Tag Archives: China

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 14) released the latest grading of water quality for six gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.
 
     Six beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
 
Grade 1 beaches are:          

Casam Beach	Golden Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach	Lido Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach	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 EPD’s dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast). read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, February 14, 2025 is 106.9 (down 0.3 against yesterday’s index). read more

     The Fire Services Department (FSD) has been mounting territory-wide special enforcement actions in phases at domestic and composite buildings since July 2024. During the operation, the FSD inspected 124 such buildings in Tsuen Wan District and issued 23 warning letters to relevant incorporated owners, reminding them to submit valid fire service installations and equipment certificates before the specified deadline.
      
     Eight incorporated owners involving 11 buildings in Tsuen Wan District (listed in the Annex) were prosecuted by the FSD for failing to conduct annual inspections of fire service installations or equipment on their premises. They were convicted and fined a total of $25,900 at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (February 13).
      
     According to the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations, any person who owns any fire service installation or equipment installed in any premises commits an offence if they fail to have such fire service installation or equipment inspected by a registered contractor at least once in every 12 months. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000.
      
     The FSD will continue to conduct territory-wide special enforcement actions in various districts and remind owners of fire service installations or equipment in the premises to have such fire service installations or equipment inspected by a registered contractor at least once in every 12 months. read more

     The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced today (February 14) the appointment of Professor Douglas So Cheung-tak as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation (ACBHC), as well as the appointment of… read more

     A red tide was sighted during the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (February 14).

     On February 13, staff of the Marine Department spotted a red tide at Tolo Harbour. The red tide still persists and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

     A spokesman for the working group said, “The red tide was formed by Asterionellopsis glacialis, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic.”

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD’s proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public. read more