â€‹With a view to safeguarding animal welfare, staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) were sent today (May 15) to patrol sites where mercy release activities often took place in the past, including Wun Yiu, Tai Po; Ng Tung River, Sheung Shui; Sai Kung Public Pier and Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier, and distributed educational leaflets there to remind the public to think carefully before participating in mercy releases of animals.

     A spokesman for the AFCD said, "If members of the public engage themselves in mercy release activities during which animals are not released in a proper manner, including releasing them into an unsuitable habitat, survival of these animals may be affected."

     Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169), it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to animals by releasing them not in a proper manner. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for three years upon conviction.

     No cases involving suspected animal cruelty caused by animal releases were found today.

     The spokesman stressed that members of the public must think carefully before participating in animal release activities to safeguard animal welfare. The AFCD will launch a fish restocking exercise on National Fish Releasing Day on June 6 to release fish fingerlings in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park to enhance local marine resources and ecology. The department will promote to the public the benefits of fish restocking to the environment, with a view to engaging them in supporting and participating in these science-based restocking exercises in lieu of animal releases not properly conducted. They may also consider other charitable activities such as planting trees or participating in volunteer services with animal welfare groups and environmental organisations.

     The AFCD will continue to patrol places where animal releasing activities are likely to take place, take enforcement action when necessary, and carry out publicity and education work.

    

     â€‹The Hong Kong Pavilion at the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program, a global start-up event, opened in Tokyo, Japan, today (May 15).

     With the theme "Dynamic Hong Kong", the Hong Kong Pavilion brings together 20 Hong Kong start-ups to present their businesses, services and products, and serves as a platform for them to seek business opportunities and collaboration on a global scale. It also introduces to Japanese and international business communities Hong Kong's dynamic business environment and vibrant and diverse start-up ecosystem, as well as its active approach to innovation and technology (I&T).

     The pavilion was set up by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and Invest Hong Kong at Tokyo Big Sight, a convention and exhibition centre in Tokyo, for May 15 and 16.

     At the opening ceremony, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, welcomed the 20 start-ups from Hong Kong, which serve as ambassadors to showcase the theme of the Hong Kong Pavilion, "Dynamic Hong Kong", and to represent Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem.

     "Thanks to the opportunities brought by the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area initiative, as well as the efforts of many stakeholders under the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint promulgated by the Government in December 2022, Hong Kong is capitalising on its advantages in research and development capabilities, world-class infrastructure, trusted legal system and intellectual property framework to develop into one of the world's recognised I&T hubs," she said.

     The opening ceremony was followed by a panel discussion on "Hong Kong's Dynamic Startup Ecosystem", and pitching presentations by participating Hong Kong start-ups.

              

     â€‹The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, together with the Director-General of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr Fan Shijie, will lead the "Mainland of China and HKSAR, China – Joint Business Mission" to visit Hungary and Kazakhstan from tomorrow (May 16) to May 25, with a view to encouraging Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises as well as Hong Kong professional services in "going global" en bloc to explore business opportunities along the Belt and Road and seek collaboration opportunities with relevant Belt and Road countries.
      
     Subsequent to the joint "going global" business mission in 2019, this is the first time the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce are organising a similar mission after the resumption of normalcy. The mission centres on "promoting green development" and "advancing scientific and technological innovation", which are among the eight major steps announced by President Xi Jinping in supporting the joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road development. Hong Kong delegates of the mission include some 30 representatives from local chambers of commerce, professional services, enterprises (including small and medium enterprises and start-ups) as well as businesses related to green development and innovation and technology, covering finance, construction and engineering, new energy and environmental services, legal, accounting, transport and logistics, and innovation and technology, etc. The event is co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the China International Contractors Association.
      
     When in Hungary and Kazakhstan, the delegates will meet with government officials, business leaders and representatives of chambers of commerce, visit a number of enterprises related to green development and innovation and technology, and participate in business matching activities to learn about the latest developments of relevant local industries and promote multi-partite partnership and co-operation.
      
     Upon conclusion of the visits to Hungary and Kazakhstan, the mission will return via Xinjiang to visit enterprises and key infrastructures supporting "going global" under the Belt and Road Initiative, such as an international supply chains hub connecting China and the Eurasian landmass, as well as the China-Europe Railway Express.
      
     Hong Kong delegates of the mission will return to Hong Kong on May 25.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (May 15) that the red flag at Stanley Main Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island has been lowered.

     The red flag was hoisted earlier due to big waves.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 15) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.