Hong kong suspends import of poultry from areas affected by avian influenza outbreaks to protect public health amid growing concerns
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (July 2) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza in Canberra of the Australian Capital Territory in Australia, and outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Sac County of the State of Iowa and Pipestone County of the State of Minnesota in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 130 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 4.06 million poultry eggs from Australia, and about 16 480 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 7.73 million poultry eggs from the US in the first three months of this year.
"The CFS has contacted the Australian and American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
Source: AI-generated images
Love our home, treasure our country gala celebrates hong kong's 27th anniversary with remarkable achievements in national education activities, promoting chinese culture and national pride.
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 4) held the "Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" Celebration of 27th Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland and Joint School National Education Activities Gala to showcase the remarkable achievements of the "Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" activities this school year.
The Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, together with Deputy Secretary for Education Mr Edward To, officiated at the event. Over 1 000 representatives from the EDB, school sponsoring bodies, school councils, school head associations, the Committee on Home-School Co-operation and schools attended.
Speaking at the Gala, Mr Cheuk said, "Our country is now advancing at high speed towards the goal of a nation with prosperity and vibrancy, and we are at the most glorious moment in China's history! We are fortunate to be able to catch up, and that we should seize the opportunities that lie ahead, find our own stage, fulfil our dreams, and contribute to the country, Hong Kong and the human world." He was pleased to see that the EDB, Po Leung Kuk, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and a number of school councils united strengths and joined hands to organise the "Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country 2.0" activities to further enhance the sense of national pride and affection for the country and Hong Kong among young people.
The "Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" joint school national education activities this school year were of a larger scale and were more diversified than last year, with total attendance reaching 25 000. Apart from teachers and students, some activities invited parents, experts from different sectors and members of the public to enhance different stakeholders' understanding of national education. Through Chinese cultural heritage and immersionprogrammes under themes such as China's outstanding historical figures, food culture, tea art, poetry and literature, the activities enriched students' understanding of Chinese culture and the development of the country, further promoting national education.
The Gala today was the grand finale of the "Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country 2.0" series, which also celebrated the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. More than 300 students participated in the performance, including the flag raising ceremony and Chinese-style foot drill by joint school flag guards, as well as music, dance, martial arts, poem recitations and drama performances to showcase their fruitful learning achievements.
The EDB will continue to promote "Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" joint school national education activities in the 2024/25 school year and organise more diversified learning activities to promote national education and nurture young people into quality citizens with a sense of social responsibility and national identity, as well as an affection for Hong Kong.
"Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" Joint School Gala showcases activities' remarkable achievements Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" Joint School Gala showcases activities' remarkable achievements Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" Joint School Gala showcases activities' remarkable achievements Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" Joint School Gala showcases activities' remarkable achievements Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
