Regarding a false message circulating on the Internet that "the Government has announced that the Clerical Assistant grade will be fully integrated into the Assistant Clerical Officer grade by 2027", a spokesman for the Civil Service Bureau clarified today (March 5) that no such announcement had been made, and a report had been made to the Police.

     The civil service will continue to stay committed to its posts and make more flexible use of resources to serve the public proactively.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 is 106.8 (down 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     In response to the Japanese Government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on March 4 to noon today (March 5), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 270 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24, 2023, to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 120 265 samples of food imported from Japan (including 78 950 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 27 776 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (March 5) attended the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).
          
     The third session of the 14th NPC commenced in Beijing this morning, during which Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report. Mr Lee attended the opening meeting in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
         
     In the government work report, Premier Li reviewed the work for 2024. He also outlined the overall requirements for economic and social development and major tasks of the government for 2025. He said that we should continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in the HKSAR, while maintaining the constitutional order in the HKSAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law and implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". Premier Li expressed support for Hong Kong in strengthening economy development and improving people's livelihood, deepening international exchanges and co-operation, with a view to better integrating into the overall national development and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. He also highlighted the need to enhance the innovation capabilities and influence of economically advantaged areas, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
      
     Mr Lee said he was most encouraged, adding that this year marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the beginning of the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. It is also a crucial year for further deepening comprehensive reforms, which are of significant importance for the implementation of "one country, two systems". The HKSAR Government will continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. It will unite all sectors of society to further deepen comprehensive reforms, actively understand, respond to and embrace changes, and better leverage the institutional strengths of "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's unique and internationalised advantages to open up new development opportunities. The HKSAR Government will also spare no effort in pursuing economic development, improving people's livelihood and exploring new growth areas.
      
     The HKSAR Government will adopt an innovative mindset, coupled with market forces, to take forward the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, accelerating the development of an international innovation and technology centre. Furthermore, it aims to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, building Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent. At the same time, it will further promote the high-quality development of the GBA, actively integrating into national development. It will also enhance Hong Kong's international competitiveness, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, and strengthen Hong Kong's role as a bridge linking the Mainland and global markets, with a view to achieving better development in Hong Kong and making further contributions to building the great country and advancing national rejuvenation.
      
     Mr Lee extended his best wishes for the success of the third session of the 14th NPC and the third session of the 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

    

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (March 5) attended the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).
          
     The third session of the 14th NPC commenced in Beijing this morning, during which Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report. Mr Lee attended the opening meeting in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
         
     In the government work report, Premier Li reviewed the work for 2024. He also outlined the overall requirements for economic and social development and major tasks of the government for 2025. He said that we should continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in the HKSAR, while maintaining the constitutional order in the HKSAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law and implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". Premier Li expressed support for Hong Kong in strengthening economy development and improving people's livelihood, deepening international exchanges and co-operation, with a view to better integrating into the overall national development and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. He also highlighted the need to enhance the innovation capabilities and influence of economically advantaged areas, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
      
     Mr Lee said he was most encouraged, adding that this year marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the beginning of the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. It is also a crucial year for further deepening comprehensive reforms, which are of significant importance for the implementation of "one country, two systems". The HKSAR Government will continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. It will unite all sectors of society to further deepen comprehensive reforms, actively understand, respond to and embrace changes, and better leverage the institutional strengths of "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's unique and internationalised advantages to open up new development opportunities. The HKSAR Government will also spare no effort in pursuing economic development, improving people's livelihood and exploring new growth areas.
      
     The HKSAR Government will adopt an innovative mindset, coupled with market forces, to take forward the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, accelerating the development of an international innovation and technology centre. Furthermore, it aims to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, building Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent. At the same time, it will further promote the high-quality development of the GBA, actively integrating into national development. It will also enhance Hong Kong's international competitiveness, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, and strengthen Hong Kong's role as a bridge linking the Mainland and global markets, with a view to achieving better development in Hong Kong and making further contributions to building the great country and advancing national rejuvenation.
      
     Mr Lee extended his best wishes for the success of the third session of the 14th NPC and the third session of the 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.