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President Hu Jintao will visit Hong Kong from June 29 to July 1 to attend activities to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR and the inauguration ceremony of the Fourth Term Government of the HKSAR.
¡§Police are duty-bound to ensure his personal safety during the visit and the celebration activities be held in a safe and orderly manner,¡¨ a Police spokesman said.
¡§Appropriate protective coverage including personal and traffic escort will be provided to the President throughout his stay in Hong Kong. Temporary traffic and pedestrian access diversion may occur, including temporary closure of a few footbridges during the passage of the motorcade. These arrangements may cause inconvenience to members of the public and other road users.
¡§We appeal to the public for their understanding and patience. Police officers will give appropriate direction at scene. Police Community Relations Officers of affected districts will also advice the local and neighbourhood groups on the impact of the arrangements,¡¨ he said.
In addition, there will be press areas set up inside and outside the venues where the celebration activities take place to facilitate media reporting. Also public activity area and forward petition area will be designated outside the venues.
¡§Police respect the rights of peaceful public procession, meeting and expression of views. The Force's policy is to facilitate all peaceful public events while taking responsibility to ensure public safety and public order with effective measures. We will continue to discharge our duties in a fair and impartial manner and facilitate the orderly and safe conduct of public events,¡¨ the spokesman stressed.
¡§We appeal to the public who will participate in the public events to observe the arrangements agreed by the organiser and Police, and to follow the instructions of the organiser¡¦s marshals and police officers at scene.¡¨
Since a number of celebration activities will be held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Bauhinia Square from June 29 to July 1, motorists are also urged to avoid driving to the northern part of Wan Chai. If they need to go to that area, they are advised to plan early and follow the instructions of the police officers at scene.
¡§While striving to ensure a safe visit of the President, Police will keep inconvenience to the public to a minimum,¡¨ the spokesman said.
Police Report No. 214
Ends/Thursday, June 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:40
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