The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, March 27, 2025 is 106.7 (same as yesterday's index).

     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.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor the situation and continue to implement the enhanced testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on March 26 to noon today (March 27), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 150 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 125 210 samples of food imported from Japan (including 82 283 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 28 880 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, March 27, 2025 is 106.7 (same as yesterday's index).

     â€‹Three men were each sentenced to three to four months' imprisonment and fined between $500 and $1,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (March 27) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted three incoming male passengers, aged 36, 39 and 48, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (March 26). About 37 000, 39 000 and 40 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $484,000 and a duty potential of about $390,000 in total, were seized from their personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.

     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).

      

     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (March 27) attended the 2025 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF) in Macao and officiated alongside officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and other guests at the opening ceremony.
 
     The 2025 MIECF was held with the theme of "Innovation and Green Development – Solutions to Build Beautiful Cities". The exhibition booth of the Environment and Ecology Bureau is presenting a number of innovative initiatives adopted by the Hong Kong SAR Government departments and local industries. There are information boards on carbon reduction strategies such as carbon neutrality, energy saving and environmentally friendly buildings, green transportation, community waste reduction and smart technology. Videos on related topics demonstrate the application of innovative technologies in environmental protection continuously promoted by the Hong Kong SAR Government.  
      
     Mr Tse also paid a courtesy call on the Secretary for Transport and Public Works of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Tam Vai-man, to exchange views on various environmental subjects and collaboration opportunities.  
      
     Mr Tse said that to further seize the opportunities brought by the country's dual carbon strategies, the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department are strengthening co-operation and exploring growth opportunities with neighbouring regions while supporting local innovation and technology development. These efforts include strengthening exchanges and collaboration with cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in building low-carbon communities, developing decarbonisation technologies, promoting low-carbon products and nurturing talent. The goal is  to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 and reduce carbon emissions by half before 2035 as compared to the 2005 level.
      
     After touring the exhibition and exchanging views with Hong Kong exhibitors, Mr Tse returned to Hong Kong in the early afternoon.