The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, September 6, 2024 is 103.5 (down 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 6) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
 
     Nineteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and 21 as Fair (Grade 2).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:          

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

     Compared with the grading released last week, Anglers' Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Pui O Beach and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2. Repulse Bay Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
 
     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
 
     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, the 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong:

     The Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong today (September 6) announced that applications for the 2025 Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination will open on September 23, 2024. 

     Applicants who are non-listed Chinese medicine practitioners taking the Licensing Examination for the first time should submit their applications by October 31, 2024. Listed Chinese medicine practitioners or repeaters who wish to undertake the 2025 Licensing Examination should submit their enrolments from December 2, 2024, to January 28, 2025.

     The 2025 Licensing Examination consists of Part I Written Examination and Part II Clinical Examination. The written examination will be held in June 2025, while the clinical examination will be held from the end of July to mid-August 2025.

     According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549), any person who wishes to apply for registration as a registered Chinese medicine practitioner must first undertake and pass the Licensing Examination. Other than listed Chinese medicine practitioners who are required by the Board to undertake the Licensing Examination, a person is eligible to undertake the Licensing Examination if the applicant has satisfactorily completed an undergraduate degree course of training in Chinese medicine practice or its equivalent as approved by the Board. 

     The undergraduate degree courses of training in Chinese medicine practice of no less than five years' duration offered by the universities and Chinese medicine institutes stated in Table 1 of the "Candidates' Handbook for the 2025 Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination" are recognised by the Board. Other than clinical internship and clinical practice, the course must be fully conducted in the university/institute awarding the bachelor degree in Chinese medicine.

     The "Candidates' Handbook for the 2025 Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination", the application form and the enrolment form are available at the Council's Secretariat at Room 2201, 22/F Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the Department of Health, and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres. To obtain relevant information, please visit the Council's homepage (www.cmchk.org.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 announced today (September 6) that as lifeguards are unable to go to Hap Mun Bay Beach and Trio Beach in Sai Kung District by ferries due to inclement weather, lifesaving services at these beaches have been suspended. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches until further notice.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 6) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District; and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.