The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, December 14, 2018 is 105.6 (up 0.2 against yesterday's index).

 The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent websites and phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the websites should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 13) seized 677 suspected smuggled computer central processing units with an estimated market value of about $1.1 million at Lok Ma Chau Control Point.

     Customs officers yesterday intercepted an outgoing private vehicle at Lok Ma Chau Control Point and found the batch of computer central processing units in a false compartment of the vehicle.

     The 34-year-old male driver was arrested. Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

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

Clear Water Bay Second Beach
Golden Beach
Repulse 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 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 storm 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 department's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing on "Centre for Food Safety: Management of food safety" (Chapter 1) of the Director of Audit's Report No.71 at 9.30am tomorrow (December 15) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex.

     Six witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearing to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by PAC members.

     The programme for the public hearing is as follows:

Date: December 15 (Saturday)
Time: 9.30am
Venue: Conference Room 1
 
Subject: Centre for Food Safety: Management of food safety (Chapter 1 of the Director of Audit's Report No.71)

Witnesses:

Secretary for Food and Health
Professor Sophia Chan

Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Food)2
Mr Eugene Fung

Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene
Miss Vivian Lau

Controller, Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Dr Ho Yuk-yin

Consultant (Community Medicine)(Risk Assessment and Communication), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Dr Samuel Yeung

Assistant Director (Risk Management), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
Dr Christine Wong

     PAC is chaired by Mr Abraham Shek, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Kenneth Leung. Other members include Mr Paul Tse, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Ms Tanya Chan.