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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (Jun 18) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Yuen Long this afternoon (June 17) in which a man died.
​The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 16) detected two passenger drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 5.3 kilograms of suspected heroin and about 2.1kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $5 million. A man and a woman were arrested.
The first case involved a 48-year-old female passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, a batch of suspected cannabis buds weighing about 2.1kg in total was found concealed in eight packs of snacks inside her check-in baggage. The woman was arrested immediately.
The second case involved a 37-year-old male passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 5.3kg of suspected heroin was found concealed in three food packaging boxes inside his check-in baggage and he was subsequently arrested.
The two arrested persons have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Both cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 18).
Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin (HKETO Berlin) sponsored the Berlin CityCup dragon boat races held on June 15 and 16 (Berlin time).
Since its inaugural edition in 1999, the Berlin CityCup has gone from strength to strength, and has fostered friendships between Hong Kong and German communities. This year, over 1 000 paddlers on 50 teams from all over Germany competed at the Olympic Regatta Course in Berlin-Grünau. HKETO Berlin staff also formed a team, the "Hong Kong Waverunners", with paddlers from Germany and Hong Kong.
During the award ceremony held on June 15, the Acting Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Billy Leung, presented trophies to the winning teams and introduced the dragon boat celebration events in Hong Kong to the audience.
"In Hong Kong, the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Our annual international dragon boat race is a flagship mega event, attracting over 100 teams and spectators around the globe every year to Hong Kong's famous Victoria Harbour. We welcome you all to visit Hong Kong to experience yourselves the vibrancy of the city," Mr Leung said.
HKETO Berlin also set up a promotional booth at the race venue to provide spectators more information on the traditions of the festival, as well as tourist attractions and a calendar of mega events in Hong Kong.
About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the reception for the 76th Independence Day of the State of Israel today (June 17):
Consul-General Amir Laty (Consul-General of the State of Israel in Hong Kong, Mr Amir Laty), Commissioner Pan Yundong (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Pan Yundong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
​ Good evening.
​I am pleased to be here with you, tonight, at the reception marking the 76th Independence Day of the State of Israel.
Since the 1850s, when the Jewish community first took root in Hong Kong, our two economies, our two peoples, have developed multi-level ties.
Our trade relation is strong. As the Consul General said, our bilateral merchandise trade increased to around US$4.7 billion last year, representing an increase of more than 38 per cent. Our growth in exports to Israel last year includes a strong re-export element, reflecting Hong Kong's strength as an international trading centre.
Our two economies have also reached bilateral agreements in such areas as cultural exchange, air services, information technology, communications, and industrial research and development.
I believe Hong Kong and Israel share a similar innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, visible in such initiatives as the Hong Kong-Israel R&D Cooperation Programme, which encourages collaboration on product development and commercialisation in the global market.
Financial technology is another promising area. Today, Hong Kong is home to about 1 000 fintech companies. Israel also has long thrived in fintech.
I am pleased to note the signing of the MOU, in 2020, between Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission and the Israel Securities Authority, promoting fintech collaboration.
Israeli companies and start-ups can count on Hong Kong and our "one country, two systems" advantage, our rule of law and the free flow of capital, funds, people and data, our longstanding commitment to free trade and multilateral co-operation, and our close connectivity with the Mainland and Asia markets.
Thanks to that singular advantage, Hong Kong's business promise also includes pivotal roles in such key national strategies as the Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative.
As an international financial centre, Hong Kong's doors are wide open. We continue to welcome business, capital and talent from all over the world. Here, they could realise their ambitions with the support of our world-class financial and professional services. Indeed, Hong Kong is the best base for Israeli companies to extend their reach to the Greater Bay Area, the Chinese Mainland, the rest of Asia and beyond.
My regards, once again, to the people of Israel on your nation's 76th Independence Day. Thank you.
