The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, October 4, 2018 is 105.3 (up 0.4 against yesterday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council:

     The Road Safety Council (RSC), New Territories North Traffic Headquarters of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (New Territories North) will jointly hold an Elderly Pedestrian Safety Campaign at 2.30pm tomorrow (October 5) in Tai Po Civic Centre. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

     Highlights will include a music performance by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Kaifong Women's Association Sun Fong Chung College Silver Band, an elderly drama performance by Tuen Mun District Elderly Police Call, a music performance by the NTHYK Tai Po District Secondary School Chinese Orchestra, a marching performance by Sam Shui Natives Association Huen King Wing School and a music performance by the Promotion Officer of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Ms Susan Tse.

     The ceremony will be officiated by a member of the RSC, Dr Liu Kai-ming; the Senior Superintendent of Traffic New Territories North of the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr Lee Chi-wai; Superintendent of Police and Divisional Commander of Tai Po Division of the Hong Kong Police Force Mr Ma Sing-yuen; the Regional Commander of the Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol (New Territories North), Mr Alarie Lai; Ms Tse; the Assistant District Officer (Tai Po) of the Home Affairs Department, Ms Iris Lee; and the Chairman of the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Tai Po District Council, Dr Lau Chee-sing.
 

     A man who went missing in Ma On Shan has been located.

     Leung Pak-on, aged 34, went missing after he left his residence in Heng On Estate on September 30 morning. His family made a report to Police on October 2.

     The man was located on Tai Chung Kiu Road this (October 4) morning. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The Transport Department (TD) said today (October 4) that to encourage taxi drivers to provide quality services and thereby enhance the service standard and image of the taxi industry, the TD and the Committee on Taxi Service Quality (CTSQ) will launch the Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme to commend taxi drivers for their service excellency. The scheme is now open for public nominations until October 31.
      
     To nominate outstanding taxi drivers, members of the public can send the completed nomination form to the TD by post, facsimile or e-mail. They can also submit the form online through GovHK. The form can be downloaded from the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_276/taxi_driver_commendation_scheme_nomination_form.pdf).
      
     After the nomination period, members of the public can learn about the good conduct and performance of the nominated taxi drivers and vote for their favorite taxi driver on the designated website. In addition to online voting, they can cast their votes by post and facsimile. The Prize Presentation Ceremony of Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme will be held in January 2019.
      
     For enquiries, please call 2829 5326.

     Members of the public are invited to view the winning entries of the 43rd Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions at the Exhibition Gallery on Level 4 of the Administration Building of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, from October 8 to 10.
           
     Some 200 winning pieces from different categories of the competitions will be displayed, including photography, painting, Chinese essay writing, Chinese story writing, Chinese calligraphy, slogan and poster design, couplets and Chinese poetry writing.

     Prominent local calligraphists and painters will give demonstrations at 4.45pm on the first day of the exhibition. Visitors may have the chance to obtain the artworks as souvenirs. 
           
     Sponsored by the Home Affairs Department, the competitions have been jointly organised by the Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions Committee and various community organisations with support from over 50 organisations since 1975. The competitions aim to promote youth interest in and understanding of Chinese language, arts and culture, and to encourage them to participate in healthy extra-curricular activities. This year's competitions attracted over 12 000 entrants in 16 categories.
           
     The exhibition will be open on October 8 (4pm to 8pm), October 9 (10am to 8pm) and October 10 (10am to 6pm). 
           
     Admission is free. Each visitor will receive a souvenir on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.