The levy thresholds under the Construction Industry Council Ordinance (CICO), the Construction Workers Registration Ordinance (CWRO) and the Pneumoconiosis and Mesothelioma (Compensation) Ordinance (PMCO) will be raised from $1 million to $3 million from next Monday (July 30).

     At present, contractors are required under the CICO and the CWRO to pay levies at 0.5 per cent and 0.03 per cent of the value of the construction operations respectively to support the work of the Construction Industry Council and the administration of the construction workers registration regime. They are also required under the PMCO to pay a levy at 0.15 per cent of the value of the construction operations to finance the statutory functions of the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board.

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) passed two resolutions on June 27 to raise the levy thresholds under the CICO and the PMCO to relieve the financial burden on small and medium contractors. The same amendment has been made under the CWRO, which was tabled at the LegCo on July 11. Under the new levy threshold, contractors are not required to pay levies for construction operations of a total value not exceeding $3 million with effect from July 30, except for construction operations that have commenced or for which tenders have been submitted before the effective date.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 23) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The opening ceremony of "Improvement Works at Silvermine Bay Beach, Mui Wo, Lantau Island" (the Silvermine Bay Project) under the Signature Project Scheme (SPS) of Islands District was held at Silvermine Bay Beach at Mui Wo today (July 22).  
     
     The Silvermine Bay Project was one of the two SPS projects of Islands District. The improvement works included demolition of the existing beach service buildings and construction of new beach buildings and associated beach facilities including a barbeque pit area and a sitting-out area as well as a viewing deck near the entrance to the beach to provide an excellent place for visitors to enjoy the scenery of Silvermine Bay Beach. The Silvermine Bay Project achieved synergy with the "Improvement Works at Mui Wo" project implemented by the Civil Engineering and Development Department in improving the facilities and environment, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of Mui Wo.
      
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan, said Silvermine Bay Beach is a well-known tourist spot in Mui Wo. For the successful completion of the Silvermine Bay Project, Mr Chan paid tribute to the support of the Islands District Council (IDC), and close collaboration among the Islands District Office, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Mui Wo Rural Committee and members of the local community. 
      
     Under the SPS, the Government earmarked a provision of $100 million for each District Council for the implementation of signature projects upon its endorsement, so as to better respond to local needs. Apart from the the Silvermine Bay Project, the other SPS project of Islands District is "Yung Shue Wan Library cum Heritage and Cultural Showroom, Lamma Island", with completion targeted for the end of 2018.
      
     Other officiating guests included the Chairman of the IDC, Mr Chow Yuk-tong; the Director of Home Affairs, Miss Janice Tse; Deputy Director of Home Affairs Miss Charmaine Wong; the Convenor of the Islands District Working Group on Signature Project (Silvermine Bay Project), Mr Wong Man-hon; the Vice Chairman of the IDC, Mr Randy Yu; the District Officer (Islands), Mr Anthony Li; and Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Mr Simon Liu.
      

     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, will leave Hong Kong on July 24 for a visit to Wuhan to learn about Wuhan's cultural development and heritage conservation. He will also meet Hong Kong people living there.
      
     Mr Lau will depart for Beijing on July 26 to attend the closing ceremonies of the Youth Internship Programme at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Fin Society's internship programme. He will also watch a children's Cantonese opera performance by the Sing Fai Cantonese Opera Promotion Association from Hong Kong and visit Hong Kong interns in Beijing.
      
     Mr Lau will depart from Beijing and return to Hong Kong in the morning on July 28. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 22) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.