Grading of beach water quality released

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 28) released the latest grading of water quality for eight gazetted beaches that are open for swimming.

     Seven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and one as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are:             

Big Wave Bay Beach Repulse Bay Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach Silver Mine Bay Beach    
Deep Water Bay Beach Stanley Main Beach
Golden Beach  

 
Grade 2 beach is:

Silverstrand Beach  

     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 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.




Hong Kong Customs alerts public on unsafe children’s board book toy (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs today (March 28) reminded members of the public to stay alert to an unsafe children's board book toy. Test results indicated that the plastic binding rings of the toy may detach and pose suffocation risks to children. To avoid an accident, parents should immediately stop their children from playing with the children's board book toy. Traders should also remove the children's board book toy from their shelves.
      
     Customs officers earlier test-purchased a model of the children's board book toy from a retailer for safety testing. Test results revealed that the plastic binding rings detached from the book and could pass through the base of a testing template, posing a danger of suffocation for children if accidentally swallowed. Moreover, Customs also found that the children's board book toy did not bear the identification markings prescribed by the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO).
      
     Customs later conducted an operation and searched the retailer's premises in connection with the case. No suspected unsafe children's board book toy of the same model was found and a prohibition notice was served at the same time to prohibit the continued sale of the children's board book toy by the retailer and the related wholesaler.
      
     An investigation is ongoing.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and playing with toys:
      

  • Pay attention to age recommendations shown on labels;
  • Pay attention to and follow the instructions associated with the toys;
  • Beware of whether the small parts of toys (e.g. plastic rings) are easily detachable. Detached small parts may block a child's throat and lead to suffocation if swallowed;
  • Check the structure of the toys to see, for example, whether they have a fragile structure, hidden sharp points, rough surfaces, sharp edges or gaps that may pinch children's fingers;
  • Throw away plastic packages of toys and children's products to avoid children being suffocated; and
  • Stop children from playing with the toys immediately if any damage is observed.

     Customs is committed to the protection of consumer safety and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on toys and children's products to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

     Under the TCPSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe toys or children's products. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on a subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

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Appointments to new term of Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation

     The Government today (March 28) announced the membership of the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (HKCPEC). Professor Tam Kar-yan has been reappointed as the Chairman of the HKCPEC, while Ms Emily Cheung, Mr Dickson Kwok, Ms Edith Law, Dr Miranda Lou and Professor Lui Hon-kwong have been reappointed as members. Mr Nicholas Lai, Ms Sophia Lee and Dr Raymond Wong have been appointed as new members. The aforementioned non-official members are appointed for a new term of two years from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026.
 
     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the Chairman and the other eight non-official members for accepting the appointments. Their experience and expertise in their respective sectors will undoubtedly provide useful insights to the HKCPEC in promoting regional economic co-operation. I would also like to thank the outgoing members, namely Professor Chan Wai-sum, Mr Geoffrey Kao, Mr Kelvin Lau and Miss Oriana Yeung, for their valuable contributions during their tenure."
 
     The HKCPEC is a tripartite forum, comprising members from the academic, business and government sectors, to co-ordinate Hong Kong, China's participation in the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), a non-profit, policy-oriented regional organisation with 22 member economies dedicated to the promotion of regional economic development. Over the years, apart from contributing actively to the discussion on the PECC front, the HKCPEC has also been promoting locally the importance of regional trade and economic co-operation through a series of internship and youth programmes.
 
     The new membership list of the HKCPEC is as follows:
 
Chairman
Professor Tam Kar-yan
 
Vice Chairman
Deputy Director-General of Trade and Industry
 
Members
Ms Emily Cheung
Mr Dickson Kwok
Mr Nicholas Lai
Ms Edith Law
Ms Sophia Lee
Dr Miranda Lou
Professor Lui Hon-kwong
Dr Raymond Wong
Government Economist or his/her representative
Director of Research of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council or his/her representative




Effective Exchange Rate Index

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, March 28, 2024 is 105.7 (same as yesterday's index).




CS attends opening plenary of Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 and exchanges views with Hainan and Hong Kong entrepreneurs (with photos)

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 and the Hainan-Hong Kong Entrepreneurs' Luncheon in Hainan today (March 28).

     In the morning, Mr Chan attended the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024. The theme of this year's conference is "Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities". The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Zhao Leji, delivered a keynote speech at the opening plenary. 

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan attended the Hainan-Hong Kong Entrepreneurs' Luncheon to learn about the latest developments and co-operation between entrepreneurs of the two places, and exchange views with them. Addressing the forum, Mr Chan said that Hong Kong and Hainan enjoy close geographical, cultural and business ties, and that delegation visits are organised from time to time to attract enterprises and investments, as well as deepening bilateral relationships. He also said that Hong Kong is the largest source of foreign investment in Hainan Province, and the further opening up of Hainan Province in recent years has provided numerous business opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises.

     Mr Chan added that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has been steadfastly facilitating Hong Kong enterprises' tapping of the Mainland market. Its work includes supporting the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's setup of a Hong Kong pavilion at the China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan, and its organisation of a business delegation of Hong Kong enterprises to participate in the Expo for better seizing the development opportunities brought about by the country's domestic circulation. The HKSAR Government also supports the implementation of the initiative on a global free-trade zone partnership announced by Hainan at the Boao Forum for Asia last year to further promote the interplay between domestic and international markets, thereby bringing more business opportunities to Hong Kong enterprises.

     Mr Chan looked forward to Hainan and Hong Kong entrepreneurs continuing to pursue deeper and higher-level exchanges and co-operation in more areas under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits, with a view to jointly developing new quality productive forces for injecting stronger impetus into the country's high-quality development.

     When summarising his visit to Hainan, Mr Chan said that it is now the golden time for Hong Kong, with a more stable and safer society, to strive for development and build a vibrant economy at full speed, as well as to foster exchanges and co-operation with different places around the globe including Asia and tell good stories of Hong Kong. He stressed that the HKSAR Government will continue to foster tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community in focusing on developing the economy and improving people's livelihood. It will also support Hong Kong in steadfastly serving as a bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world, while duly playing its dual role as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder", on the Asian and global stages.  

     Mr Chan concluded his visit to Hainan and will return to Hong Kong today.

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