Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Happy Valley
Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley on December 26 (Thursday). The arrangements will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.
A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race
The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from 50 minutes before the start of the first race for day racing, or from 6pm onwards for night racing:
1. Road closure
Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.
2. Traffic diversions
- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
- Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
- Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.
B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting
The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:
1. Road closure
- The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;
- Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
- Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.
In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.
2. Traffic diversions
- Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
- Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.
C. Learner drivers prohibition
Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:
- Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
- Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
- Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
- Canal Road East; and
- The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.
D. Suspension of parking spaces
Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night racing respectively.
All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.
Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.
Second National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Shanghai
The second National Security Education Study Tour organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government concluded and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon (December 24). A total of 131 principals, teachers, and students from 19 primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong departed for Beijing on December 18. The primary school group completed their tour and returned to Hong Kong on December 22, while the secondary school group proceeded to Shanghai on the same day and returned today. Members of the study tour were primarily from the winning teams with outstanding performance and achievements, as well as their coaching principals and teachers of schools that excelled in the Territory-wide Inter-school National Security Knowledge Challenge, jointly organised by the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau, the Education Bureau, and the Hong Kong Shine Tak Foundation. Among the participants were non-Chinese speaking students joining both the challenge and study tour for the first time. The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, the Secretary General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR, Mr Au Chi-kwong; and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Shine Tak Foundation, Mrs Tung Ng Ling-ling, accompanied the study tour to Beijing, while the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai joined the study tour on December 21 in Beijing and travelled with them to Shanghai. On December 22, members of the study tour were warmly received by Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Central People's Government, Mr Nong Rong.
In the past few days, the study tour visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China and participated in interactive exchanges with teachers and students from the Branch of the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China and Zhongguancun No. 3 Primary School. They also watched the solemn flag-raising ceremony on the viewing stage of Tiananmen Square. Other sites visited included the National Museum of China, the National Archives of Publications and Culture, the China Academy of Space Technology, the China Science and Technology Museum, the China National Arts and Crafts Museum, the Shanghai National Security Education Center, and the Sihang Warehouse Memorial of War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
During the tour, students demonstrated great enthusiasm and curiosity about the country's system, history, culture, economy, science and technology, and social development. They eagerly embraced this opportunity to move beyond textbooks for on-site visits, particularly being deeply moved when watching the national flag rise on the viewing stage at Tiananmen Square. The visit to the China Academy of Space Technology enhanced their understanding and aspirations regarding the country's aerospace technology development. During their interactions at key primary and secondary schools in Beijing, they were also impressed by the diverse learning environment and the enthusiasm of local students.
Yang, a student from Ng Clan's Association Tai Pak Memorial School, remarked that the Museum of the Communist Party of China left the deepest impression on him, especially the history of the Long March. He felt both pained and moved by the pioneers' contributions and efforts in building New China. Lam, a student from Munsang College (Hong Kong Island), said that as Chinese people, everyone should unite, contribute together, and actively participate in the country's future development. She believes that their generation, blessed by the protection and guidance of their predecessors, also bears the responsibility of safeguarding national security. Kabra, a non-Chinese speaking student from Queen's College, said the tour broadened his understanding of China's history, culture, and national security. He emphasised that he returned to Hong Kong not only with knowledge but also a commitment to applying these insights to help build a more secure world.
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, encouraged students at the opening ceremony to understand the history and culture of the country through their footsteps, comprehend China's modernisation through their eyes, listen to the thoughts and voices of the Chinese people with their ears, and to grasp the essence of China's spirit with their hearts. He urged them to deeply appreciate the historical depth, cultural richness, and warmth of lives in the Motherland, develop positive viewpoints on state, history and nation, thus proactively safeguarding national security and better contributing to Hong Kong and the Motherland. Secretary General, Mr Au Chi-kwong, expressed his encouragement towards the students' enthusiasm for exploring national security knowledge, urging them to learn more about the country's history, culture, and achievements in various fields through on-site visits and to deepen their understanding of the principle of "one country, two systems", becoming proactive contributors to Hong Kong's future development. At the closing ceremony, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, encouraged students to share their experiences and insights from the study tour with their teachers and classmates. He emphasised the importance of combining reading extensively with traveling widely to deepen their understanding of the country's history, culture, and current realities. He encouraged them to maintain their enthusiasm for learning and to aspire to become pillars of society in the future.
