HKSAR Government Press Releaseshttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/today.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/rss/rss_logo_en.gifHKSAR Government Press Releaseshttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/today.htmHKSAR Government - Press Releasesen-UKCopyright, HKSAR Governmentirc@isd.gov.hkSat, 11 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMTSat, 11 Feb 2012 20:43:00 GMTISD PR RSS Generator 3.21Customs swoops on illicit cigarette smuggling syndicate in Sheung Shui (with photos)http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/12/P201202120009.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/12/P201202120009.htmSun, 12 Feb 2012 00:15:35 +0800
At about 1.30pm yesterday, while conducting an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Sheung Shui area, Customs officers of Anti-illicit-cigarette Investigation Division spotted a cross-boundary lorry in a public car park at Fung Nam Road, Sheung Shui.Two men were seen off-loading some wooden boxes from the lorry to a local rental lorry.Customs officers then took action and found 92 boxes of illicit cigarette. The two men were arrested immediately.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession, selling and buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence.The maximum penalty on conviction is imprisonment for two years and a fine of $1 million.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement against cigarette smuggling activities to protect government revenue.

Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Photo Photo
]]>First Open Day of LegCo Complex (with photos)http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110448.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110448.htmSat, 11 Feb 2012 20:54:30 +0800
To mark the opening of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex, LegCo held a two-day Open Day which started today (February 11) and will continue tomorrow (February 12) for members of the public. The first day of the event attracted a total of more than 3 000 visitors. The President of LegCo, Mr Jasper Tsang, hoped that through the Open Day, members of the public would get to know more about the facilities of the LegCo Complex and better understand the work and functions of LegCo.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Open Day, Mr Tsang said that the LegCo Complex was a purpose-built building to house the Hong Kong Legislature and belonged to the people of Hong Kong. The design theme of the LegCo Complex aimed to project the independent, transparent and dignified image of the Legislature, as symbolically represented by "heaven being round and earth being square" of the Chinese tradition.

He said that the LegCo Complex had introduced a series of environmentally-friendly and energy saving measures to help protect the environment and also adopted barrier-free access design to facilitate users of the Complex. In addition, a number of artworks were displayed in the Complex to enrich the cultural life of the Hong Kong city and the public.

Mr Tsang was joined by the Chairman of the House Committee, Ms Miriam Lau; and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee, Mr Fred Li; in officiating at the opening ceremony of the Open Day. Besides, Dr Margaret Ng, Mr Lau Kong-wah, Mr Tam Yiu-chung, Mr Lee Wing-tat, Dr Joseph Lee, Professor Patrick Lau, Ms Starry Lee, Mr Wong Sing-chi, Mr Ip Kwok-him, Mr Paul Tse and Mr Alan Leong, also attended the opening ceremony. Some Members participated in the guided tours to introduce to visitors the conference and educational facilities of the LegCo Complex and explain how legislators perform their duties in these venues. Some Members met with the public in the game booths. Other Members took photos with the public in the photo corner.

During the day, a total of 87 guided tours comprising around 3 100 visitors were conducted. Through joining the guided tour, members of the public visited the conference and educational facilities in the LegCo Complex, including the Chamber, Ante-Chamber, Dining hall, conference rooms, Viewing Gallery, Memory Lane and Education Gallery.

Furthermore, an exhibition corner and a number of game booths, namely "Color-it-yourself", "Build the LegCo together", "How many current LegCo Members do you know?", "Let's build our community", "Guess and match" and "Q & A corner", were set up to let visitors understand more about LegCo and its Members in a more enjoyable and leisurely way.

A photo corner with the backdrops of the LegCo Complex and the Chamber was set up for Members to meet the public and took photos with them. A souvenir booth was also set up in the LegCo Square to provide a selection of LegCo souvenirs.

Meanwhile, the LegCo Secretariat arranged today 16 sessions of performances in different time slots at the Main Lobby of the LegCo Complex to create a more joyful atmosphere. The performances included lion dance, marching band parade, harmonica ensemble, choir and handbell ensemble, Chinese instrumental ensemble and magic show.

The LegCo Complex Open Day will continue tomorrow. Members of the public are welcome to join.
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]]>Vigilance urged against meningococcal infectionhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110467.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110467.htmSat, 11 Feb 2012 20:35:25 +0800
The case affected a 55-year-old man with chronic medical condition who lives in North District.

The patient presented with left knee pain and swelling since February 7. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of North District Hospital (NDH) on the same day. He then complained of chest pain and was admitted to NDH on February 8.

Blood specimen taken from the patient grew Neisseria meningitidis. The man is in stable condition all along.

The patient has no recent travel history. His home contacts are asymptomatic.

The CHP's investigation is continuing.

A spokesman for the CHP said that meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is transmitted by direct contact, including droplets from the nose and throat of infected people. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days, commonly three to four days.

The clinical picture may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacterium invades the bloodstream (causing meningococcaemia) or the brain (causing meningitis).

Meningococcaemia is characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningitis is characterised by the sudden onset of intense headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, photophobia and stiff neck. Early cases can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to:

* Wash hands frequently, and observe good personal and environmental hygiene practices;
* Avoid crowded places;
* Avoid close contact with patients who have fever or severe headache; and
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, and hold the spit with tissue and discard it into a bin with a lid, and wash hands immediately.

Members of the public can visit the CHP's website, www.chp.gov.hk, for general information about the infection.
]]>Body of missing man locatedhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110458.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110458.htmSat, 11 Feb 2012 19:50:35 +0800
Leung Sau, aged 79, left his home in Sau Fu House of Sau Mau Ping Estate on January 24 and failed to return. His son made a report to the Police on January 27.

At about 1.30 pm today (February 11), a male body was reportedly located at a hill-side near Lin Tak Road, Kwun Tong.The deceased was later identified to be the missing man. Initial enquiries revealed that no suspicious elements were detected.

Add Police Report No. 157
]]>SHA visits Hangzhouhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110332.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110332.htmSat, 11 Feb 2012 15:45:10 +0800
Mr Tsang paid a two-day visit to Hangzhou in the capacity of the Honorary Head of the "Zhejiang-Hong Kong cultural and economic co-operation" delegation. During his visit, he met with the Governor of Zhejiang Province, Mr Xia Baolong; the President of Zhejiang Chinese Overseas Friendship Association, Mr Tang Lilu; and the Director-General of the Cultural Department of Zhejiang Province, Mr Yang Jianxin, to share views on the Zhejiang ¡V Hong Kong cultural co-operation and exchange.

At the meetings, Mr Tsang noted that the "Twelve Five-Year Plan" stipulated that cultural exchange and co-operation among the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau should be strengthened.The HKSAR government is determined to grasp this opportunity to strategically foster the arts and cultural development.He looks forward to deeper and broader co-operation between Zhejiang and Hong Kong in the future.

In addition, Mr Tsang attended "The Power of Culture - cultural economy and economic civilisation" forum on behalf of the HKSAR Government. The forum was jointly organised by associations including the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Association for the Promotion of Global Chinese Traders Fraternity Limited to explore the relationship between cultural and economic development, as well as encourage the development of cultural industries and the protection of cultural resources.

Mr Tsang also visited Xiling Society of Seal Arts this morning.Xiling Society has a long and renowned history in seal carving studies as well as seal-engraving.The current president is the prominent sinologist Professor Jao Tsung-I, who is living in Hong Kong.
]]>Motorcylist died in Sau Mau Ping traffic accidenthttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110346.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110346.htmSat, 11 Feb 2012 15:16:50 +0800
At about 10.00am, a motorcycle ridden by a 42-year-old man was travelling along Clear Water Bay Road towards Kowloon. Upon reaching 303 Clear Water Bay Road, it reportedly lost control and collided with a taxi driven by a 62-year-old man travelling on the opposite carriageway. Another motorcycle ridden by a 45-year-old man travelling behind the taxi also rammed into the taxi

The 42-year-old motorcyclist sustained serious head injuries and was sent to United Christian Hospital (UCH) where he was certified dead at 10.31am. The 45-year-old motorcyclist who sustained thigh injuries was also sent to UCH for medical treatment.

Investigations by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon East, are underway.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers at 2305 7500 or 2305 7570.


Add Police Report No. 106
Issued by PPRB
]]>Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Sha Tinhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202100471.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202100471.htmSat, 11 Feb 2012 10:45:25 +0800
The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

Police Report No. 108
]]>Red flag hoistedhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110185.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202110185.htmSat, 11 Feb 2012 08:51:40 +0800
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

Due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.
]]>Territory-wide flag day todayhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202100385.htmhttp://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/11/P201202100385.htmSat, 11 Feb 2012 06:02:05 +0800
Please broadcast the following special announcement at frequent intervals this morning (February 11):

The Social Welfare Department has announced that today is a territory-wide flag day. The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service Company Limited has been approved to sell flags throughout the territory from 7am to 12.30pm.

For enquiries, please call the department's hotline at 2343 2255.
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