The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 27) that in view of a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Saga Prefecture in Japan, 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 1 080 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 200.84 million poultry eggs from Japan in the first nine months of this year. 

     â€‹"The CFS has contacted the Japanese authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health 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.

     Hongkong Post announced today (November 27) that, as advised by the postal administration of Serbia, mail delivery services previously impacted by a local strike at the destination have returned to normal.

     Hongkong Post announced today (November 27) that, as advised by the postal administration of Greece, mail delivery services previously impacted by flooding and landslides have returned to normal.

     The Mainland Higher Education Expo 2024/25 (Expo), jointly organised by the Ministry of Education and the Education Bureau (EDB), will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on December 2 and 3. The Expo will provide students aspiring to pursue further studies on the Mainland and their parents with information on the arrangements of the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions (Admission Scheme) for the academic year as well as on students' progression of study.
                    
     There are 138 Mainland higher education institutions participating in the Admission Scheme (listed in Annex), of which 129 will set up exhibition booths to provide information on aspects such as faculties and subjects, admission criteria and the number of student places. Representatives from the Ministry of Education will also explain the application procedures and admission arrangements of the Admission Scheme.
                    
     A number of sharing sessions will be held during the Expo, covering topics including an introduction by representatives of Mainland institutions to the characteristics of individual programmes, a discussion of their study experiences by Hong Kong students who graduated from Mainland institutions, and an analysis of career prospects provided by guest speakers. The Expo also has an online platform (www.studymainland.hk) where all participating Mainland higher education institutions will set up virtual exhibition booths.
                    
     In addition, the EDB has collaborated with the China Education Exchange (Hong Kong) Centre and Hok Yau Club to compile the Handbook on the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions. The handbook provides comprehensive information on the Admission Scheme and further studies on the Mainland. It will be distributed free of charge at the Expo. The electronic version (Chinese version only) will also be available at the EDB's website (www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/tc/edu-system/postsecondary/policy-doc/pilot-scheme/scheme_2024/Handbook2024_25.pdf).
                    
     The Ministry of Education has earlier announced the detailed arrangements of the Admission Scheme for the 2024/25 academic year. The number of Mainland higher education institutions participating in the Scheme will increase to 138, coming from 21 provinces/municipalities and one autonomous region of the Mainland. Candidates sitting for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination in 2024 can apply with their results.
                    
     The Mainland higher education institutions participating in the Admission Scheme admit Hong Kong students based on their HKDSE Examination results, thereby exempting them from taking the Joint Entrance Examination for Mainland Institutions, and providing them with multiple study pathways and opportunities to connect with the country's development.
                    
     Details of the Admission Scheme are available at the EDB's website (www.edb.gov.hk/admissionscheme). 

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (November 27) that the Avenue of Stars will be temporarily closed from 6pm on November 29 to 8am on December 1 for a event to be held at the venue. During the period, members of the public and tourists are advised to refrain from going to the Avenue of Stars. If necessary, please follow the venue staff's instructions to pass through the area via Salisbury Road instead. 

     For details on the arrangements during the closure period, please visit the Avenue of Stars Management Limited's website: www.avenueofstars.com.hk/en