The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, together with Members of the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, started their visit to Hangzhou today (September 13). The Commissioner for Transport, Ms Angela Lee, also joined the visit.

     Mr Lam and the delegation visited the Hangzhou City Brain Operation Command Center in the morning to learn how the local government applies the "City Brain" system. This includes analysing large amounts of real-time data to work out traffic enhancement proposals, such as adjusting traffic signal timings to improve road traffic speed. The delegation then toured the headquarters of a large vehicle manufacturer in Hangzhou to inspect the research and development and usage of new energy vehicles.

     They then met with representatives of the Hangzhou Transportation Bureau to exchange views on topics such as traffic management, the development of new energy vehicles and green transport. Mr Lam said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is taking forward a series of measures under the smart mobility strategy, including the launch of the free-flow tolling service HKeToll, automated parking systems and the establishment of the $1 billion Smart Traffic Fund to provide funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and application of vehicle-related innovation and technology. These initiatives aim to adopt innovation and technology to support effective traffic management, facilitate the commuting of the public and enhance the use of public transport, thereby alleviating road traffic congestion and reducing overall carbon emission. 

     The delegation also visited Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, where they received a briefing from a representative of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK). The AAHK has participated in the operation and management of Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport since 2006, and holds a partial share of the project.

     The delegation concluded its four-day visit to the Yangtze River Delta Region and will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

          

     Hongkong Post announced today (September 13) that, as advised by the postal administration of Thailand, due to the impact of heavy rain, mail delivery services to areas with postcodes 13xxx, 50xxx, 57xxx, 63xxx and 65xxx are subject to delay, while mail delivery services to Sukhothai province for areas with postcodes 64xxx have returned to normal.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (September 13) urgently appeals to members of the public to donate blood as inventories have been depleted to a very low level, with only three to four days of stock remaining. The BTS urgently appeals to members of the public to come forward and give blood, sharing their blessings of reunion amid the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays. Most BTS donor centres are open on public holidays (see Annex).  

     The BTS aims to collect 650 units of blood daily to meet the need of all hospitals across the city. Sufficient blood supply is crucial to facilitate clinical transfusions. Members of the public aged between 16 and 65 (donation is possible up to the age of 75 if predetermined conditions are met), weighing 41 kilograms or above and in good health are eligible to give blood. The BTS reminds donors to make appointment via its website, HK Blood mobile apps or by calling the BTS donor centres.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, September 13, 2024 is 103.6 (down 0.4 against yesterday's index).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 13) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
      
     Twenty-three beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and 17 as Fair (Grade 2).
      
Grade 1 beaches are:           

 
Grade 2 beaches are:   

      
     Compared with the grading released last week, Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach, Lido Beach, Middle Bay Beach and Silver Mine Bay Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.  Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application (available for download from: www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQApp) or the dedicated beach water quality forecast page (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast) on the EPD's beach thematic website.

Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 27 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from September 1. Due to the damage caused to the footpaths leading to Chung Hom Kok Beach by landslides, the beach is temporarily closed until further notice. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).

Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which is a non-gazetted beach that has no lifesaving service.