The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, February 24, 2025 is 106.6 (down 0.1 against last Saturday's index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, February 22, 2025 was 106.7 (same as last Friday'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 will conduct 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 and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on February 21 to noon today (February 24), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 394 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category, in the past three days (including last Saturday and Sunday). 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 150 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 117 624 samples of food imported from Japan (including 77 186 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 27 326 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) is supporting contemporary art platform Hong Kong Soul to stage four Hong Kong performance programmes at the Adelaide Fringe from February 21 to March 10, showcasing Hong Kong's unique East-meets-West art culture and the talent of Hong Kong artists.

     Hong Kong Soul is featuring two indoor programmes at the Adelaide Fringe, namely the award-winning physical theatre performance "No Dragon No Lion" by TS Crew, "Echoes of Silence: A Percussion Multimedia Odyssey" by Toolbox Percussion, as well as street performances by flow artist Lai Yee and freestyle football performer Lyson Sze.

     Speaking at the premiere show of "No Dragon No Lion" on February 21, the Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, said that the Sydney ETO is pleased to see Hong Kong Soul making its debut at the Adelaide Fringe 2025. He added that the Government is committed to developing the arts, culture and creative industries, with substantial resources provided to support arts and cultural groups and artists.

     Hong Kong Soul also staged a selection of performances at the Sydney ETO's Chinese New Year reception in Adelaide on February 20 to share the joy of the Year of the Snake with the local community in Adelaide.

     Held from February 21 to March 23, the Adelaide Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the southern hemisphere and a world-renowned, annual arts event that attracts over 8 000 independent artists from far and wide to South Australia.

            

    Mobile Libraries 4, 8 and 12 will suspend services during designated periods in March and April for maintenance, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (February 24).

    Mobile Library 12 will suspend services from March 3 to 15. The affected service points are Kam Tsin Village and Tung Hing Road Car Park in Sheung Shui; Ka Fuk Estate and Cheong Shing Court in Fanling; Lei Muk Shue Estate, Bayview Garden, Sham Tseng Market Carpark, Tsuen King Circuit Playground and Cheung Shan Estate in Tsuen Wan; Tai Wo Hau Estate and Kwai Luen Estate in Kwai Chung; Fu Cheong Estate in Sham Shui Po; and Kwong Fuk Estate in Tai Po. For enquiries about Mobile Library 12 services, please call 2479 1055.

    Mobile Library 4 will suspend services from March 17 to 29. The affected service points are Yat Tung Estate in Tung Chung, Discovery Bay, Pui O, Shui Hau and Tong Fuk. For enquiries about Mobile Library 4 services, please call 2984 9417.

    Mobile Library 8 will suspend services from March 24 to April 5. The affected service points are Laguna City in Lam Tin, Po Tat Estate in Sau Mau Ping, On Tai Estate in Kwun Tong, Tai Hang Tung Estate on Tai Hang Tung Road, Laguna Verde in Hung Hom and Yau Lai Estate in Yau Tong. For enquiries about Mobile Library 8 services, please call 2926 3055.

    Readers are welcome to use other public libraries during the service suspension periods. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hk.

     Twenty-seven convictions were recorded in January 2025 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department.

     One of the convictions was under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, one was under the Noise Control Ordinance, four were under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, four were under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance, 16 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance, and one was under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.

     A company was fined $20,000, which was the heaviest fine in January, for importing controlled waste without a permit.