â€‹The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, visited Guangzhou and Shenzhen between June 24 and 25, and paid courtesy calls on various aviation authorities and units to understand the regulatory framework and practical implementation of low-altitude economy (LAE) and advanced air-mobility initiatives.
      
     Mr Liu met the Director-General of the Central and Southern Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Mr Li Shuangchen, heads of respective divisions and the Guangzhou Airworthiness Certification Centre of the CAAC. Mr Liu was briefed on the latest status of LAE activities in Guangdong, and the oversight arrangements of unmanned aircraft in many aspects regarding airworthiness, remote pilots, operations and air traffic management. 
      
     Mr Liu said that with the support of the CAAC, the Civil Aviation Department will continue to strengthen mutual collaboration and seize opportunities in accordance with the directions of the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
      
     During his stay in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Mr Liu also visited several entities to observe the production, maintenance, operation and surveillance of unmanned aircraft systems, and understand the latest developments of the industry.
      
     The delegation included Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics Ms Joan Hung; Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation Mr Dominic Chow; the Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Airport Standards), Miss Clara Wong; and the Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Flight Standards), Mr Michael Yuen.

     The Department has been meeting legislators and industry stakeholders to solicit views on fostering a low-altitude economy based on the actual needs and circumstances of Hong Kong. 
      
     Mr Liu will return to Hong Kong today (June 25).

    

     Following is the speech by the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the opening ceremony of the "The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery 1770-1910 from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris" special exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum this evening (June 25):
 
Consul General Drulhe (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Ms Christile Drulhe), Mrs Corréard (Chief Executive Officer of Les Arts Décoratifs, Mrs Sylvie Corréard), Mr Figueras (Director of International Development and Production of Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, Mr Yvon Figueras), Winnie (Chairman of Hong Kong Palace Museum Board, Ms Winnie Tam), Joe (Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Joe Wong), Betty (Chief Executive Officer of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mrs Betty Fung), Louis (Director of Hong Kong Palace Museum, Dr Louis Ng), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. ​It is my great pleasure to be here for the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Palace Museum's special exhibition "The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery 1770-1910 from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris". I warmly welcome our esteemed guests coming all the way from Paris to Hong Kong. The year of 2024 is an especially important year to celebrate our friendship with France on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the China-France diplomatic relations. We would like to thank you for your wonderful support in bringing the amazing arts and culture from France to Hong Kong.
 
     "The Adorned Body" is a magnificent exhibition. It tells a fascinating story about French fashion, which has had immense global influence for the past two centuries. Over 300 exquisite pieces of French costumes and accessories from the late 18th to the early 20th centuries will be shown. Almost all of the exhibits will be displayed in Asia for the first time, and some of them have never been seen outside France or even Paris. It is our honour to have such a comprehensive and beautiful collection of historical clothing, jewellery and fashion accessory pieces from France exhibited in Hong Kong. Taking place at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which houses the imperial costume and jewellery pieces from the Qing dynasty, this exhibition can be viewed in an intercultural context, demonstrating the blend of Chinese and Western cultures in our city. I am confident that the extraordinary beauty of the historical French fashion and its cultural significance will further strengthen our people-to-people exchange and mutual admiration between China and France, which are deep-rooted with present-day resonance.
 
     This exhibition is one of the four in the West Kowloon Cultural District this year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The staging of these exhibitions and other international projects is fully in line with the goal of our Government to further develop Hong Kong into a major destination for cultural tourism and the East-meets-West Centre for international cultural exchange. With our cultural pluralism and international outlook, we are well placed to be one of the world's finest cultural cities for generations to come.
 
     I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs team, which has made it possible for our residents and tourists from far and near to enjoy these stunning treasures of fashion and jewellery from their prestigious collection.
 
     Before I close, I also would like to congratulate the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Hong Kong Palace Museum on making this exceptional exhibition a reality by collaborating with the Paris team.
 
     I wish the exhibition a huge success and everyone here an enjoyable day. Thank you.

     The Government announced today (June 25) the "Agri enJoy" Scheme to facilitate farms engaged in commercial agricultural production, with a view to promoting the development of leisure farming in Hong Kong.

     A Government spokesman said, "The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has launched the 'Agri enJoy' Scheme to enable farms engaged in commercial agricultural production to operate agriculture-related ancillary businesses, so as to increase their income and promote their agricultural products. Members of the public will also get a chance to experience and learn more about agricultural production. The Scheme is a highlighted measure under the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries for promoting leisure farming."

     Participating farms of the Scheme may operate ancillary businesses including preparation of light meals with self-grown crops and non-flame cooking, provision of "pick-your-own crops" activities, on-farm sale of self-grown crops, and on-farm activities, including guided tours and farming experiences or workshops, which aim at promoting farming education, with a view to creating diverse, enriched and unique visiting experiences for members of the public and visitors to enjoy leisure farming.

     Relevant departments have reviewed the regulations concerned and lifted restrictions to facilitate the development of the trade. According to the revised Definition of Terms used in Statutory Plans promulgated by the Town Planning Board, planning permission is not required for "Agri enJoy" farms to undertake ancillary activities directly related to commercial crop farming and aquaculture endorsed by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation at sites permitted for "Agricultural Use" under the provisions of the relevant statutory plan.

     Furthermore, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, taking into consideration the unique environment of such farms, and without compromising food safety and environmental hygiene, has drawn up a set of relaxed requirements for food business licences.  

     The spokesman noted that the AFCD will enhance promotion and introduction of "Agri enJoy" farms through various channels, such as websites and social media platforms. The AFCD will also continue to organise large-scale events, such as the annual FarmFest and other fishermen and farmers' markets, to assist "Agri enJoy" farms in promoting their agriculture-related ancillary businesses.

     The "Agri enJoy" Scheme and related food business licences are now open for applications. Eligibility for application and other details can be found on the following website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/LF/LF.html.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited relating to phishing emails, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the emails concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 25) investigating a case of suspected mad honey poisoning, and reminded the public to buy honey from a reliable source or apiary.

     A 50-year-old male developed dizziness, vomiting and shortness of breath around 30 minutes after consuming honey yesterday (June 24). He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on the same day and was admitted for treatment due to hypotension and bradycardia. The patient was in stable condition. His clinical diagnosis was suspected mad honey poisoning.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient consumed honey brought to Hong Kong by a friend from Nepal. The poisoning might have been caused by grayanotoxin. Investigations are ongoing.

     "Mad honey poisoning is caused by ingestion of honey containing grayanotoxins derived from plants belonging to the Ericaceae family, including rhododendrons. Grayanotoxins are neurotoxins which can affect nerves and muscles. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, hypersalivation and paraesthesia shortly after ingestion. In severe cases, hypotension, bradycardia or shock may occur," a spokesman for the CHP explained.

     Members of the public are reminded to take heed of the following preventive advice:

• Buy honey from a reliable source or apiary;
• Discard honey with a bitter or astringent taste – grayanotoxin-containing honey may cause a burning sensation in the throat; and
• Pay special attention to honey from India, Nepal and the Black Sea region of Türkiye as there have been grayanotoxin poisoning cases connected with honey from these areas.