The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (December 13) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Dr Ng Cho-nam.

     "Dr Ng had spared no effort in promoting environmental protection over the past few decades. He was the chairman of the Conservancy Association and the chairman of the Environmental Impact Assessment Subcommittee of the Advisory Council on the Environment. He was a member of the Council for Sustainable Development, the Energy Advisory Committee, the Steering Committee on Biodiveristy Strategy and Action Plan, the Environmental Campaign Committee, and the Country and Marine Parks Board, among others. He showed lifelong devotion to serving society and made significant contributions. He was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2014," Mr Wong said.

     "Dr Ng has actively participated in the conservation of remote countryside areas, such as the rehabilitation of Lai Chi Wo, in recent years, with a view to promoting biodiversity. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Ng. On behalf of the Environment Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family," Mr Wong said.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 13) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.     
   
Four beaches were rated as good (grade 1).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:         

 
     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, including 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 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.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 12) detected a suspected smuggling case by motorised sampan in Lau Fau Shan and seized a batch of suspected smuggled goods including computer RAMs, electronic parts, seafood and military knives with an estimated market value of about $4 million.

     Customs officers conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Lau Fau Shan waters last night. Officers spotted a motorised sampan sailing without  navigation light and berthed at the mangrove seashore near Lau Fau Shan Pier. Later, several men were seen moving cartons of goods onto the sampan and were suspected of engaging in smuggling activities. Officers then took enforcement action and those men immediately abandoned the sampan and fled. 

     During the operation, 40 cartons of suspected smuggled goods were seized. The seizure included a batch of computer RAMs and other electronics parts, seafood and military knives. The motorised sampan involved was also detained for further investigation.

     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.

     Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat sea smuggling activities.

     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).

  

     Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation codenamed "Sniper" on December 10 to combat the sale of counterfeit medicines. About 2.4 million tablets and 470 litres of suspected counterfeit medicines, as well as 3 200 items of suspected counterfeit cosmetics products, were seized. The total estimated market value of the seizure is about $13.8 million. This case involves the largest quantity of suspected counterfeit medicines seized by Customs in the past decade.

     Through intelligence analysis, Customs earlier discovered a syndicate distributing and selling suspected counterfeit medicines in the retail market. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action on December 10 and smashed a packing-cum-storage centre in Chai Wan operated by the counterfeit medicine syndicate. About 2.4 million tablets and 470 litres of suspected counterfeit medicines were seized, involving more than 20 types of medicines, including controlled medicines. Some 3 200 items of suspected counterfeit cosmetics products were also seized. A 43-year-old male operator was arrested.

     On the same day, Customs raided four medicine stores in Sheung Shui, Yuen Long and Yau Ma Tei to combat the retail network of the syndicate. A batch of suspected counterfeit medicines and suspected counterfeit cosmetics products were further seized. Six men, including five persons-in-charge and one salesperson, aged between 26 and 56, were arrested.

     The seven arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation. Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs believes that the operation has successfully demolished a syndicate distributing and selling suspected counterfeit medicines. The department will continue to take stringent law enforcement action and maintain close contact with relevant trademark owners, government departments and organisations, as well as keep track of the market, with a view to combatting counterfeit medicine activities.

     Customs reminds traders that selling counterfeit medicine is a serious crime and offenders face criminal liability. Consumers are also reminded to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or authorised agents if authenticity of a product is in doubt.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

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

    

     The opening ceremony of H2OPE Centre was held with the launch of the "Let's Save 10L Water 2.0" Campaign today (December 13), signifying further steps by the Water Supplies Department (WSD) to enhance promotion and education on cherishing water resources.
     
     The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Wong Chung-leung, said at the ceremony today that the WSD has been adopting a wide range of channels to promote water conservation to the public. It includes the setting up of a new Water Resources Education Centre in Tin Shui Wai, namely the H2OPE Centre, to provide more information on water resources and water conservation to the general public so as to foster a culture of cherishing water in society. He called for joint efforts by people to protect Earth's precious water resources.
     
     The Water Resources Education Centre has been moved from its original site in the WSD's Mong Kok Office to the new Tin Shui Wai Office, with a fresh design. The exhibition area has been increased 1.4 times to 720 square metres. To effectively deliver richer information about water resources and water conservation to the public, the H2OPE Centre has been established with 12 exhibition zones containing over 50 exhibits relevant to daily lives. Among the exhibits, the 3D dome theatre presents three- dimensional animation movies featuring different water resource issues with dynamic effect. Visitors' understanding of water resources and water recycling is also deepened through interactive games and live demonstrations of water recycling plants in the centre. Visitors are welcome to H2OPE Centre during opening hours. Guided tours are also available for groups who can make a reservation online. For more details, please visit the website of H2OPE Centre.
     
     In 2014, the WSD launched the "Let's Save 10L Water" Campaign to urge the public to save 10 litres of water every day given the preciousness of water resources. To give further impetus to the public, WSD launched another round of this water-saving campaign, namely "Let's Save 10L Water 2.0", today. There will be a series of activities under the campaign, including an "Innovative Water Efficient Showerhead Design Competition" and a "Water Saving Competition". The current flow controller installation scheme for public rental housing estates and government funded/subsidised schools will be extended to private housing estates and private schools as well. Through public engagement activities under the campaign, the aim is to cultivate water-saving habits in all walks of life in the community so as to hit the goal of water-saving throughout the territory.
     
     The "Innovative Water Efficient Showerhead Design Competition" under the "Let's Save 10L Water 2.0" Campaign is now open for application. The competition aims to spark creative designs for water-efficient showerheads and encourage the water-using product industry to design and manufacture more water-efficient appliances. For details of the competition, please visit the website of the campaign.