The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 is 104.5 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Hong Kong Public Libraries computer system maintenance work will be carried out from 6pm on September 24 to 7am on September 25, a Leisure and Cultural Services Department spokesman announced today (September 18), adding that the following services will be suspended during the aforesaid period:
 

• library mobile app services and Internet and telephone renewal services;
• other online library services, including the library catalogue, borrowers' record enquiries, reservation of library materials and Internet and Digital Service Workstations, the Multimedia Information System and electronic resources (e-Books and e-Databases); and
• borrowing of library materials, payment of library fees and pickup of reserved library materials services of the self-service library station located at the Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area (readers can still return library materials during the aforesaid period, while the loan record will be updated after the completion of system maintenance work).

     For enquiries, please call 2921 0208.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) supported the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festivals in Antwerp, Belgium on September 15, and in Dublin, Ireland on September 15 and 16 .

     In Belgiums port city of Antwerp, the 8th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival organised by the Rotary International, Antwerp West, is one of the city's biggest annual events, attracting 32 teams of competitors and around 6 000 enthusiastic paddlers and visitors. HKETO, Brussels, the title sponsor of the Festival, entered two boats, Hong Kong Dragon and Hong Kong International Paddlers, in the races. The crew of Hong Kong Dragon comprised staff of HKETO, Brussels and their family members and friends, while the Hong Kong International Paddlers had a crew of expats and locals. Many community groups and companies in Belgium also took part in the Festival as a team-building event. The University of Gent and the University of Antwerp in Belgium also fielded teams with the support of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society. The starting shot was given by Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, while Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, presented the trophy to the fastest team.

     In Dublin, HKETO, Brussels was the title sponsor of the Hong Kong Dublin Dragon Boat Regatta for the third time. Organised by the Irish Dragon Boat Association in conjunction with Plurabelle Paddlers, and supported by Waterways Ireland and Dublin City Council, the Regatta took place at the heart of the capital city,the Grand Canal Dock in Dublin. A total of some 1 000 participants in 52 teams from different regions joined the most entertaining races carried out on the two days. Their joy and laughter were shared by about 2 500 visitors each day. Assistant Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Mr Paul Leung, officiated at the event and presented medals to the winning teams.

     In both Antwerp and Dublin, booklets and information about Hong Kong, including its tourist attractions and its first Talent List, were distributed at the Hong Kong booth. Visitors to the booth could receive Hong Kong brand prizes after successfully completing a quiz about Hong Kong.

              

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 18) that as Cheung Chau Sports Ground in Islands District is now being used as a temporary emergency helicopter landing site, the venue has been temporarily closed until further notice.

     â€‹The responsible persons of two recycling sites in Ping Che in North District and Shek Wu Wai in Yuen Long, who illegally stored hazardous electronic waste (e-waste), were convicted and fined a total of $50,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 18) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that during operations in January and March, EPD officers raided two recycling sites that illegally stored printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are classified as chemical waste. The recycling sites were located in Ping Che in North District and Shek Wu Wai in Yuen Long and used to collect, store, dismantle, import and export hazardous e-waste. The recycling sites concerned illegally stored PCBs at the open spaces with some PCBs chaotically scattered on the ground. A total of 2.5 tonnes of PCBs were found during the two operations with a total market value of $250,000. Upon investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the recycling sites' responsible persons in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
      
     The spokesman stressed that dismantled or destroyed PCBs, LCD monitors and cathode ray tubes are hazardous e-waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances. They are classified as chemical waste. Chemical waste is hazardous by nature and, if not properly controlled, will pollute the environment and pose a risk to the health of relevant trade practitioners and the general public. The EPD has all along been committed to combating the illegal collection, storage, handling and import and export activities of hazardous e-waste. Anyone who violates the above laws shall be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for the first conviction. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     For more information about the control of chemical waste, please visit the EPD's website: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.