The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has implemented the Licence Conditions and Code of Practice for cat trading since April 1, to ensure that cats put up for sale by animal traders should be obtained from approved sources and microchipped.

     A spokesman for the AFCD said today (April 2) that the newly introduced Licence Conditions and Code of Practice were aimed at tightening the control of cats offered for sale by animal traders, to safeguard public health and animal welfare.

     In view of the Licence Conditions and Code of Practice, the AFCD conducted consultation with stakeholders including animal traders and the Animal Welfare Advisory Group.

     To allow the animal trade to familiarise itself with the new requirements and make necessary preparation, the AFCD issued letters to licensed animal traders last year to explain to them in details of the implementation of the Licence Conditions and Code of Practice.

     The newly introduced Licence Conditions stipulate that all cats for sale by animal traders must be from the following sources:

* legal imports into Hong Kong;
* other licensed animal traders; and
* private pet owners.

     "All animal traders are required to keep all documents detailing the sources of cats acquired and make them available for inspection by the AFCD or authorised agencies. The AFCD will continue to step up liaison with veterinarians in private practice to facilitate their understanding of the new arrangements," the spokesman said.

     The AFCD will step up inspection of animal traders. If any animal trader is found to be in breach of the Licence Conditions or Code of Practice, he is liable to a fine and/or suspension of their licences.

     The AFCD reminds the public that all cats sold by licensed animal traders must be microchipped. The implementation arrangements of the Licence Conditions and Code of Practice have been uploaded to AFCD's website (www.pets.gov.hk/english/highlights/COP_Cat_Traders.html). Members of the public can also call 1823 for enquiries.

     In collaboration with the Chinese Culture Promotion Office, the Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH) will launch the first large-scale exhibition of the General History of China Series, "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Ancient Civilisation of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties in Henan Province" exhibition. It will be open to the public from tomorrow (April 3), showcasing over 150 sets/items of cultural relics, of which 33 sets/items are grade one national treasures and about 40 sets/items are on display outside Henan Province for the first time. They include large and complete sets of bronze ware, jade ware, potteries, bone ware and oracle bones, from the collections of the Henan Museum as well as a dozen other museums and cultural institutions in the province. The exhibition allows members of the public to learn more about the ancient civilisation and history of China. Admission to the exhibition is free and the exhibition period will run until July 8.

     The opening ceremony of "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Ancient Civilisation of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties in Henan Province" exhibition was held today (April 2). Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Director-General of the Culture and Tourism Department of the Henan Province, Mr Huang Dongsheng; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mrs Ann Kung; the Director of the Henan Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage, Dr Ren Wei; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Lin Zhan; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, Mr Ma Fung-kwok; the Deputy Director of Henan Museum, Mr Zhang Deshui; the Chairman of Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Douglas So; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; and the Museum Director of the HKMH, Mr Ng Chi-wo.

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Cheuk said that promoting and preserving Chinese culture is of great significance and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government had all along attached great importance to it. The Working Group on Patriotic Education to be set up soon would mobilise the strength of the Government, business sector and community to further deepen patriotic education in a holistic manner. The exhibition that opened today marks the inception of the General History of China Series, one of the flagship programmes of the Chinese Culture Promotion Office. Through showcasing the invaluable cultural relics of the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, the exhibition revealed the political, social, rituals and etiquette, and cultural landscapes of the three dynasties, thereby enabling the general public to systematically learn about the long Chinese history and context of Chinese culture. He said the exhibition includes many grade-one national treasure. The bronze wares on display are the proven examples of the advanced development of patriarchal system, ritual and musical cultures, metallurgy, and Chinese characters, by the forebears of the Chinese nation several thousand years ago. The accomplishments have made us as Chinese today all profoundly amazed and proud.

     Highlight exhibits include multiple items from Henan Museum's collection, such as bronze jue (wine vessel) from the Xia dynasty; bronze square ding (food vessel) with animal mask and nipple patterns from the Shang dynasty and "Fu Hao" gong (wine vessel) with cylindrical foot; and a jade face cover dated to the Western Zhou. This face cover comprises 58 jade pieces, arranged based on the facial structure of a person, for sewing onto silk fabrics and placed over the face of the deceased during burial, as ancient people believed that jade could prevent the body from decaying. Exhibits also include a boar-head-shaped lid of a pottery vessel from the Xia dynasty from a collection of Zhengzhou Municipal Institute of Archaeology, and "Fu Yi" jiao (wine vessel) from the Western Zhou from a collection of Xinyang Museum.

     The exhibition is supplemented with multimedia programmes to introduce oracle bone divination, bronze casting techniques and major cities' remains of the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties. An interactive zone is set up outside the exhibition gallery to enable visitors to learn and understand the dazzling ancient civilisation of the three dynasties, as well as their connection with modern daily life through fascinating displays, interactive games and animation. To complement the exhibition, the Hong Kong Public Libraries has set up a reading zone outside the gallery, where they have specially selected numerous collections and e-books on various topics such as the cultural relics of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, archaeological discoveries, historical stories, myths and biographies. These resources enable members of the public to learn about China's longstanding history, origins and development, and encourage extended reading though online resources.

     During the exhibition period, a rich array of fringe programmes will be held at the HKMH, including free public performances and sharing by the Huaxia Ancient Music Orchestra of the Henan Museum scheduled for April 3 and 4 from 3pm to 4pm. Members of the public can learn about Chinese musical instruments and enhance their understanding of the ancient music culture of the Central Plains through the introduction by members of the orchestra.

     In addition, a forum and a lecture series will be organised to lead members of the public to explore the latest archaeological discoveries of the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties and the world of ancient Chinese bronzes in the Henan Province. A forum titled "Heavenly Mandate Mysterious Bird: Latest Archaeological Discoveries of Shang Dynasty in Henan Province " will take place on April 21 from 2.30pm to 5pm. It will feature presentations by Ms. Li Suting, Researcher of Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, Mr Huang Fucheng, Researcher of Zhengzhou Municipal Institute of Archaeology, and Mr Liu Yanjun, Director of Anyang Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology. In addition, the inaugural session of the lecture series, titled " Love and Revenge in the World of Ancient Chinese Bronzes: Fu Hao and Wangzi Wu" will be held on April 13 from 3pm to 5pm. The lecture will be delivered by Professor Lam Weng Cheong, Associate Professor in the Department of History and Department of Anthropology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Admission to the above lectures are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Both the forum and the lecture series will be delivered in hybrid mode. In addition, a series of public workshops will be organised during the exhibition period, including Viewing Side by Side: Bronze Square Zun 3D Paper Model-making, to be held on Sundays in April. A series of short videos which introduce historical figures and important cultural aspects from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties (including Mencius' mother, the Duke of Zhou, oracle bone inscriptions and bronzes) will be produced and uploaded to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) Edutainment Channel at www.lcsd.gov.hk/edutainment/en/academy/page_2421.html.

     This is the first exhibition in the General History of China Series, launched by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office in collaboration with the HKMH. Subsequently, the HKMH will stage exhibitions every year on historical relics of significant periods in chronological order. The series will conclude in 2029 with an exhibition celebrating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China. An exhibition on the cultural relics of the Qin and Han dynasties in Guangdong will be launched next year. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound culture of China. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.

     This exhibition is jointly presented by the LCSD and the Henan Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage, jointly organised by the HKMH and the Henan Museum, solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and in collaboration with the Chinese Culture Promotion Office.

     The Hong Kong Museum of History is located at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui. For more information on the exhibition and its fringe programmes, please visit hk.history.museum/en/web/mh/exhibition/The-Ancient-Civilisation-of-the-Xia-Shang-and-Zhou-Dynasties-in-Henan-Province-Exhibition.html, or call 2724 9042 for enquiries.

                      

     The Smart Logistics Datathon 2024 officially started today (April 2). Participating teams from universities from different parts of Asia and local secondary schools will engage in a 35-hour non-stop big data analysis tonight, and then propose innovative solutions relating to logistics operations, services or business models to compete for the champion, first runner-up and second runner-up awards in the university and secondary school leagues.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony at Cyberport, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, "Digital economy has been transforming the world, reforming traditional business models and creating new industries, and the logistics sector is no exception. From the bread-and-butter of logistics like supply chain management to emerging or fast-growing sectors like e-commerce, digitalisation is all the rage in the logistics industry. This is precisely why the Government made smart logistics development one of the key directions of growth for Hong Kong's modern logistics industry in our Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development promulgated in October last year."

     Mr Lam also exchanged views with participants at the welcome party, and said he hoped that such a unique experience would inspire their creativity and encourage them to join the logistics industry, which is an important engine of Hong Kong's economic growth. He also said he hoped that the Government, industries and academia would sustain their collaboration so that the logistics industry will continue to be an indispensable pillar of Hong Kong's economy.

     The Smart Logistics Datathon 2024 is supported by the Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme, which the Government launched under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund in January this year, and organised by the Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The event also is fully supported by the logistics industry, demonstrating the collaborative effort across sectors to promote digitalisation in the industry. For more information on the Smart Logistics Datathon 2024, please visit aiscl.cuhk.edu.hk/datathon/index.html. 

      

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, tonight (April 2) attended the closing ceremony of the Yunnan Exchange Tour under the Strive and Rise Programme in Kunming, Yunnan.
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Choi said that the Strive and Rise Programme, through the tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, aims to strengthen junior secondary school students' self-confidence and equip them with the ability to move up the social ladder. Through the programme, students can engage with social and professional elites, broaden their horizons, enhance their social skills, develop a positive outlook on life and set goals for their future.
 
     She said that the growth and development of the young generation are not only related to personal upward mobility and the well-being of their families, but are also crucial for the future of the country and the destiny of the nation. She hoped that students will equip themselves, sharpen their skills, and become lifelong learners with both talent and virtue. Moreover, they should cultivate a profound understanding of the development trend of the country and the rest of the world, and grasp Hong Kong's unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle. By doing so, they can make contributions to building a better Hong Kong and advancing national rejuvenation.
 
     She also expressed sincere thanks on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for the support by the leadership of Yunnan Province and related departments and organisations, the sponsorship by the Kowloon East Association and the arrangements by the Youth Committee of the Hong Kong & Kowloon Chiu Chow Public Association, which enabled the exchange tour to be conducted smoothly.
 
     The exchange tour represents the farthest trip taken in the second round of the Strive and Rise Programme. A total of 90 mentees participated in the tour, which covered Kunming, Dali and the Old Town of Lijiang. They visited renowned enterprises, took part in exchange activities with local youths and met provincial leaders and officials to learn about national affairs and economic developments from various perspectives.
 
     Dr Choi called on officials of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, the People's Government of Yunnan Province at noon today. She visited Yunnan Normal University this afternoon to learn about the multilingual education materials designed for Belt and Road countries jointly developed by the university and the Education University of Hong Kong. During the visit, she also met officials of the Department of Education of Yunnan Province.
 
     Dr Choi will conclude her visit tomorrow (April 3) and return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.
 

          

     Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at the opening ceremony of the Smart Logistics Datathon 2024 today (April 2):

Professor Cheung (Director of the Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Cheung Wai-man), distinguished guests, fellow participants, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good evening. It is my great honour and pleasure to join you all here in the opening ceremony of the Smart Logistics Datathon. 

     First and foremost, on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), I would like to welcome all the young talent from home and different parts of Asia to Hong Kong. I understand you visited our airport and the associated facilities this morning. As many of you may already know, Hong Kong International Airport is among the world's busiest airports and I am sure you all had the privilege to see for yourselves today. And Cyberport, the place we are at right now, is Hong Kong's digital flagship. So your visit today basically combines "smart" and "logistics". I hope you enjoyed the visits and workshops today, as well as the real deal of the competition, which will start later today.

     Digital economy has been transforming the world, reforming traditional business models and creating new industries, and the logistics sector is no exception. From the bread and butter of logistics like supply chain management to emerging or fast-growing sectors like e-commerce, digitalisation is all the rage in the logistics industry. This is precisely why the HKSAR Government made the smart logistics development one of the key directions of growth for Hong Kong's modern logistics industry in our Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development promulgated in October last year.

     This digitalisation drive could be powered not just by the Government's effort, but also by industries and academia through collaboration with multiple means. Such collaborative effort is exemplified by no better than the Smart Logistics Datathon today, which is the first promotional event supported by the Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme, which we launched under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund this January to support the logistics-related organisations and professional bodies for organising campaigns and activities that will promote the industry and hopefully instil in the young minds that we logistic people are a really cool bunch.

     To me, the Datathon is not just a digital challenge, but also a timely answer to the manpower development need that the logistics industry is facing. The industry's turn towards smartness is irreversible, and it takes a multidisciplinary workforce with specialised and professional knowledge for industry players to stay relevant in the game. In this way, the Datathon not only simulates the data crunch that makes your daily online order delivery seem so effortless, but also provides early exposure to those of you who are talented and interested in modern logistics-related entrepreneurship and innovation. We hope that this unique experience will inspire your creativity and more importantly your interest in joining the logistics industry, which I believe will continue to be one of the sturdiest engines of economic growth for years to come.
 
     My gratitude goes to the Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong for organising this remarkable event. I would also like to thank the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and Professor Wu Jing, the Director of the Institute Development Office of the Asian Institute of Supply Chains & Logistics, for providing data for the Datathon, as well as the logistics trade as a whole for your staunch support for the competition and indeed the Government's effort in promoting the image of and fostering the manpower development for the industry as we have committed in the Action Plan. The Datathon only lasts for three days, but our collaboration shall continue to make the logistics industry as an indispensable pillar of our economy.

     Last but not least, I wish you all a successful and fulfilling experience at the unsleepable 35-hour Smart Logistics Datathon. To our overseas guests, do enjoy your stay in Hong Kong. And to our local participants, I hope you will have a great adventure. Good luck to everyone! Thank you.