A landfill user was convicted at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 16) for contravening the Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facility) Regulation and fined $6,000. The user had given incorrect information to staff of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) while he was planning to dispose of waste at the West New Territories (WENT) Landfill.

     A spokesman for the EPD said that the department had received reports that some users delivered construction waste to landfills in the guise of municipal solid waste to evade construction waste disposal charges. The EPD then stepped up operations against the malpractice at landfills. In a blitz operation conducted at the WENT Landfill in January 2019, EPD staff encountered a landfill user who claimed that he was not delivering construction waste, but they subsequently found construction waste in what he had disposed of. After an investigation and collection of evidence, the EPD prosecuted the landfill user concerned in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facility) Regulation. This is the second convicted case of this nature handled by the EPD this year.

     The spokesman said that according to the Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Construction Waste) Regulation, construction waste producers, including construction contractors, renovation contractors and premises owners, are required to open a billing account with the EPD and pay the construction waste disposal charge in advance for using government waste disposal facilities. In accordance with the Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facility) Regulation, a person who deliberately makes any statement or gives any information that is incorrect commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000.

     The spokesman reminded the construction and transport sectors to strictly comply with the requirements of the law. The EPD will continue to take strict enforcement action to deter any unlawful activities within landfills.

     A send-off ceremony for the 11th Young Astronaut Training Camp was held at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (July 16). Thirty selected local secondary students will set off for Beijing on July 27 on a nine-day astronaut training programme.
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said that the Young Astronaut Training Camp has been organised annually by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department since 2009. The selected candidates will be able to experience astronaut training and meet aerospace experts and astronauts to learn about their persistence and indomitable spirit. He expressed the hope that the participants can seize the rare opportunity and be proactive in learning in order to broaden their knowledge and horizons as well as make contributions to society in the future.

     Recruitment for this year's Young Astronaut Training Camp started in May. After three selection rounds, which included questions on astronomy and space science, a three-day pre-camp trial and an interview, 30 students were chosen out of more than 160 applicants from around 100 local secondary schools.
     
     The training camp will take place from July 27 to August 4. Participants will visit major space and astronomy facilities and attend lectures on space science and technology. They will also participate in astronaut training, including the wearing of spacesuits, a "space kitchen" experience, psychological training and blood redistribution adaptability training. Upon completion of the training they will undergo an examination and be presented with certificates.
 
     Other officiating guests included the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dr Liu Jianfeng; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi; the Head of the Division of Academic and Training of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Dr Zou Chonghua; and the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Ida Lee.
 
     The training camp is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in association with the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre. The training camp is arranged by the Hong Kong Space Museum and sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
 
     For details of the training camp, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Space Museum at www.yatc.hk.space.museum or call 2734 2711.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 is 105 (up 0.3 against yesterday's index).

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 22:
 

     The self-service library station located at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui will suspend services from 10am to 1pm on July 18 (Thursday), while the station located at Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area will suspend services from 2pm to 6pm on the same day for regular maintenance, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 16).

     During the service suspension period, readers are welcome to use other public libraries to borrow or return library materials. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hk.