Hong Kong Customs today (September 20) distributed pamphlets in Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok and Wan Chai to remind members of the public, especially parents, about safety of Mid-Autumn Festival toys and to pay attention to the warnings and usage instructions on them.

     The Deputy Head (Toys and Children's Products Safety) of the Consumer Protection Bureau of Customs, Mr Eric Leung, today said when meeting the press in Sham Shui Po that Customs test-bought 10 models of Mid-Autumn Festival toys in August for safety testing by the Government Laboratory. Results showed that all samples complied with the statutory requirements.

     Customs conducted spot check operations in various districts in September and found four models of lanterns, four models of light-emitting toys and one type of glow stick without any identification markings (the full name and the address of the manufacturer, the importer or the supplier) and/or applicable bilingual warnings or cautions (with respect to the safekeeping, use, consumption or disposal) attached. The toys were suspected of having contravened the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO) and its subsidiary legislation.

     Nine retailers were ordered to store the 104 non-compliant lanterns, 498 non-compliant light-emitting toys and 79 stacks of non-compliant glow sticks in specified places.

     Customs will continue the spot check operations up to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

     Mr Leung also reminded parents to take heed of the warning labels and operation manuals of toys as well as to provide supervision to ensure children's safety in the course of using the toys.

     Under the TCPSO, it is an offence to import, manufacture or supply toys unless the toys comply with prescribed safety standards. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Transport Department (TD) today (September 20) reminded the public that to facilitate tram track renewal work at Belcher's Street, parts of the middle lane of Belcher's Street near Kwan Yick Street will be temporarily closed from about 10am next Saturday (September 29) to 6am on October 2 (Tuesday).
 
     During the above works period, the Kennedy Town Tram Terminus at Catchick Street outside the Merton Tower 2 will be suspended from about 10am on September 29 to 1am on October 2. Affected passengers should proceed to the westbound tram stop at Catchick Street near Davis Street (No. 104W) for taking the eastbound tram services.
 
     Appropriate traffic signs and road markings will be erected on-site to guide motorists.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the above road sections will be relatively busy. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion. Members of the public are advised to watch out for the latest traffic news or the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBoC), Mr Yi Gang, and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Norman Chan, signed a "Memorandum of Co-operation on Using Central Moneymarkets Unit for Issuance of PBoC Bills" today (September 20), for the tendering and issuance of PBoC bills through CMU BID, the HKMA's Central Moneymarkets Unit's (CMU) bond tendering platform. The details of the issuance will be separately announced. The issuance of PBoC bills in Hong Kong aims to enrich the spectrum of renminbi financial products of high credit rating in Hong Kong, improve the yield curve of renminbi bonds in Hong Kong, and support the development of offshore renminbi business in Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Chan said, "All along there has been strong demand for high quality and liquid renminbi assets in the offshore market. Following the annual issuance of sovereign bonds by the Ministry of Finance, PBoC bills may further satisfy demand in this aspect, especially the demand for debt instruments of a shorter tenor. Furthermore, this will improve the yield curve in the offshore market, provide a better foundation for financial institutions to develop renminbi products, and offer more renminbi liquidity management tools for financial institutions. The issuance of PBoC bills in Hong Kong will also reinforce Hong Kong's position as the global hub for offshore renminbi business. " 
 
     The CMU is operated by the HKMA. It serves as a platform for tendering, clearing and settlement of bonds. Since 2010, the Ministry of Finance has used the CMU bond tendering platform to tender for offshore renminbi sovereign bonds every year. 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 20) investigating two suspected food poisoning cases affecting three persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.

     The first case involved two females, aged 29 and 37, who developed vomiting and nausea about four to five hours after having lunch at a restaurant in Wan Chai on September 18.
 
     Another case involved a 31-year-old female, who developed similar symptoms about five hours after having lunch at the same restaurant on the same day.

     All affected persons have sought medical advice. Among them, one required hospitalisation and has been discharged. All patients are in a stable condition.

     "Initial investigation revealed that all those affected had consumed the same mushroom dish. We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and eating utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

     The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with six Hong Kong container terminal operators (CTOs) today (September 20) at the Customs Headquarters Building. Laying down various co-operative arrangements for sea cargo customs clearance, including the liaison mechanism, cargo detention notification and case reporting, the MoUs underpin a closer collaboration between the department and the CTOs.

     Speaking at the ceremony, the Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Boundary and Ports), Ms Louise Ho, noted that the department values its co-operation with the CTOs, adding that both parties have all along been working closely and pragmatically to handle issues relating to sea cargo customs clearance.

     "Upholding the principles of gate-guarding and trade facilitation, the MoUs manifest the sincere partnership between the two sides, enhance cargo clearance efficiency and ensure effective law enforcement," Ms Ho said.

     "By setting out clearly the signatories' roles and obligations, partnership will become smooth and a sound foundation for exploring of other co-operative arrangements in the future is also laid."

     Following are the six CTOs which signed MoUs with the C&ED today:
 

1. Asia Container Terminals Limited
2. COSCO-HIT Terminals (Hong Kong) Limited
3. CSX World Terminals Hong Kong Limited
4. Hongkong International Terminals Limited
5. Modern Terminals Limited
6. River Trade Terminal Company Limited

     On the same occasion, the C&ED also held an annual award presentation ceremony for the Sea Cargo Pre-shipment Declaration Scheme. A total of 50 sea cargo carriers/companies were awarded for their active participation in the Scheme.

     The department has implemented various schemes, including the EMAN Statement One Submission Scheme and the Advance Cargo Information – River Trade Vessel Scheme, to promote voluntary submission of sea cargo data since 2009. Under these schemes, carriers and cargo agents can submit advance cargo information to the C&ED prior to vessel arrival. Apart from expediting the cargo clearance process, these schemes also pave the way for the mandatory submission of advance cargo information under the Trade Single Window which will be implemented in the future.