The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, April 22, 2024 is 106.1 (up 0.1 against last Saturday's index).
​The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, April 20, 2024 was 106 (down 0.1 against last Friday's index).
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 April 19 to noon today (April 22), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 402 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category, in the past three days (including last Saturday and Sunday). 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 150 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 44 623 samples of food imported from Japan (including 29 297 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 11 982 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.
Hongkong Post announced today (April 22) that, as advised by the postal administration of Mexico, mail delivery services previously impacted by a hurricane have returned to normal.
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (April 24) at 11am and Thursday (April 25) at 9am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2024 will resume and Members will speak on the Bill.
Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, all of which require written replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.
Hongkong Post announced today (April 22) that, as advised by the postal administration of New Zealand, mail delivery services to Tair�whiti/Gisborne previously impacted by a cyclone have returned to normal.