The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 is 105.2 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Government announced today (July 23) the appointment of two new young members to the Museum Advisory Committee (MAC) and its standing sub-committees through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth from today until October 19, 2020, i.e. the end date of the current two-year term of existing members. In addition, two of the standing sub-committees under the MAC, namely the Art Sub-committee and the Science Sub-committee, appointed a total of three co-opted members from today until October 19, 2020.

     Chaired by Mr Stanley Wong Yuen-fai, the MAC and its three standing sub-committees advise the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on strategies for development, promotion and management of the public museums. 

     The membership list and terms of reference of the MAC are as follows:

Chairperson
————-
Mr Stanley Wong Yuen-fai
 
Members
———-
Mr Aaron Raj Chandrasakaran* (appointed through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth)
Mr Victor Cheng Pat-leung
Ms Liza Cheung Lai-sang
Professor Ching Pak-chung
Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei
Mrs Christine Ip Yeung See-ming
Ms Elaine Kwok
Mr Gyver Lau Kwok-leung
Professor Leung Wing-mo 
Mr Vincent Lo Wing-sang
Ms Anthea Lo Wing-sze
Ms Doris Luey Sisi
Professor Ricardo Mak King-sang
Professor Eva Man Kit-wah
Mr Rex Mok Chung-fai
Dr Ng Chun-hung 
Professor Ng Tai-kai
Mr David Pong Chun-yee
Ms Clara Shek Ka-lai
Mr Douglas So Cheung-tak
Ms Helen So Hiu-ming
Mr Eliott Hancock Suen* (appointed through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth)
Professor Joseph Ting Sun-pao
Ms Ada Wong Ying-kay
 
* Newly appointed Members
  
Terms of Reference
         
     To advise the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services on a wide range of subject matters concerning the public museums and related offices managed by the LCSD:
 

• positioning, image-building and branding;
• business development strategies including but not limited to acquisition and use of museum collections, organisation of exhibitions and education programmes, identification of research projects, sponsorship and partnership initiatives;
• marketing and publicity strategies on the promotion of the museums both locally, on the Mainland and overseas;
• development of community engagement strategies to reach out to a wider community and stakeholders (e.g. local artists, collectors, local and overseas museums, cultural organisations, and educational institutions);
• measures to strengthen the operational efficiency and accountability of public museums; and
• any other matters as proposed by the LCSD.

 
     The membership lists and terms of reference of the three standing sub-committees are attached in Annexes 1 to 3.

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

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning July 29:
 

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending the launch ceremony of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Membership Hospitality Academy today (July 23):
 
Reporter: Secretary, given the unsettling images out of Yuen Long, and that so many people are troubled by it, does the Education Bureau have any support and guidelines issued especially for schools in those areas, where we saw schools and shops in Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long close early yesterday? And can you also give – aside from the safety, on their emotional support, and also we saw teachers being arrested or they are criticised for posting messages or for some of their behaviours. Will the Education Bureau carry out any disciplinary action on those teachers?
 
Secretary for Education: I think the situation in Hong Kong – well, we all know what is happening now in Hong Kong. I take this opportunity to appeal to all of us citizens of Hong Kong that we should abide by the law. We are confident that the Police are able to maintain law and order in Hong Kong. At present, basically all schools are on their summer holidays. There are a number of summer activities organised by the schools for the students. I think these are quite flexible in nature. So I think the schools could decide how and where to organise these activities for their students, and we, the EDB (Education Bureau) would be happy to offer advice and assistance to the schools if needed. Regarding your question on teachers' performance, I think, we, as a society, have very high expectations of our teachers and are hoping that our teachers will also abide by their professional conduct and professional requirements when they are teaching at schools. On individual cases, we have to look at the facts and we have to look at the final investigations by, for example, the law enforcement agents, and see whether any actions need to be taken by the schools or the EDB according to the established procedures.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 23) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving services at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District are suspended until further notice.

     First aid services will be maintained at the beach.