â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 31) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 4 900 food samples tested were found to be satisfactory except for nine unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.8 per cent.
   
     A CFS spokesman said about 1 200 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 3 700 samples were taken for chemical and radiation level tests.
   
     The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygiene indicators; the chemical tests included testing for pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others; and the radiation level tests included testing for radioactive caesium and iodine in samples collected from imported food from different regions.
   
     The samples comprised about 1 500 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 500 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 600 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 600 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 500 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 1 200 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).
   
     The nine unsatisfactory samples comprised a prepackaged almond milk sample and a prepackaged walnut milk sample detected with a non-permitted preservative; a prepackaged date sample detected with sulphur dioxide exceeding the legal limit and in breach of the food labelling regulations; a prepackaged scallop-flavoured noodle sample in breach of food labelling regulation; a baby snack sample suspected to be contaminated with aflatoxin; a chilled duck sample detected with sulfonamides exceeding the legal limit; a ready-to-eat raw oyster sample found with excessive Escherichia coli; a cream sample detected with total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit and a passion fruit sample detected with excessive pesticide residue.
  
     The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the above-mentioned unsatisfactory samples including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, instructing them to stop selling the affected food items and tracing the sources of the food items in question.
   
     The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for human consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.
   
     Separately, as the Japanese Government has commenced the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the CFS will continue enhancing the testing on imported Japanese food, and make reference to the risk assessment results to adjust relevant surveillance work in a timely manner. The CSF will announce every working day on its dedicated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/daily_japan_nuclear_incidents.html) the radiological test results of the samples of food imported from Japan, with a view to enabling the trade and members of the public to have a better grasp of the latest safety information.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government was notified by the Shenzhen authority that cargo clearance services at the Man Kam To Boundary Control Point (BCP) will resume at 7am on November 2 (Thursday), while clearance services for passengers and other vehicles will continue to be suspended until further notice. Cross-boundary passengers and other vehicles are advised to use other land BCPs to travel to and from the Mainland.
 
     The HKSAR Government will continue to maintain close liaison and co-ordination with the Shenzhen authority on further resumption of clearance services at the relevant BCP. Announcement will be made in due course once further details are available.

     The Public Relations Wing of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) will launch a brand-new online programme titled "OffBeat 360" tomorrow (November 1). With concise and lively content, the 6-minute pre-recorded programme will be live-streamed on HKPF's two social media platforms (Facebook and YouTube) at 6pm every Wednesday. During the live stream, designated personnel will seek to engage in real-time online interaction with viewers.

     The new programme is to replace the original "OffBeat On Air". Starting from October 29, 2020, the latter had been broadcast on HKPF's social media platforms through live streaming once a week. The length of each episode was similar to a traditional half-hour television show, approximately 22 minutes, during which the latest crime trends, crime prevention and fraud prevention information, as well as inspiring stories about HKPF were presented. As of October 26, 2023, a total of 157 episodes had been produced and aired.

     The publicity strategy of HKPF has always been people-oriented and keeping pace with the times. With the rapid rise of short video platforms, which are perceived as more engaging and easily shareable compared to longer videos, there is a genuine need to renew the format and length of the programme in line with the development of social media and the change of Internet users’ habits.

     The name of the new programme "OffBeat 360" carries three meanings:
1. It will be broadcast at 6pm every Wednesday.
2. It is a 6-minute (360 seconds) short but informative video.
3. It aims to present a 360-degree view on crime prevention and fraud prevention information, as well as inspiring stories about the HKPF.

     Each episode of the new programme will consist of diverse short videos, ranging from one to three minutes in length. It will feature long-standing popular series as well as newly created ones, with the goal of attracting viewers through storytelling, informative, and entertaining content.

     Apart from online streaming, the short videos in the new programme will have the flexibility to be more effectively distributed to partners, including various local television stations (RTHK TV channels, HOYTV, and Phoenix TV), as well as over 1,500 physical screens for offline playback. In addition, the Public Relations Wing will continue to explore more physical screens in the community for playback with a view to further expanding the coverage.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (October 31):

Reporter: Chief Executive, no opposition groups bagged nominations for the District Council Election while some small parties led by pro-establishment figures like Michael Tien could not file candidates to the election as well. So do you think the revamped system also prevents patriots out of the system, and can the District Councils be diversified as you said in terms of political spectrum? The second question is a Chinese University scholar whose academic work includes June 4 movement has been denied visa and got fired. What do you think could be the possible reasons, and does that counter Hong Kong's plan to snatch global talents? Thank you.

Chief Executive: First of all, about the improved District Council election system, we have to ensure all the procedures and the rules governing the election apply equally to everybody. All these rules, principles and procedures are made very open, fair, and we explained all these matters every now and then clearly. If anybody wants to take part in the election, then of course he has to satisfy a few requirements as laid down in this improved election system. They include, first of all, he must be a patriot, he must support the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and he has also to obtain sufficient nomination votes. For those who are given this right to give the nomination, they have also to ensure that those who have been seeking the nomination will satisfy the conditions I have just mentioned. Also, in exercising this duty, the person in consideration whether to give the nomination has to convince himself that the person who is seeking his nomination is a competent person, and will be able to discharge his duty as a district councillor effectively and faithfully, and satisfy his basic expectations. That applies to anybody – whatever backgrounds, whether he belongs to any political party or not. I think that is most important, because the system has to be fair and apply to everybody in the same way. I think that is the most important principle for all elections to be considered, because fair and equal application is most important.

     A candidate will have to respect the decision of the person whom he seeks the nomination from. That is the basic attitude – whenever we want to convince other people that we are a right person to discharge this public duty, then it is up to him to convince people. It is also the right attitude to recognise that in order to convince the other person, then you have to respect his decision as well, and it is up to you to ensure that you can convince the person you want to convince. I think that is the very basic concept, principle and attitude of any person who wants to seek people's nomination or even eventually their votes.

     In regard to the Government's decision to grant a visa application or not, I think the Immigration Department will always act in accordance with prevailing policy and the principles, which include whether the person holds a valid travel document, whether he is going to be a burden to Hong Kong, or whether there is any risk regarding security and crime. All these cases are handled, as usual, in accordance with all these principles. I think all these principles are actually on the website of the Immigration Department, so the Immigration Department will deal with each and every case accordingly.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) today (October 31) hosted the polling-cum-counting station management training for supervisory-level electoral staff of the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election (DCOE). Through talks on the electoral arrangements and experience sharing, the training aimed at deepening staff's understanding of their management duties in polling-cum-counting stations so as to achieve smooth operation on the polling day. The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), Mr Justice David Lok, was present to give a briefing to the staff.
 
     The 2023 DCOE will be held on December 10. The REO will set up more than 600 District Council geographical constituency (DCGC) ordinary polling stations across the territory to serve over 4.33 million electors, as well as one District Committees constituency (DCC) polling station in each of the 18 Districts for voting of DCC electors.
 
     On the polling day, more than 30 000 civil servants from different bureaux/departments will discharge electoral duties at different posts. The REO hosted polling-cum-counting station management training for supervisory-level electoral staff today covering the new and important electoral arrangements, maintaining order at polling-cum-counting stations, responses to crises and complaints handling, and determination of questionable ballot papers, etc.
 
     Mr Justice Lok briefed around 2 000 supervisory-level electoral staff on the polling and counting arrangements and points-to-note of this election, including the different polling hours between DCGC and DCC elections, the set-up of a special queue for persons in need, use of the Electronic Poll Register (EPR) system to issue ballot papers, procedures for conversion of a polling station into a counting station, and procedures and techniques for handling complaints, etc.
 
     "The District Councils (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 (the Ordinance) was published in the Gazette and came into effect on July 10. This election is of great significance as it is the first territory-wide district level election after the reform of the District Councils. To ensure the smooth accomplishment of the electoral work on the polling day, electoral staff must read and familiarise themselves with the operational manual and the guidelines as prepared by the REO. The Presiding Officers and Deputy Presiding Officers are fully supported by the EAC, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the REO, and relevant bureaux/departments" said Mr Justice Lok.
 
     "The EAC will closely monitor the conduct of the election on the polling day. In case of irregularities and emergencies in the polling or counting stations and assistance or support is required, staff should contact the Central Command Centre as quickly as possible. I believe through co-operation among all, the election will be open, fair, honest, and be smoothly conducted in a safe, orderly and efficient manner," Mr Justice Lok added.
 
     Staff from the REO briefed attendees on the composition of the District Councils under the Ordinance and electoral arrangements and introduced the EPR system with hands-on practice to familiarise staff with the operation of the system and steps for issuance of ballot papers. In addition, representatives from the Department of Justice, the Police, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Fire Services Department and the Hong Kong Society for the Blind hosted briefing sessions during the training to share with attendees their work experience in elections and crisis management.
 
     The REO will arrange a number of training sessions with practical sessions, drills and simulated activities for electoral staff so that they can be well-versed in the work procedures for making comprehensive preparations for the DCOE.