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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (March 8) that Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool in Kwai Tsing District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

     The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Three-Places-One-Lock Scheme (Scheme) was officially launched today (March 8), with the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; the Director General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Man-chong; and the Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, Mr Feng Guoqing, officiating at the launch ceremony held at the DHL Central Asia Hub (CAH). The first batch of transshipment cargo was successfully delivered to the Macao clearance point from DHL CAH via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and the newly constructed Macao Cross-Border Cargo Transfer Terminal in the vicinity of the HZMB Macao Port today.

     Under the Scheme, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Customs conducted real-time monitoring on the batch of transshipment cargo using e-locks and GPS technology, enabling the transportation truck to arrive in Macao directly via the HZMB Hong Kong Port and avoiding duplicate inspections by Customs authorities.

     Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Yau said he looks forward to the further development of the Scheme to establish more clearance points across the country, and better facilitate the trade in conjunction with Hong Kong's closely knit transportation network covering air, land and sea.

     In her speech, Ms Ho expressed her gratitude for the dedicated support and co-ordination of the Customs administrations of Guangdong and Macao, as well as that of the business partners of the industries. She stressed that Hong Kong Customs will leverage its strengths to meet the needs of the country, fully dovetail with national strategies and actively integrate into the overall development of the country.

       The Scheme has connected Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The new "green lane", under the speedy development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), also enhances cargo clearance efficiency and unleashes unlimited business opportunities for the logistics industries of the three sides. At the same time, the Scheme facilitates trade and commerce development and consolidates Hong Kong's leading position as an international logistics hub.

     To accelerate the development of logistics and trade in the GBA, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Customs have been engaging in close communication and co-operation. In 2016, Guangdong and Hong Kong Customs implemented the Single E-lock Scheme, while the Mainland and Macao Customs launched the Guangdong-Macao Customs Single E-lock Scheme in 2020.

     About 100 guests, including representatives of the Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macao, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officials of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Legislative Council, representatives of the Airport Authority Hong Kong and members of associations and liaison groups in logistics and transport industries, as well as private stakeholders, attended the launch ceremony.

          

     The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Three-Places-One-Lock Scheme (Scheme) was officially launched today (March 8), with the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; the Director General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Man-chong; and the Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, Mr Feng Guoqing, officiating at the launch ceremony held at the DHL Central Asia Hub (CAH). The first batch of transshipment cargo was successfully delivered to the Macao clearance point from DHL CAH via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and the newly constructed Macao Cross-Border Cargo Transfer Terminal in the vicinity of the HZMB Macao Port today.

     Under the Scheme, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Customs conducted real-time monitoring on the batch of transshipment cargo using e-locks and GPS technology, enabling the transportation truck to arrive in Macao directly via the HZMB Hong Kong Port and avoiding duplicate inspections by Customs authorities.

     Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Yau said he looks forward to the further development of the Scheme to establish more clearance points across the country, and better facilitate the trade in conjunction with Hong Kong's closely knit transportation network covering air, land and sea.

     In her speech, Ms Ho expressed her gratitude for the dedicated support and co-ordination of the Customs administrations of Guangdong and Macao, as well as that of the business partners of the industries. She stressed that Hong Kong Customs will leverage its strengths to meet the needs of the country, fully dovetail with national strategies and actively integrate into the overall development of the country.

       The Scheme has connected Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The new "green lane", under the speedy development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), also enhances cargo clearance efficiency and unleashes unlimited business opportunities for the logistics industries of the three sides. At the same time, the Scheme facilitates trade and commerce development and consolidates Hong Kong's leading position as an international logistics hub.

     To accelerate the development of logistics and trade in the GBA, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Customs have been engaging in close communication and co-operation. In 2016, Guangdong and Hong Kong Customs implemented the Single E-lock Scheme, while the Mainland and Macao Customs launched the Guangdong-Macao Customs Single E-lock Scheme in 2020.

     About 100 guests, including representatives of the Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macao, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officials of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Legislative Council, representatives of the Airport Authority Hong Kong and members of associations and liaison groups in logistics and transport industries, as well as private stakeholders, attended the launch ceremony.

          

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     â€‹The spokesman for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) made the following announcement today (March 8) regarding a hospital facility safety incident:

     At around 11am today, hospital staff discovered an area of false ceiling of approximately 5 metres in length by 2m in width that fell at the back staircase on G/F of the hospital Main Block. The affected area was cordoned off immediately and a thorough inspection was conducted. The debris has been cleared. After a preliminary investigation, the incident did not involve structural safety of the building. The hospital is very concerned about the incident and will arrange inspections immediately to other similar false ceilings in the hospital to ascertain no abnormalities.

     No injuries were reported in the incident and patient service was not affected.

     The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) supported the Ming-Ai (London) Institute's Hong Kong pop music concert held at St Martin-in-the-Fields Hall, Trafalgar Square in London, the United Kingdom (UK), on March 7 (London time). The event commenced with a reception attended by around 60 guests, including the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Ms Patricia McAllister, and representatives from the local business, academic and cultural sectors. The event was also supported by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum by the provision of expert advice and technical support.

     The concert featured over 20 iconic Hong Kong pop songs across generations. Through the enchanting performance of traditional Chinese and Western musical instruments, including Guqin and violin, together with the slideshow of historical photos provided by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the vibrant music history of Hong Kong was presented to audience members in London. 

     Addressing the audience, the Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, said, "It is our pleasure to support the Ming-Ai (London) Institute to tell the world good stories of Hong Kong and to promote our pop culture to go global. The concert exemplifies the power of music to transcend language and cultural barriers, as well as to celebrate international friendship. Hong Kong's rich cultural landscape forms a solid foundation for developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange as supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan."

     Mr Law also outlined the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's 2024-25 Budget initiative of investing over $1 billion for developing more cultural and tourist experiences. He added, "The Government is committed to developing high-quality arts, cultural and creative industries. We will organise Art March 2024 comprising a series of high-profile arts and cultural events in the city such as Art Basel Hong Kong, ComplexCon Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Arts Festival, as well as the first Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo in October this year to provide a comprehensive platform for showcasing top-notch performing arts productions and enhancing exchanges to create business opportunities for these programmes and creative talents." 
     â€‹
     Founded in 1993, the Ming-Ai (London) Institute is a registered charity in the UK. By organising a variety of classes in Chinese arts and classical literature, alongside an array of cultural promotion activities, the Institute aims at facilitating deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture within the local community.