The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will begin her visit to Chicago, New Orleans and New York of the United States (US) on May 27 (US time) to promote the advantages of Hong Kong as an international post-secondary edu… read more
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, this afternoon (May 27) visited the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) to learn about the athletes’ preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, and to cheer for them.
Accompanied by the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Sam Wong, Mr Yeung toured various facilities at the HKSI, including the fencing hall, the table tennis hall, the fitness training centre and the swimming complex. The visiting officials exchanged views with athletes and coaches to learn about their training arrangements as well as the support provided by the HKSI, encouraging the athletes to give their best performance in the Games.
Mr Yeung said, “The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will soon be held in Paris. I hope the participating Hong Kong athletes will perform well. During their stay in Paris, I encourage them to have more exchanges and interactions with athletes of other delegations, demonstrating their sportsmanship and sharing the latest of Hong Kong.
“The Government successfully procured the broadcasting rights of the Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Hong Kong. Three local licensed television broadcasters and Radio Television Hong Kong will broadcast the Games in accordance with government requirements, allowing all Hong Kong citizens to watch the Games for free, and give support to Mainland and Hong Kong athletes. The arrangement is generally well received by all sectors of society, and is considered conducive to promoting sports development in Hong Kong. I look forward to watching the Games with everyone and supporting the athletes,” he said.
The Paris Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will be held July 26 to August 11 and August 28 to September 8 respectively. In addition to the HKSI’s support, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau has set aside funds under the Arts and Sport Development Fund (Sports Portion) to support the athletes to prepare for and participate in the Games.
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (May 29) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2024 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
In addition, the Construction Industry Security of Payment Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.
On Members’ motions, Professor Lau Chi-pang will move a motion on developing digital education. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Professor William Wong, Mr Shang Hailong, Professor Chan Wing-kwong and Mr Kenneth Leung will move separate amendments to Professor Lau’s motion.
Mr Chan Hak-kan will move a motion on seizing the opportunities of accelerating the development of new quality productive forces in the country. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Johnny Ng, Professor William Wong, Mr Sunny Tan, Mr Shang Hailong, Mr Dennis Leung, Dr Tan Yueheng and Mr Yim Kong will move separate amendments to Mr Chan’s motion.
Mr Duncan Chiu will move proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation. The proposed resolution is set out in Appendix 3.
Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats. read more
On the first day of the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) to cover eight Mainland cities, namely Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan and Urumqi, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (May 27) visited the Hong Kong International Airport Visitor Centre of the Hong Kong Tourism Board to ensure that relevant units are well prepared to welcome visitors from the eight cities with a view to providing them with comprehensive travel information about Hong Kong and extending warm hospitality to the visitors.
“The further expansion of the IVS to cover all provincial capitals in our country will help Hong Kong better connect and interact with residents from all provincial capitals through tourism activities, while promoting two-way visits between Hong Kong and different provincial capital cities and attracting more high value-added overnight visitors to Hong Kong. We look forward to welcoming more visitors from different cities to come to explore Hong Kong and experience Hong Kong’s unique appeal as an international tourism destination,” Mr Yeung said.
The Government has prepared a series of arrangements to allow Mainland visitors to personally experience the extraordinary charm of Hong Kong as an international metropolis and a culinary capital, which includes distributing vouchers valued at $200 by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to IVS visitors from the eight cities to enable them to spend at various types of restaurants and shops, as well as inviting representatives from the tourism trade of the eight cities and relevant Mainland media to Hong Kong to introduce to them Hong Kong’s unique features, including the latest information of tourism products, with the aim of jointly promoting visitors’ touring and consumption in Hong Kong.
​Starting from May 27, 2024, the number of designated Mainland cities eligible for the IVS have been increased to 59.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 27) closely monitoring a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6) on the Mainland, and again urged the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The case involves a 52-year-old female living in Quanzhou city in Fujian Province, who had exposure to backyard poultry before the onset of symptoms. She developed symptoms on April 13 and was admitted to a hospital for treatment on April 20. She passed away on April 30.
From 2014 to date, 90 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by Mainland health authorities.
“All novel influenza A infections, including H5N6, are notifiable infectious diseases in Hong Kong,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
Travellers to the Mainland or other affected areas must avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. They should also avoid purchasing live or freshly slaughtered poultry, and avoid touching poultry/birds or their droppings. They should strictly observe personal and hand hygiene when visiting any place with live poultry.
Travellers returning from affected areas should consult a doctor promptly if symptoms develop, and inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potential diseases. It is essential to tell the doctor if they have seen any live poultry during travel, which may imply possible exposure to contaminated environments. This will enable the doctor to assess the possibility of avian influenza and arrange necessary investigations and appropriate treatment in a timely manner.
While local surveillance, prevention and control measures are in place, the CHP will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments.
The public should maintain strict personal, hand, food and environmental hygiene and take heed of the advice below when handling poultry: