The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 27) released the latest grading of water quality for six gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.
 
     Five beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and one as Fair (Grade 2).
 
 
Grade 1 beaches are:          

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Casam Beach and Lido Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1.
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), 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 tropical cyclone 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 EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.  Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD’s dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast). 

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, December 27, 2024 is 107.7 (up 0.2 against Tuesday's index).

     The Hong Kong Film Archive of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present its "Archival Gems" series with the theme of "Time After Time IV – The 'Times' and 'Trends' of 1970s Hong Kong Film" on the first Sunday of February and March next year, featuring four Hong Kong films that reflect the many facets of urban life and styles in the 1970s. 
 
     As socio-economic developments accelerated in the 1970s, Hong Kong cinema entered a phase of transitioning from the old to the new. Besides reflecting the daily lives of people, many Hong Kong films of the time also sought to provide sensory stimulation for audiences. This screening programme comprises of two sections, namely "A Comedic Look on Life" and "Fists and Eros". The former features comedies satirising social phenomena, while the latter showcases the trend of 1970s films featuring martial arts action and erotica to attract viewers.
 
     The two films under the "A Comedic Look on Life" section include "A Strange Tale of the Strange People" (1979) and "Money Trip" (1979). The former starred a fledgling Ng Kong as a simple-minded youth who becomes a temporary martial arts actor with his agility, encountering a series of thrilling and humorous moments. This social satire comedy paints a vivid and riveting picture of urban life through the absurd encounters of ordinary people.
 
     The other film, "Money Trip", marks the first collaboration between George Lam and Cora Miao on the big screen. In the film, the two, together with fortune seekers, embark on a crazy treasure hunt for a valuable fossil. Lau Tin-chi's script is full of the situation-comedy style of 1970s television dramas, and is rife with imaginative and whimsical elements. The film also features well-known actors Ng Mang-tat and Kent Cheng.

     "The Heroine" (1973), part of the "Fists and Eros" section, is an action-filled crime film about the crackdown on a drug-dealing gang. Jackie Chan plays a villain in the film. Also serving as the film's martial arts choreographer, he performed numerous exciting action scenes with a policewoman played by Yuen Chau, his fellow apprentice under the same master.
 
     "Underworld Beauty" (also known as "From the Underworld") (1974) tells the story of a female ghost, played by Tien Ni, who uses beauty and magic power to lure a coffin shop owner into saving the lives of evildoers. The coffin shop owner later realises that all the people he has saved live on to wreak more havoc, so he decides to follow his conscience and refuse to work with the ghost anymore. The film combines spirituality, comedy and human desire, offering not only entertainment but also an exploration of themes such as life and karma in a simple and straightforward manner.
 
     "A Strange Tale of the Strange People" and "Money Trip", to be screened on February 2, are both in Cantonese, while "The Heroine" and "Underworld Beauty", to be screened on March 2, are both in Mandarin. All films are with Chinese and English subtitles.
 
     "Money Trip" and "Underworld Beauty" will be accompanied by post-screening talks. The former will be hosted by Sam Ho and Joyce Yang, and the latter will be hosted by Dr Kenny Ng and Grace Ng.
 
     Tickets priced at $70 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from January 3 (Friday). A 20 per cent discount will be available for every purchase of regular-priced tickets of two screenings of this programme on the same day. The discounted ticket price will be $56 each. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme details, please visit the HKFA website (https://www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2024/tat4/pe-event-2024-tat4.html) or call 2739 2139.

        

     â€‹The Government announced today (December 27) that the Chief Executive has made appointments and reappointments to the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCCS) and the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCDS). The appointments of members will be effective from January 1, 2025.

     For the SCCS, the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man, an incumbent SCCS member, as Chairman, Mr Mac Chan Ho-ting, Ms Florence Chung Wai-yee and Mr Kyrus Siu King-wai as new members, and reappointed Ms Vena Cheng Wei-yan, Ms Ada Leung Ka-lai, Mr Laurence Li Lu-jen, Ms Ivy Cheung Wing-han, Ms Irene Chow Man-ling and Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi as members. The above appointments will be for a period of two years.

     For the SCDS, the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Herbert Hui Leung-wah, an incumbent SCDS member, as Chairman, Mr Ho Conrad Alwin, Ms Christina Maisenne Lee and Dr Miranda Lou Lai-wah as new members, and reappointed Mr Dennis Ho Chiu-ping, Ms Sonia Cheng Chi-man and Ms Lisa Lau Man-man as members. Mr Dennis Ho is also appointed as Chairman of the ICAC Sub-Committee. The above appointments will be for a period of two years. Mr Ivan Sze Wing-hang, an incumbent member, is appointed as Chairman of the Disciplined Services Sub-Committee for a period of one year.

     The Government expresses its sincere gratitude to retiring SCCS Chairman, Dr Pang Yiu-kai, and SCCS members Ms Christina Maisenne Lee, Dr Miranda Lou Lai-wah and Mr Joseph Luc Ngai, as well as retiring SCDS Chairman Dr Chui Hong-sheung, SCDS members Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui and Mr Mac Chan Ho-ting, for their invaluable contribution to the work of the SCCS and the SCDS.

     The SCCS tenders advice to the Chief Executive on matters concerning pay and conditions of service of non-directorate civilian civil servants. Other serving members are Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mrs Betty Yuen So Siu-mai, Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung and Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung.

     The SCDS advises the Chief Executive on issues relating to the pay and conditions of service of the disciplined services. Other serving members are Dr Sigmund Leung Sai-man, Mr Tony Tse Wai-chuen, Ms Katherine Cheung Marn-kay and Ms Loretta Fong Wan-huen.

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (December 27) that, as advised by the postal administration of Malaysia, mail delivery services to Malaysia previously impacted by flooding have returned to normal.