The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 is 103.9 (down 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     A delegation representing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will attend a hearing of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva, Switzerland, on August 10 and 13 (Geneva time).

     A government spokesman said today (August 8) that, as part of the Chinese delegation, the HKSAR delegation will introduce to the Committee the part of China's 14th to 17th reports under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) which is related to the HKSAR, and answer the Committee's questions on the implementation of the ICERD in Hong Kong.
    
     "This is the third time the Committee has examined a report submitted by the HKSAR under the ICERD since 1997. The previous round of hearings was held in August 2009," the spokesman added.

     The delegation will be led by the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Andy Chan, and the members of the delegation will include officials from the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Labour Department and the Department of Justice.

     The third report of the HKSAR under the ICERD is available on the website of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (www.cmab.gov.hk/en/issues/report3A.htm).

     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the Youth Development Commission (YDC), Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah; and members of the YDC will depart for Shenzhen in the morning on August 10 to visit Hong Kong interns there. 

     Mr Cheung and Mr Lau will respectively lead members of the YDC to visit enterprises and organisations providing internship places for Hong Kong youths under the internship programme organised by the Y.Elites Association in Qianhai and that organised by the Hong Kong Youths Unified Association and the Young Professionals Alliance in Nanshan. They will meet with the management and exchange views with Hong Kong interns to know more about their experience.

     Mr Cheung, Mr Lau and all members of the YDC will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on the same day.

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 (August 8) 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.

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 (August 8) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.