The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (March 3) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of March 24, 2025, up to June 1, 2025. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
      
     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to January 31, 2025, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1 318 000 transactions, collecting 1 017 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,626 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
      
     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts' own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
      
     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
      
     The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.

     The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the Labour Department (LD) will launch a wide range of occupational safety and health training courses from April to June in 2025. The courses aim to enhance the working population's awareness of occupational safety and health, as well as their understanding of the legal requirements and standards stipulated in occupational safety regulations.
 
     The training courses cover a wide range of topics, including:
 

1. Major Safety and Health Regulations related to Industrial Accident Prevention and Their Latest Amendments
2. Safety Management Regulation cum Safety Inspection Programme and Accident/Incident Investigation
3. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention on Work in Confined Spaces and other Safety Regulations related to Risk Assessment
4. Major Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice related to Work in Public Cargo Working Areas
5. Industrial Accident Cases Analysis and Related Safety Regulations cum Major Safety and Health Regulations related to Employees' Duties (with one class to be conducted in English)
6. Safety Regulations on Working in times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment
7. A Brief Introduction to Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice related to Construction Work (including Renovation, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition Works) 
8. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention on Working at Height (including Truss-out Bamboo Scaffolds and Suspended Working Platforms) cum Codes of Practice on Scaffolds and Suspended Working Platforms (including the latest revised Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety) (new course)
9. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention on Lifting Work (including Tower and Mobile Cranes) cum Codes of Practice for Safe Use of Tower and Mobile Cranes
10. Loadshifting Machinery Regulation cum Safe Use of Power-operated Elevating Work Platform and Common Heavy Machinery
11. Major Safety Regulations related to Accident Prevention in Catering Trade
12. Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and Regulation (with one class to be conducted in English)
13. Safety Regulations on Manual Handling Operations
14. Dangerous Substances Regulations
15. Health Hints on the Use of Computer cum More Exercise Smart Work
16. Occupational Stress cum Happy Workplace
17. First Aid in the Workplace
18. Strategies for the Prevention of Occupational Diseases cum Work and Healthy Lifestyle

 
     Unless otherwise specified, the courses will mainly be conducted in Cantonese at the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre, 13/F, KOLOUR Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan. Enrolment is free.
  
     Employers who wish to arrange for their employees to attend the courses can log in to the application website (www.oshtc.labour.gov.hk/wpas/?lang=en) or scan the QR code (see Annex) to learn about the course content and sign up for the courses. Interested employees can also enrol in the courses through the abovementioned channels on their own. For enquiries, please call 2940 7057.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) is supporting the screening of Hong Kong films at the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) in Dublin, Ireland, from February 20 to March 2 (Dublin time).
 
     A networking reception was hosted on March 1 connecting professionals from Hong Kong and the international film industry. Speaking at the event, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Grace Li highlighted Hong Kong's dynamic film industry as a testament to the city's exceptional creativity and cultural identity. She reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting the film sector and enhancing its global presence.
 
     Miss Li also emphasised that, beyond its thriving film industry, Hong Kong is a vibrant arts and cultural hub. She invited friends from all around the world to visit Hong Kong, the centre for international cultural exchange, and to immerse themselves in a diverse range of art exhibitions, auctions, galleries, and performing arts events.
 
     This year, two Hong Kong productions are screened as part of the DIFF programme. The compelling films – "The Way We Talk" directed by Adam Wong and "Obedience" directed by Siu-pong Wong – offer audiences a glimpse into Hong Kong's rich cinematic landscape.
 
     DIFF is regarded as one of the most important annual events in Irish cinema, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers and other industrial professionals from Ireland and around the world. This year, DIFF presents over 80 films, including 10 world premieres from Irish filmmakers. The festival is expected to attract over 20 000 film enthusiasts through a mix of industry-focused and public events.

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will depart for Beijing tomorrow (March 4) to attend the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress on March 5. The Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, will join the visit.
      
     Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on March 6. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (March 3) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.