed. At the same time, it also raised funds to help two local charity organisations, namely, “Food Angel”, and “Operation Breakthrough”.

     Addressing at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, said that the number of deception cases around the world has continued to rise in recent years. Hong Kong is also facing the same challenge. In the first 10 months this year, Hong Kong has recorded 33 923 deception cases, an increase of more than 50 per cent as compared with the same period last year. Police have been endeavouring  to combat scams through a multi-pronged strategy, including intelligence gathering, enforcement action, as well as publicity and education. However, it takes more than the efforts of Police to combat deception effectively. In order to comprehensively enhance the effectiveness to fight against deception, it is necessary for all sectors of the community to unite together to make good use of the expertise and resources in different areas, work together to formulate measures to combat deception and to promote anti-deception messages. Mr Siu also appealed to the public to pay more attention to Police’s scam prevention publicity, stay vigilant at all times and make good use of Police’s round-the-clock enquiry hotline “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” and “Scameter+”. They should also actively share scam prevention messages with people around them.

     Also officiating at the ceremony were the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming; the Director of Crime and Security, Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Assistant Commissioner (Crime), Ms Chung Wing-man; the Chief Superintendent of the Commercial Crime Bureau, Mr Yau Kin-hung; and the Deputy Director of Macao Judiciary Police, Mr Sou Sio-keong.

     This is the first charity event under the theme of anti-scam organised by Police. The  Charity Run in the morning attracted more than 1 750 registrations from the public. The Kowloon West Region won the “Most Supportive Police Major Formation” award while the Kai Shing Management Services Limited Company, a subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties, won the “Most Supportive Organisation” award. In addition to the Champion, First Runner-up and Second Runner-up prizes for the Male and Female group’s 4km event, the Charity Run also featured new prizes for the “Best Anti-scam Theme Costume Award”, the “Best Christmas Theme Costume Award” and the “Most Creative Costume Award”. As a result, many runners dressed up to compete for the awards.

     In addition, Mr Siu also presented the “Outstanding Partnership” trophies to 26 representatives from the public and private organisations attending the event to pay tributes to their contribution in assisting Police in preventing and combating scam in the past year.

     For more details on this event, please visit the website of the ADCC (www.adcc.gov.hk).

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