Hong Kong and Macao Youth Delegation Engages with PLA in Beijing Flag-Raising Exchange

Fruitful exchange in Beijing for "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation (with photos/video)

The "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation today (September 19) exchanged and interacted with the People's Liberation Army Ceremonial Escort Battalion in Beijing. Members of the delegation gained a deeper understanding of its mission and responsibility to uphold national dignity, and enhanced their respect for the national flag and their love for the country.

More than 1 300 primary and secondary school teachers and students as well as tertiary students from Hong Kong and Macao, together with representatives of the Association of Hong Kong Flag-guards and the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, took part in the activity. Themed "Salute to the National Flag", the Beijing visit is a key youth exchange programme that reflects the high importance the country attaches to the development of Hong Kong and Macao youth and to patriotic education.

The delegation arrived in Beijing by high-speed rail in the evening yesterday (September 18). In the afternoon today, the delegation conducted exchanges and interactions with the People's Liberation Army Ceremonial Escort Battalion. Members of the delegation seized the rare opportunity to observe at close range their precise foot drills and solemn bearing, learn about professional ceremonial standards and flag-guarding etiquette, and gain a profound appreciation of its strict discipline.

This morning, members of the delegation conducted group study tours in Beijing. Visit and study had been conducted at multiple representative landmarks and venues in Beijing, including the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, Beijing Library, China National Arts and Crafts Museum, China Science and Technology Museum, Jiaozhuanghu Memorial Museum of Tunnel Warfare Site, Yuanmingyuan, the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), Shougang Park, World of Robots and the Xiaomi Auto Factory, among others. The tours covered themes such as history and culture, scientific and technological innovation, and the co-ordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, which enabled members of the delegation to gain an understanding of the capital's cultural heritage and contemporary development from different perspectives.

Fruitful exchange in Beijing for "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fruitful exchange in Beijing for "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fruitful exchange in Beijing for "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fruitful exchange in Beijing for "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fruitful exchange in Beijing for "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fruitful exchange in Beijing for "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fruitful exchange in Beijing for "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species

Hong Kong Customs today (September 19) seized ten live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $20,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.

Through risk assessment, Customs officers intercepted a parcel declared as containing women's knitted short-sleeve tops from the United States to Hong Kong today. Upon inspection, a batch of live turtles of suspected endangered species was found inside a carton box.

The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases