With the northeast monsoon over the south China coast generally weaker than normal for most of the time in the month, January 2024 was overall warmer than usual in Hong Kong despite a very cold episode in the latter part o… read more
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 2) 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:
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Golden Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
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 February 1 to noon today (February 2), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 224 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 28 667 samples of food imported from Japan (including 19 194 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 8 070 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.
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A traveller who illegally exported incense tree wood chips was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 30 months by the District Court today (February 2).
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that an outbound male traveller heading to the Mainland, aged 38, was intercepted by Customs officers at Shenzhen Bay Control Point, and about 9 kilograms of incense tree (Aquilaria sinensis) wood chips was seized from his backpack on March 13, 2023. The estimated market value of the incense wood chips was about $1,350,000.
Upon investigation by the AFCD, the man was charged with illegally exporting endangered species under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (PESAPO) (Cap. 586). The AFCD also applied to the court for an increased sentence under the Organized and Serious Crime Ordinance (OSCO) (Cap. 455). He was convicted at the court today. The court set 36-month imprisonment as the starting point for sentencing with 12 months’ reduction for his guilty plea. The AFCD applied to raise the sentence by 25 per cent in accordance with OSCO. The defendant was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for 30 months.
This is the first time for the AFCD to apply for an enhanced sentence under OSCO for a relevant offence under PESAPO since the inclusion of certain offences under PESAPO to Schedule 1 of OSCO since August 2021.
All Aquilaria species, including the native incense tree, are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and are regulated under PESAPO in Hong Kong.
According to PESAPO, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
The spokesman also pointed out that according to the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96), felling of trees on government land without permission is an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for one year.
The spokesman appealed to the public not to smuggle agarwood or fell incense trees illegally. To enquire about the importation or exportation of endangered species and to report suspected illegal cases, the public can call the AFCD at 1823 or visit the website www.cites.hk.
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
To welcome the Year of the Dragon and be in complement of the Government’s Day and Night Vibes campaign and encouragement of local consumption, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has put up festive New Year decorations and arranged a series of celebratory events for shoppers to enjoy and help boost the economy.
“The HA strives to provide a variety of programmes in its shopping centres to enhance the shopping ambience and increase patronage. For the coming Lunar New Year, there will be celebratory events in a number of our shopping malls. At the HA’s regional shopping centre, Domain, in Yau Tong, we have put up festive decorations under the theme of “Blossoming Love” and have organised a series of festive events and programmes to encourage local spending and provide a joyful shopping experience so that customers may shop and at the same time enjoy the various exciting events or programmes,” a spokesman for the HA said today (February 2).
At Domain, there are plenty of festive decorations featuring blooming blossoms and their reflections in mirrors. Highlights include a 5-metre-long blossom mirror walk and a 4m-tall real peach tree with blossoms at the G/F atrium, symbolising prosperity for the new year. In addition, there are decorations of floral lucky draw sticks, floral charms of fortune and blooming blossoms offering visitors, their friends and family members photo-shooting spots.
To encourage local spending and enhance patronage, Domain will hold a Lunar New Year Fair at its open plaza from February 3 to 9. There will be about a dozen stalls including some run by primary and secondary school students in the neighbourhood. In addition, on every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday from February 3 to 25, Domain will launch the Super Lucky Day・Instant Draw. Customers who have completed their membership registration via the Domain Club mobile application may participate in the scratch card reward activity subject to spending requirements, and participants may have a chance to win cash coupons from Domain or the shops in Domain. During the same period, other fantastic programmes will include parades of the God of Wealth, Valentine’s Day promotions, lion dances, game booths and festive workshops, etc.
In addition, Domain will launch a special shopping reward programme, the Being・Well bonus points reward from February 7 to 18. Domain Club members may earn bonus points at designated time slots upon spending, and may redeem e-coupons or selected gifts with points. Details are available on the website of Domain and the Domain Club mobile application.
To boost local spending and to provide a free platform for youngsters to show their talent, the HA has organised the “Dream On Stage” competition for young people, with the preliminary rounds to be held at Wah Fu Shopping Centre, Queens Hill Shopping Centre and Ching Long Estate Podium Landscape Courtyard on February 3, 4, and 13 respectively. Finalists will participate in the “Dream On Stage” final competition to be held at Domain on February 17 to win attractive prizes.
As for the HA’s other shopping centres, there will be parades of the God of Wealth and lion dance performances on February 17 and 18 as follows:
February 17 (Saturday)
