Tag Archives: China

Inspection of aquatic products imported from Japan

     In response to the Japanese Government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is conducting comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     From noon on June 9 to noon today (June 10), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 185 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt” category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).
 
     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO’s website (www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24, 2023, to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 142 427 samples of food imported from Japan (including 93 712 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 32 640 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more

East Asia

Free use of leisure and cultural facilities on July 1 in celebration of 28th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR

     To celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a number of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)’s fee-charging leisure and cultural facilities will open for use by members of the public free of charge on July 1 (Tuesday), which include:
 

  • Indoor leisure facilities: badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls*, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms*, activity rooms, dance rooms and a cycling track*; 
  • Outdoor leisure facilities: tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, archery ranges* and golf facilities (excluding camp facilities, sports grounds as well as artificial and natural turf pitches); 
  • Public swimming pools (excluding Wan Chai Swimming Pool, and Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool which is temporarily closed for redevelopment);
  • Craft at water sports centres* (recreational kayaks, pedal-driven boats, sampans and colour boats at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre are available for free use by campers only); and
  • Permanent exhibitions of the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum (excluding the shows at Space Theatre)

(* Users are required to possess the relevant qualification certificates.)

     The free-of-charge sessions on July 1 will be allocated through balloting. During the period June 14 to 20, members of the public can make ballot applications via SmartPLAY as individual users. Each application can cover a maximum of three balloting choices. For applications made, each applicant can revise the choices before the closing of the application period at 11.59pm on June 20. The computer balloting results will be announced on June 23. Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system. For members of the public not having been allocated any balloted free session or made any application, they can book the remaining free sessions, if any, via SmartPLAY on a first-come, first-served basis from June 25. Each successful applicant will be allocated one free session, whether through balloting or first-come, first-served booking. 

     The LCSD appeals to successful applicants to arrive on time and make the best use of the booked facilities. If a successful applicant fails to take up a booked session 10 minutes after the starting time, the facility will be reallocated to walk-in participants on a first-come, first-served basis for use as the same purpose as that for which it has been booked. The facility should be returned to the original successful applicant if he/she shows up later. All users should observe the Conditions of Use of LCSD Recreation and Sports Facilities as shown on the LCSD website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/condition/index.html (including the “no-show/not present during the use of the booked sessions” penalty). Please call 2414 5555 for enquiry or visit the thematic website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/freeuseday/index.html.

     No prior booking is required for public swimming pool facilities. Members of the public may line up at the entrances of swimming pools before the start of a session. Free admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

     Admission will continue to be free at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, the Hong Kong Railway Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, the Law Uk Folk Museum, the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum, the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum, the Hong Kong Film Archive, the Sam Tung Uk Museum and the Oil Street Art Space (Oi!). (The Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum is temporarily closed for upgrading works. The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is closed on Tuesdays (including July 1).) read more

East Asia

Special offers announced in celebration of HKSAR’s 28th anniversary

     To celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on July 1, the Government and different sectors of the community will launch a rich array of special offers and activities, covering areas including public transport; culture, arts and leisure; as well as dining and consumption, to share with members of the public the joy of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
 
     For public transport, members of the public can enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes from July 1 to 3. The MTR will give away 71 000 e-single journey tickets through a lucky draw on July 1 and provide Airport Express offers to holders of Child Octopus and JoyYou Cards. Moreover, free rides on several ferry routes will be offered to the public on July 1, with vouchers for certain ferry routes to be distributed in advance.
 
     In culture, arts and leisure, the public will be offered free admission to a number of fee-charging leisure and cultural facilities of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and to the Hong Kong Wetland Park under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department on July 1. They can also enjoy free admission to all General Admission exhibitions at M+ and all thematic exhibitions at the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District on that day. Furthermore, additional free guided tours, dining, consumption and accommodation offers will be provided from mid-June to early July by the 12 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.
 
     As for dining and consumption, several public markets under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will roll out different offers. Members of the public can also enjoy a 29 per cent discount when purchasing selected products of the Fish Marketing Organization and the Vegetable Marketing Organization via the “Local Fresh” online store or mobile app from July 1 to 7. The Environmental Protection Department will offer double GREEN$ Points to the public who recycle at its community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY on July 1.
 
     Meanwhile, more than 1 000 restaurants and merchants are expected to provide dining offers on July 1. The Peak Tram, Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park Hong Kong will offer ticket discounts, while Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Science Park, various shopping malls and department stores will roll out shopping, dining, consumption or parking offers. In addition, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will team up with local businesses to offer various dining, shopping, attractions, tours and entertainment deals.
 
     The Government thanks various sectors for actively responding to its call by launching special offers and activities to celebrate with the public the HKSAR’s 28th anniversary. Information about the offers and activities is available on the dedicated website (www.hksar28.gov.hk). Relevant government departments and organisations will announce details in due course. read more

East Asia