Effective Exchange Rate Index
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 is 106.6 (same as yesterday’s index). read more
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 is 106.6 (same as yesterday’s index). read more
In response to the Japanese Government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
From noon on July 9 to noon today (July 10), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 311 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt” category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).
In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO’s website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 66 512 samples of food imported from Japan (including 42 807 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 15 942 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more
A man was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for managing an employment agency (EA) without a valid licence in violation of the requirements under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (EO). The man was sentenced to 120 hours’ community service order today (July 10) at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts.
In December 2022, the LD received a complaint against a man from an employer seeking to hire a foreign domestic helper. As a subsequent investigation revealed sufficient evidence that the man was managing an EA without a valid licence, the LD took out prosecution against him.
All establishments or persons operating a business in Hong Kong for the purpose of obtaining employment for another person or supplying personnel to an employer are governed by Part XII of the EO and the Employment Agency Regulations. Irrespective of the mode of operation or the types of jobs referred, all EAs must obtain a licence issued by the LD before undertaking any EA activities. Except for the EA licence holder or his or her associates, no one shall operate, manage or assist in the management of an EA. Offenders may face prosecution.
The LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law as well as the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and/or revocation of licence. The maximum penalty for the offences of unlicensed operation of an EA or overcharging commissions from job seekers is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
Should there be enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about suspected violations of EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon). read more
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yung and a reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, in the Legislative Council today (July 10):
Question:
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. There are views that incorporating elements of the National Day celebrations into various cultural tourism projects will not only enhance the overall atmosphere of the National Day celebrations in HKSAR, but also help Hong Kong develop quality tourism and become an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) how it will incorporate elements of the National Day celebrations into various cultural tourism projects;
(2) whether it will seek the loan of more grade-one national treasures and more precious cultural relics from the Central Government to the Hong Kong Palace Museum under special arrangements, so as to organise a special exhibition for the National Day celebrations; and
(3) how it will focus its publicity efforts among tourists from the Mainland and overseas on cultural tourism projects incorporating elements of the National Day celebrations?
Reply:
President,
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and is an important historical milestone. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government celebrates the National Day with the public every year and promotes patriotism and national pride through a series of activities and publicity programmes. This year, more celebratory events which are rich in content and diversity will be held to create an intense festive ambience of the National Day and promote patriotism. We celebrate this special day with the public and allow visitors to experience a joyful atmosphere and share the joy of the National Day.
In respect of the questions raised by the Hon Chan Yung, in consultation with the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the consolidated reply is as follows:
The Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) is leading various bureaux and departments to actively prepare for various tasks to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. In this connection, the CS has given instructions at the previous meetings of the Steering Committee on District Governance and the Task Force on District Governance, asking all bureaux and departments to make concerted efforts to plan and take forward the preparatory work for the National Day celebrations on all fronts, with a view to creating a colourful and enthusiastic National Day atmosphere and cultivating people’s sense of patriotism at different levels of the community. Apart from the key programmes such as the annual large-scale National Day reception, flag-raising ceremony, variety show and fireworks display, all bureaux and their departments will also organise an array of celebratory activities under their respective areas, with a view to enabling more members of the public from different backgrounds and age groups to take part and share the joy of the National Day.
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) will arrange a series of cultural and tourism programmes with elements of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, enabling the public, including both citizens and visitors, to come together and celebrate the National Day. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is organising the exhibitions “Brothers in Arms: War of Resistance Activities of the East River Column in Shenzhen and Hong Kong Areas” (tentative title), the “Auspicious Fullness and Togetherness – Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greater Bay Area” (tentative title) and other exhibitions to celebrate the National Day. The LCSD will liaise with different organisations in the Mainland to borrow suitable exhibits. In addition, the LCSD will organise the “75th Anniversary of the Founding of the PRC” exhibition (tentative title) to showcase the major developments and achievements of New China since its founding 75 years ago from social, cultural, scientific and technological perspectives. After conversion, the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence will hold the “Flag Raising Ceremony cum Drill Performance on the National Day”with three youth uniformed groups. On the National Day, admission to all museums under the LCSD will be free. There are also special activities at museums. For example, the Hong Kong Museum of History has jointly organised with the Henan Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage “The Ancient Civilisation of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties in Henan Province” exhibition from April to July this year. Through over 150 sets/items of cultural relics, the exhibition introduces important archaeological sites in Henan Province, as well as the political, social, rituals and etiquette, and cultural landscapes of the three dynasties so as to give members of the public an understanding of the civilisation and history of ancient China. The Hong Kong Museum of Art has organised the “Fragrance of Time – In Search of Chinese Art of Scent” exhibition until 16 October. Featuring historical artefacts and artworks, the exhibition showcases the significance of Chinese fragrance culture in different periods, and enhances public awareness of fine traditional Chinese culture. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum will also organise traditional Chinese costumes activities and the public libraries will celebrate the National Day by specially holding thematic book displays on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC in some libraries.
Hong Kong Palace Museum will stage a special exhibition in late September this year, showcasing approximately 110 precious sets/items from the Neolithic period to the Xia dynasty, including jades, ceramics, bone objects, stone sculptures, and bronze vessels, etc. The exhibition aims to illustrate the origins and evolution of the Chinese civilisation and enhance visitors’ understanding of the remarkable achievements and the unified development with diversity of Chinese civilisation, and is one of the celebration activities marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC.
Moreover, the celebration of National Day is adopted as the theme of the annual Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival to be held at Victoria Park this year. Primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong will be invited to design dazzling lanterns with the theme of National Day. At the same time, the LCSD will present uniquely curated traditional Chinese costumes catwalk shows in which members of the public will be invited to participate by dressing in traditional Chinese costumes.
As regards performances, we have invited the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra to present the “Resounding Chimes. Magnificent works in a Prosperous Age” National Day concert. Featuring the centuries-old traditional musical instrument bianzhong, this concert comes with free pre-performance guided appreciation sessions and live demonstrations. With Hong Kong hosting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time this year, its opening programme “Sound River” will be one of the highlights of the celebration programmes.
In addition, “A Symphony of Lights” light and sound show will launch a special edition for celebration of the 75th National Day in October. At the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races co-organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association earlier in June, three races of PRC 75th Anniversary Celebration Trophy were staged and decorations with the theme of the National Day were displayed at the event venue.
The Government is actively promoting “tourism is everywhere”. Nowadays, many tourists are keen on in-depth local tourism to experience local culture and characteristics. In view of this, the 18 District Offices under the Home Affairs Department will organise National Day celebratory events with local characteristics in each district, with a view to enabling more members of the public and tourists from different backgrounds and age groups to participate and share the joy of the National Day. At the same time, the events will also showcase to visitors the unique advantages and attractions of Hong Kong in terms of the staunch support we receive from the Motherland and our global outlook.
The CSTB will continue to collaborate with the HKTB and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong to introduce and promote cultural programmes marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC to Mainland and overseas tourists, including uploading the related information onto the websites of the HKTB as well as the Mainland and overseas Economic and Trade Offices of the HKSAR Government, dedicated webpages and Instagram accounts as well as Mainland social media platforms to promote local programmes celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. In addition, we will also encourage the trade to roll out National Day special offers and programmes and carry out promotion through cross-sectoral efforts, thereby allowing members of the public and tourists to celebrate the National Day. read more
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Chun-ying and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (July 10):
Question:
The Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign (the Campaign) has been implemented for more than a decade. In February this year, the Food Wise Hong Kong Steering Committee indicated that it would extend the Campaign for two years, and a series of activities and schemes would be launched to encourage and facilitate various sectors of the community to participate in food waste reduction and recycling. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that the Food Wise Eateries Scheme (the Scheme) has put in place the Gold and Silver Classes of recognition to recognise the efforts and commitment of participating eateries in food waste reduction, of the respective numbers of eateries which have been awarded the Gold and Silver Classes since the launch of the Scheme;
(2) whether it has regularly reviewed if the participating eateries of the Scheme can fulfil the requirements for the relevant classes of recognition on a continuing basis; if it has not, of the reasons for that; if it has, the details, and whether any participating eateries have been removed from the list of participating eateries after being reviewed; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) in respect of the extension of the Campaign for two years, whether it has drawn up specific targets and action plans (for example, increasing the number of participating eateries awarded with the Gold and Silver Classes); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Currently, about 11 000 tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated in Hong Kong per day, of which around 30 per cent is food waste. The Government has always attached great importance to promoting food waste reduction at source and recycling. Since its launch in 2013, the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign has been promoting a “food wise” culture and encouraging behavioural change in the community to avoid and reduce food waste generation at source through various schemes and activities. The major schemes and activities include the Food Wise Charter, the Food Wise Eateries Scheme, Food Wise talks, the “Big Waster” social media pages, as well as promotion and publicity on “food wise” to the public through online platforms, mobile applications, public transport networks, television and radio.
Over the past 11 years, we have observed significant changes in the overall eating habits of the general public. At present, there are fewer cases of people ordering excessive amount of food in eateries or wasting a large amount of food at buffets. Taking home leftovers from eateries is now widely accepted by members of the public and is no longer seen as stinginess. Based on statistics, the per capita domestic food waste disposal rate in Hong Kong has reduced by about 15 per cent from 0.37 kilograms per day in 2013 to 0.31 kilograms per day in 2022. These reflect that a “food wise” culture has gradually taken shape in Hong Kong.
The reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Chun-ying is as follows:
(1) The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) launched the Food Wise Eateries Scheme in November 2015 to encourage eateries to work with customers towards reduction of food wastage and food waste generation at source by offering food portioning options and adopting food waste reduction measures. The Food Wise Eateries Scheme has two classes of recognition, namely Gold Class and Silver Class, corresponding to the different levels of efforts and commitment of the participating eateries. Silver Class eateries need to convey the “food wise” message at their stores and provide food portioning options. In addition to meeting the requirements of Silver Class, Gold Class eateries need to take additional measures at the management level to avoid and reduce the generation of food waste.
The Scheme has received support from a considerable number of eateries since its implementation. A total of 532 eateries and 1 076 eateries have been awarded the recognition of Gold and Silver Classes respectively. Eateries accredited under the Scheme will receive corresponding stickers to display in their stores to facilitate promotion and for customers’ identification. In addition, the list and addresses of participating eateries are published on a restaurant searching platform and the Hong Kong Waste Reduction website for members of the public to search and learn more information about environmentally friendly eateries.
(2) The accreditation of Gold and Silver Classes of Food Wise Eateries is valid for two years. If the eateries concerned confirm with the EPD before the expiration date that they will continue to take forward the committed measures, the EPD will renew their accreditation. The EPD will also conduct random inspections to verify that the participating eateries have continuously fulfilled their commitment to reduce food waste. Over the past three years, the EPD inspected a total of 212 eateries and observed that they generally adopted measures corresponding to their classes. Some eateries were unable to show the “food wise” message in their stores might be due to damage or fading of the promotional materials previously distributed to them. In such cases, the EPD staff will provide new promotional materials and remind the eateries to fulfil the requirements on publicity and message dissemination. Since the launch of the Scheme, no eateries have been removed from the list of Food Wise Eateries, except for those that have closed down.
(3) As I pointed out in the beginning, since the launch of the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign, we have observed significant changes in the overall eating habits of the general public, and a “food wise” culture has gradually taken shape in Hong Kong. The per capita domestic food waste disposal rate has also decreased, reflecting that the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign has borne fruit. To further reduce food waste, we also need to explore new directions in addition to continuing the promotion of the “waste less” concept. Currently, the EPD is actively implementing various measures to support food waste recycling from commercial, industrial and domestic sectors to gradually increase the amount of food waste recycled in Hong Kong and further reduce food waste disposal, with a view to achieving the goal of “Waste Reduction‧Resources Circulation‧Zero Landfill”.
Members of the Food Wise Hong Kong Steering Committee agreed at the meeting held in February this year to actively co-operate with the Government in promoting food waste reduction at source and recycling. They also called on relevant stakeholders and partners of the industry for their full support.
The Steering Committee will step up publicity and promotion efforts of food waste recycling in the 2023-2025 session to encourage and assist the community to participate in food waste reduction and recycling. The Steering Committee has developed a series of plans to strengthen training, support, publicity and education to raise public attention to food waste issues and increase participation in food waste recycling. For eateries, the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign will focus on strengthening promotion and encouraging eateries to participate in the EPD’s food waste recycling programmes, or using food waste recycling points set up at refuse collections points in various districts and food waste recycling spots in “food and beverage clusters” to reduce the disposal of food waste in landfills.
The Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign will also update the Food Wise Charter in this quarter to include a commitment to support food waste recycling programmes. We will introduce the EPD’s latest food waste recycling measures to the signees of the Charter and other organisations that have yet to sign up, and invite them to actively participate in and sign the new Charter.
In the meantime, the EPD will further strengthen the promotion of the “waste less” and “food wise” messages to encourage members of the public to reduce food wastage when dining out. We will also organise interactive dramas with the theme of Food Waste Reduction and Recycling through the Sustainable Development School Outreach Programme to instill a “food wise” and waste reduction culture in students from around 150 primary and secondary schools, and educate them on how to participate in food waste reduction and recycling in their daily lives.
Regarding the Food Wise Eateries Scheme, we are planning to set up an honourable Diamond Class of recognition on top of the existing Gold and Silver Classes to increase the attractiveness of the Scheme. As the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign promotes the “food wise” and waste reduction culture from various aspects, we have not set a target on the number of Food Wise Eateries in particular. Nevertheless, we will attempt to double the number in the upcoming two years through stepping up on promotional efforts.
Thank you, President. read more