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Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 24) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
The Government gazetted a designation order today (November 24) under the Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208) to designate the Robin's Nest Country Park (RNCP).
Robin's Nest is located at Sha Tau Kok in the northeastern New Territories. The designated country park, adjacent to the boundary between Hong Kong and the Mainland, occupies an area of about 530 hectares. Consisting of secondary woodland, shrubland and upland grassland, the RNCP is rich in biodiversity with many plant and animal species of high conservation value, such as red azalea, incense tree, Chinese grassbird and Chinese pipistrelle.
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said, "Designating Robin's Nest as a country park will confer on the Country and Marine Parks Authority statutory power and responsibilities to carry out management measures in the area concerned for conservation, recreation and education purposes. Regulated under the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations, the RNCP's biodiversity, natural environment, scenic landscape and cultural heritage resources will be better conserved. In addition, the RNCP is adjacent to the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain Scenic Area, contributing to the creation of a cross-boundary ecological corridor between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and promoting ecological integration between the two places."
The spokesman further said, "The Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine site within the RNCP will be revitalised as an open museum to showcase the mining history and bat ecology to members of the public. Recreational facilities such as a hiking trail network, picnic sites and viewing points, together with supporting facilities such as notice boards, directional signs and rain shelters, will be provided at suitable locations in the park."
The draft map of the RNCP was made available for public inspection from December 2, 2022, to January 30, 2023. During the period, four objections were received. After the conduct of a hearing held on March 28, 2023, the Country and Marine Parks Board rejected all the objections in whole.
On June 27, 2023, the Chief Executive in Council approved the draft map of the RNCP. The approved map was then deposited in the Land Registry on August 4, 2023, in accordance with the Ordinance.
The designation order in respect of the approved map of the RNCP will be tabled at the Legislative Council on November 29, 2023, for negative vetting, and is expected to commence on March 1, 2024.
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Tai Po yesterday (November 23), in which a 73-year-old male minibus driver died.
At 8.37pm, a minibus driven by the 73-year-old man was travelling along Nam Wan Road southbound. When turning right to Kwong Fuk Road, it reportedly lost control and rammed into a kerb.
The driver was trapped inside the vehicle and rescued by firemen. Sustaining serious leg injuries, he was rushed to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 9.30pm. A 58-year-old male passenger sustained abrasion to his hand and leg and was sent to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in conscious state.
Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North is underway.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3800.
A man who went missing in Tseung Kwan O has been located.
Wong Shing-kee, aged 76, went missing after he was last seen at MTR Tseung Kwan O Station on November 20 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.
The man returned to his residence this afternoon (November 23). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, convened the cross-bureau and interdepartmental steering meeting on the preparatory work for the District Council Ordinary Election (DCOE) today (November 23), and was briefed by responsible officials regarding the preparatory work for the polling of the seventh DCOE, which will be held on December 10. He also instructed and advised on the overall plan.
Mr Lee said, "This election is the first major territory-wide election after improving the district governance system and reforming the District Councils (DCs) and is of particular significance. In light of the District Council election that will take place in around two weeks' time, various bureaux and departments should ensure that the election will be conducted in an open, fair, honest, safe and orderly manner. They should endeavor their best in their preparation to achieve four targets: to ensure the polling and counting processes be completed efficiently, to prevent corrupt and illegal conduct, to deliver their best at publicity work and to encourage the public to cast their votes."
The ​Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, together with heads and representatives of other relevant bureaux and departments reported their progress and coordination efforts regarding the preparations for the election.
Mr Lee instructed various bureaux and departments to continue stepping up publicity efforts. By way of actively launching the activities through diverse platforms and creative means targeting all sectors of the community, the public can fully understand that improvements to the district governance system and reforms to the DCs are highly relevant to the public’s livelihood and important to improving governance at the district level, thus motivating the public to cast their votes on the polling day.
Mr Lee also stated that the civil service should shoulder the responsibility of supporting and implementing the policies relating to the District Council election. The civil service should lead by example and fulfill their civic responsibility by casting their votes on December 10 to elect DC members who have the capability and dedication. This will assist bureaux and departments to better grasp the pulse of the community, provide more effective services that cater the needs of the public, and as a result benefit the community.
Mr Lee reminded various bureaux and departments to stay vigilant and resolve any risks, including disruptions and interference, attacks and smearing, and even acts of "soft resistance" against the election. We should adopt the bottom-line thinking, be well-prepared, and take prompt responsive actions, to handle different kinds of contingencies effectively, so as to ensure the election on December 10 can be smoothly completed in a fair, just, clean, safe and orderly manner.
