The Government announced today (November 16) the appointment of Ms Susie Ho Shuk-yee and Ms Theresa Ng Choi-yuk as lay members of the Council of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) for a term of two years from December 1, 2018 to November 30, 2020.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau said, "The accountancy sector plays a pivotal role in Hong Kong's success as an international financial centre. We look forward to the contribution of Ms Ho and Ms Ng to the work of the HKICPA in regulating the accountancy profession and promoting its development."

     Mr Lau also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing lay members, Ms Melissa Brown and Mr Tam Wing-pong, for their contribution and support rendered to the Council in the past six years.

     The HKICPA is the statutory licensing body for accountants in Hong Kong and currently has more than 42,000 members. It is responsible for the professional training, development and regulation of the accountancy profession. The HKICPA Council is the governing body of the Institute.

     Under the Professional Accountants Ordinance (Cap. 50), the HKICPA Council comprises a maximum of 23 persons, including four lay members appointed by the Chief Executive. The power of the Chief Executive to make appointments to the Council has been delegated to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. 

     The other two incumbent lay members are Mr Vincent Chui Yik-chiu and Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 16) released the latest grading of water quality of nine gazetted beaches. Other beaches have been closed to swimmers from November 1 for the winter season.  
        
     Eight beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and one as Fair (Grade 2).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:

 
Grade 2 beach is:

 
* Big Wave Bay Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Deep Water Bay Beach, Middle Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach remain closed until further notice due to the severe damage brought about by typhoon Mangkhut earlier. 
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend.  Latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's websites on Beach Water Quality (www.beachwq.gov.hk or www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, November 16, 2018 is 105.7 (same as yesterday's index).

     Approval has been given for the appointment of the Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang Ping-keung, as Deputy Commissioner of Police with effect from November 24, 2018, upon the retirement of Deputy Commissioner (Operations), Mr Lau Yip-shing.

     Brief biographical notes on Mr Tang Ping-keung are set out below:

     Mr Tang, 53 years old, joined the Hong Kong Police as an Inspector in 1987. He has wealth of experience in criminal investigation, international liaison as well as operational command. Between 2006 and 2008, he was seconded to INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France as a Specialised Officer. Subsequently, he was promoted in the organisation as the Head of Criminal Organisation and Violent Crime Unit.

     He was promoted to Senior Superintendent in 2007 and Chief Superintendent in 2012.  In 2015, he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police and discharged duties as the Regional Commander, Hong Kong Island, and Assistant Commissioner, Personnel. In 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner and appointed as Director of Operations.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Country and Marine Parks Board:
 
     The Country and Marine Parks Board will meet next Friday (November 23) and members of the public are welcome to attend as observers. Major items for discussion include:
 
* Engagement of the Public in the Maintenance of Hiking Trails in Country Parks; and
* Summary reports of the Country Parks Committee and Marine Parks Committee.
 
     The meeting will be held in Room 701, 7/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, at 2.30pm.
 
     Members of the public interested in observing the meeting should contact the board secretary at 2150 6697 for seat reservation. Attendance will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.