The Financial Secretary has re-appointed Mr Lawrence Lam Yuk-kun and Ms Barbara Shiu as members of the Risk Management Committee (RMC) of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX).  

     The re-appointments, made under section 65 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance, are for a term of two years with effect from July 1, 2019.

     "Mr Lam and Ms Shiu are experienced professionals in the financial services sector. We believe that they would continue to provide valuable advice to the RMC," a Government spokesman said today (June 25).

     The RMC was established in March 2000 with the statutory role of formulating policies on risk management matters relating to the activities of the HKEX and its subsidiaries and to submit such policies to the Board of the HKEX for consideration.

     The RMC is chaired by the Chairman of the HKEX, Mrs Laura Cha May-lung. Other serving members are Mr Ignatius Chan Tze-ching, Ms Mary Ma Xuezheng, the Executive Director (Supervision of Markets) of the Securities and Futures Commission, the Executive Director (Monetary Management) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 is  104.8 (same as yesterday's index).

     Mobile Libraries 3, 4, 10 and 11 will suspend services during designated periods in July for routine maintenance, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 25).

     Mobile Library 10 will suspend services from July 2 to 6. The affected service points are Cheung Wang Estate in Tsing Yi, Ching Ho Estate in Sheung Shui, Tin Yuet Estate in Tin Shui Wai, Hung Shui Kiu in Yuen Long and Hoi Lai Estate in Sham Shui Po. For enquiries about Mobile Library 10 services, please call 2450 1857.

     Mobile Library 3 will suspend services from July 8 to 13. The affected service points are Shan King Estate, Siu Hong Court, Sam Shing Estate and Fu Tai Estate in Tuen Mun; Kingswood Country Club and Tin Ching Estate in Tin Shui Wai; and Fairview Park in Yuen Long. For enquiries about Mobile Library 3 services, please call 2450 1857.

     Mobile Library 11 will suspend services from July 15 to 20. The affected service points are Cho Yiu Chuen, Kwai Shing West Estate and Kwai Shing East Estate in Kwai Chung; Po Tin Estate in Tuen Mun; Sun Chui Estate in Sha Tin; Easeful Court in Tsing Yi; and Tin Wah Estate in Tin Shui Wai. For enquiries about Mobile Library 11 services, please call 2479 1055.

     Mobile Library 4 will suspend services from July 24 to 30. The affected service points are Yat Tung Estate in Tung Chung, Discovery Bay, Pui O, Shui Hau and Tong Fuk. For enquiries about Mobile Library 4 services, please call 2984 9417.

     Readers are welcome to use other public libraries during the service suspension periods. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hk.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

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

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that the lifesaving services at Golden Beach, Cafeteria New Beach and Cafeteria Old Beach in Tuen Mun District resumed today (June 25). The lifesaving services at the beaches were suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty.

     A & A Building Materials Supplier, a paint importer, was convicted and fined a total of $14,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 25) for contravening the Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation by importing two types of architectural paint with excessive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from Italy and the Mainland.

     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said the importer involved imported 360 litres of Industria Chimica General Stone Color (Black) from Italy last July and 36 litres of Italcina Proof 10S Plus Impregnator from the Mainland last September. Analysis of the samples collected by the EPD confirmed that the VOC content in these two products exceeded the legal limit by 2.4 times and 1.8 times respectively. The EPD subsequently prosecuted the responsible person of the importer, A & A Building Materials Supplier, according to the Regulation.

     The spokesman said VOCs are a major component responsible for the formation of smog, resulting in regional air pollution and smog problems. Some of the VOCs are poisonous and would cause harm to public health. Starting from April 1, 2007, the Government gradually put under regulatory control the import and local manufacture of products containing VOCs, including architectural paint, printing inks, vehicle refinishing paint, vessel and pleasure craft paint, adhesives and sealants, as well as a series of consumer products. The EPD will continue to combat regulated products with VOC content exceeding the legal limits with a view to further improving the air quality of Hong Kong and the neighbouring regions.

     The spokesman reminded all importers and local manufacturers of paint to ensure the VOC levels of the regulated products are in compliance with the legal limits before importing or manufacturing them in order to avoid contravening the law. In addition, construction works contractors should use VOC-compliant paints to protect the health of the workers at their construction sites and the environment.

     In accordance with the Regulation, anyone who imports into or manufactures in Hong Kong regulated products with VOCs exceeding the legal limits commits an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     For more information about VOC control, please visit the EPD's website: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/voc_reg.html.