Torch Relay Celebrates Diversity Ahead of 15th National Games in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao

15th National Games torch relay successfully held

The 15th National Games (NG) will be opened on November 9. To welcome this landmark sporting event, jointly hosted for the first time by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, the torch relay in Hong Kong competition region was held today (November 2). Fifty torchbearers representing various sectors—including sports, sponsors, volunteers, the youth, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities—participated, fully showcasing Hong Kong's open, diverse, and inclusive character.

The torch relay launching ceremony was held at 9am in Shenzhen, followed by starting ceremonies in Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhou at 9.30am, where torch relay started simultaneously. The total route length in Hong Kong is approximately 10 kilometers, divided into five segments. Starting from the Central Government Offices in Tamar, with Hong Kong table tennis athlete Wong Chun-ting serving as the first torchbearer, the Hong Kong route passed through the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade, the Monument in Commemoration of Return of Hong Kong to China and Golden Bauhinia Square. The second section saw the torchbearers crossed the Victoria Harbour by Star Ferry, then proceed to the third section in Tsim Sha Tsui. They started from Star Ferry Bus Terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui in Salisbury Road to Mody Lane, passing by the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Hong Kong Museum of Art. Torchbearers of the fourth section took an open-top bus to the bus terminal at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP). After entering KTSP, the torchbearers of the fifth section passed by the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground and the Kai Tak Sports Avenue before arriving at the Kai Tak Sports Park Central Square. The last torchbearer, Hong Kong fencing athlete Kaylin Hsieh, lighted the cauldron and the closing ceremony took place.

Addressing at the launching ceremony of torch relay in Hong Kong, the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said torch relay events which were held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao on the same day this time are not only a great innovation but also demonstrate the unique advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The GBA will work together for integrated development and greater strength to establish a global top-notch bay area and world-class city cluster.

Representatives of the four cities will return the flame to Guangzhou after the torch relay. A flame-gathering ceremony will be held in the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, bridging the torch relay at the venue and the lighting of the main torch at the 15th NG opening ceremony.

The biggest highlight of the 15th NG torch relay is the collaborative progress of the three places and the relay among the four cities. The unique feature of the joint hosting of the 15th NG by the three places has been fully demonstrated, from the lighting of the "source flame" in Nansha, Guangzhou by the representatives of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau earlier October to the simultaneous torch relay events in four locations today.

15th National Games torch relay successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th National Games torch relay successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th National Games torch relay successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th National Games torch relay successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Tsuen Wan today

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Tsuen Wan this afternoon (January 14), in which several oxy-acetylene cylinders fell from a container during a lifting operation and hit workers underneath, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to two workers. The LD is saddened by the death and injury of the workers in the accident, and expresses its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and the injured workers.

The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the lifting operation at the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."

To prevent loads being lifted from falling and hitting workers, the LD reminds employers to ensure that (i) the loads have been safely and securely connected to lifting gear before lifting operations; (ii) the gate of the container holding the loads is properly locked or fastened; and (iii) lifting zone is demarcated and barricaded, with no one entering the zone during lifting operations.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

Source: AI-found images