The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 9) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.
 
     Three beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and one as Fair (Grade 2).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:          

 
Grade 2 beach is:             

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
 
     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 storm 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     The Research Grants Council (RGC) will present a public lecture under the theme of Bringing Well-being to Life on December 17 (Saturday) at the Hong Kong Central Library. All are welcome.
 
     The RGC has invited Professor of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics and Professor of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Richard So, and Chair Professor of the Applied Psychology and Head of the Department of Applied Psychology of the Lingnan University, Professor Siu Oi-ling, to share their research findings and knowledge in relation to gerontechnology and occupational stress in the Greater Bay Area. Details are as follows:
 
Time: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library
Language: Cantonese
Admission: Free (seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis)
 
     Members of the public can also watch a live broadcast of the lecture through the Multimedia Information System of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (mmis.hkpl.gov.hk).
 
First session: Gerontechnology: Smart Hearing and Contactless Health Monitoring
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    Advances in medicine have extended the life expectancy of humans to beyond 80 years. As humans age, our hearing and health degenerate, resulting in poorer quality of life. Professor Richard So will introduce how AI technology helps develop smart hearing and contactless health monitoring solutions. With these intelligence technologies, senior citizens can continuously communicate effortlessly with their families and friends, enjoy the music they love and have their health status such as blood pressure and heart rates checked through mobile phones.
 
Second session: Economic, Psychological and Social Costs of Occupational Stress in the Greater Bay Area
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     Studies on the social and economic costs of stress are relatively uncommon in Mainland China. In view of this, Professor Siu Oi-ling explores the sources of occupational stress and their economic, psychological and social costs in the Greater Bay Area. Professor Siu will explain the impacts of economic development and performance of industries in the area on millions of employees, which in turn will enhance the competitiveness of the country and improve employees' quality of life.
 
     The public lectures of the RGC aim at arousing public interest in local research developments. Since 2009, the RGC has invited numerous leading scholars to speak at these lectures. For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). In addition, the RGC has launched an email subscription service. Members of the public can subscribe to the service at www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribe to receive regular updates on the RGC.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold its second public hearing on "Continuing Education Fund" (Chapter 1) of the Director of Audit's Report No.79 on Monday (December 12) at 3pm in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex.

     Eight witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearing to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by PAC members.
 
     The programme for the public hearing is as follows:
 
Subject: Continuing Education Fund (Chapter 1 of the Director of Audit's Report No.79)
Date: December 12 (Monday)
Time: 3pm
Venue: Conference Room 1
 
Witnesses:
 
Mr Ho Kai-ming
Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare
 
Mr Stanley Wan
Principal Assistant Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Manpower)
 
Mr Andrew Tsang
Head, Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency
 
Mr Sunny Yeung
Controller, Student Finance Office, Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency
 
Mr Albert Chow
Executive Director, Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications
 
Dr Joe Hong
Deputy Executive Director (Academic), Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications
 
Ms Anna Cheung
Head and Senior Registrar (Academic Accreditation and Assessment), Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications
 
Ms Virginia Tsin
Registrar (Academic Accreditation and Assessment), Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications
 
     PAC is chaired by Mr Shiu Ka-fai, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Paul Tse. Other members are Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Mr Luk Chung-hung, Mr Edmund Wong, Mr Louis Loong and Ms Carmen Kan.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, December 9, 2022 is 102.8 (down 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     In line with the opening of the new space of Oil Street Art Space (Oi!), Oi! is organising the Archaic Curator Series, inviting young Chinese art historians to serve as guest curators and showcase contemporary art that draws upon traditional Chinese culture. Seon1: Cultural Symbols of Chinese Landscape Painting is the first exhibition of the series, which will be launched at Oi! Glassie today (December 9).
      
     "Cun", or "seon1" in Cantonese Romanisation, is a distinctive way of expression for Chinese painting. "Seon1", meaning "texture stroke", stems from painters' observation of the nature as they translate what they see into brushwork that captures the construction, roughness and texture of a landscape setting and reveals the rendering of shadows and light. The terrains of various regions in different seasons and weather conditions at different times evoke distinct emotions in painters, who then create a fine range of texture strokes.
      
     The Associate Curator of Painting and Calligraphy at the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Dr Phil Chan, being the guest curator of this exhibition, invited six local artists, namely Wong Hau-kwei, Ou Da-wei, Raymond Fung Wing-kee, Hung Hoi, Hung Fai and Yau Wing-fung, to recreate one or more masterpieces from the collection of the Art Museum and present the landscape in their mind using texturing technique.
      
     This exhibition will echo the theme of the Art Museum's exhibition, Majestic Vistas: Selected Landscape Paintings from the Collection of the Art Museum, CUHK, revealing infinite possibilities of landscape painting in the present day. Audiences can find the natural charm that lingers forever in Chinese landscape paintings and enjoy a tranquil moment brought by the landscapes and by Chinese art and culture.
      
     Archaic Curator Series: Seon1 – Cultural Symbols of Chinese Landscape Painting is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and CUHK, and jointly organised by Oi! and the Art Museum of CUHK. The project works will be on display from today until February 5 next year at Oi! Glassie. For details, please visit the website www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/APO/en_US/web/apo/archaic_curator_series_seon1.html or call 2512 3000 for enquiries.
      
     In order to comply with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the museums under the management of the LCSD. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, members of the public entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the relevant requirements of the Vaccine Pass. According to the current requirement on the Vaccine Pass, all persons with their Vaccine Pass QR codes displayed in red are not allowed to enter museums under the management of the LCSD while patrons holding amber codes are allowed to enter the premises with valid Vaccine Pass.