The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, will visit New York and Chicago of the United States (US) from April 8 (New York time).

     The visit aims to exchange with and update the US business community and academics on the financial services development of Hong Kong as well as promoting the city's financial and professional services. During his visit, Mr Hui will meet with academics, and leaders of financial and business institutions in the US.  

     Mr Hui will also take part in a number of receptions and events, including the reception with Hong Kong community in New York, as well as the breakfast seminar co-hosted by the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and the Hong Kong Spring Reception in Chicago. 

     Mr Hui will return to Hong Kong on April 13. During Mr Hui's visit, the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, will act as the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     The Marine Department today (April 8) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported. Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 6) seized about 9.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and about 30 grams of suspected crack cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $2.2 million in Yuen Long. A man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested. 

     During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Yuen Long last night, Customs officers intercepted a 47-year-old man and found about 2.8kg of suspected cannabis buds inside two plastic bags carried by him. He was then arrested. Customs officers later escorted the arrested man to his rented flat nearby for a search, and further seized about 6.7kg of suspected cannabis buds, 30g of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia.

     Upon follow-up investigations, Customs officers further seized about 20g of suspected cannabis buds in another residential flat rented by the arrested man in Yuen Long.

     The arrested man has been charged with three counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 8).

     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/).

  

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 (April 7) that due to inclement weather, red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (April 9) to consider an application for amendment of a liquor licence.

     The application is:
 
Hong Kong:
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JB Live in Wan Chai

     The board will also consider revocation of the liquor licence of Haku in Central.

     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend.