The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (May 29) announces a new service schedule of the two "Coin Carts" under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of June 25 up to August 26.  The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
 
     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014, the two Coin Carts have completed 19 cycles of serving the 18 districts on April 15, 2018.  The Carts had carried out 424 000 transactions, collecting 354 million coins with a total face value of HK$476 million during the period.  The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.

     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians.  Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts' own stand-by generators.  This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.

     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis.  Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart.  Service hours are from 10am to 7pm.  Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance.  An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use.  Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus O! ePay, Tap&Go, TNG Wallet and WeChat Pay).  There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle.  The coin collection service is free of charge.

     The HKMA will review the Programme from time and time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.

     The self-service library station located at the Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area will suspend services from 10am to 6pm on June 5 for system maintenance work, a Leisure and Cultural Services Department spokesman announced today (May 29).

     Readers are welcome to use other public libraries to borrow or return library materials or settle payment of fines and library charges during the service suspension period. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hk.

     An exhibition entitled "Photo Exhibition Celebrating Thirty Years of China's World Cultural Heritage" will open tomorrow (May 30) at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. The exhibition will introduce China's world heritage sites which have been inscribed on the World Heritage List through valuable photos, enabling visitors to learn about the sites' cultural value.
      
     In 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization adopted the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The aim of the Convention was to protect cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value. China has been one of the State Parties of the Convention since 1985. China has had 52 items inscribed on the World Heritage List over the past 30 years, starting with the inclusion of its first batch of six heritage sites on the List in 1987, and these have included 36 items of cultural heritage and four items of mixed cultural and natural heritage.
      
     The exhibition will showcase these items of cultural heritage and mixed cultural and natural heritage, such as the Great Wall, Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties in Beijing, Mogao Caves, Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains, Old Town of Lijiang, Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun, Longmen Grottoes, Fujian Tulou, Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces and Kulangsu – a Historic International Settlement, featuring heritage sites, architectural clusters, cultural landscapes and historic towns and cities.
      
     Officiating at the opening ceremony today (May 29) were the Deputy Director General of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Mr Liu Shuguang; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Commissioner for Heritage of the Development Bureau, Mr Jose Yam; and the Executive Secretary of the Antiquities and Monuments Office, Ms Susanna Siu.
      
     The exhibition, which has free admission and will run until August 12, is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Chinese National Committee for the International Council on Monuments and Sites, and organised by the Antiquities and Monuments Office. For details of the exhibition, please visit the Antiquities and Monuments Office's website at www.amo.gov.hk, or call 2208 4400.
      
     The Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is located in Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

      

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 29) announced that the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for April rose to 1 per cent from 0.1 per cent in March, indicating that the infestation of Aedes albopictus in the areas surveyed was not extensive. Nevertheless, the FEHD reminded the public to carry out effective prevention and control measures against mosquitoes as the summer weather is favourable for mosquito breeding within a short period of time.
      
     Among the 52 areas surveyed, positive ovitrap indices were recorded in 15 areas, ranging from 1.5 per cent to 9.8 per cent, with the highest in Tseung Kwan O North. As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for April rose to 0.1 per cent from zero in March.
      
     "Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) and Zika virus. In view of the fact that Hong Kong recorded a confirmed local DF case, five local Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases and one imported case of Zika Virus Infection last year and DF is still highly prevalent in neighbouring areas, and that with the advent of summer, the hot and rainy weather is favourable for proliferation of mosquitoes, the community must work with the Government to continue to carry out effective mosquito control measures," an FEHD spokesman said.
      
     "The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue to intensify their mosquito prevention and control work covering areas under their purview, and strengthen publicity and education campaigns. The FEHD will conduct a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The second phase of the territory-wide campaign, lasting for 10 weeks, was launched on April 23 and will end on June 29. During this period, mosquito prevention and control work is being enhanced by the FEHD and relevant government departments. The district offices of the FEHD have targeted areas which have drawn particular concern, such as public markets, cooked food centres and hawker bazaars, single-block buildings, streets and back lanes, common parts of buildings, village houses, construction sites, vacant sites and road works sites, and intensified mosquito prevention and control work at those places. The FEHD will, immediately after each phase of the campaign, conduct special territory-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control operations so as to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign," he added.
      
     The spokesman said that the FEHD had set up four Pest Control Inspection Teams in May last year to step up inspection of construction sites and enforcement action against mosquito breeding. This year (as at May 11), the FEHD had instituted 34 prosecutions for mosquito breeding found in relevant premises under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), with all cases involving construction sites.
      
     As Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, the spokesman reminded members of the public to inspect their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, scrub vases and pot plant saucers at least once a week, properly dispose of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drill large holes in unused tyres. He also advised the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent puddles from forming. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
      
     In addition, rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are the natural habitats for mosquitoes, other insects and animals. Members of the public living in rural areas may install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary. Those staying in the natural environment should follow appropriate personal protective measures against mosquitoes, such as avoiding staying in the vicinity of shrubby areas for a long time, wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and applying DEET-containing insect repellent. Members of the public are reminded to make reports to the government departments via 1823 if mosquito problems are detected.
      
     The spokesman reiterated that effective mosquito control requires the sustained effort of all parties concerned. The community must work together with the Government to carry out effective mosquito control measures.
      
     The ovitrap index is divided into four levels, reflecting the infestation level of Aedes albopictus. Level 1 (< 5 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is not extensive in the area surveyed. Level 2 (5 per cent – < 20 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is slightly more extensive in the area surveyed. Level 3 (20 per cent – < 40 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito exceeds one-fifth of the area surveyed. Level 4 (>/= 40 per cent) indicates that almost half of the surveyed area is infested with the mosquito. The Government will step up the scale of anti-mosquito operations according to the level of infestation as well as reports from front-line staff and the public.
      
     As Aedes albopictus can transmit DF and Zika virus, oviposition traps are set in 52 areas in Hong Kong for monitoring the breeding of Aedes albopictus, which is only one of the mosquito species commonly found in Hong Kong and is active only in the daytime. The index does not capture the activity of Aedes albopictus outside the 52 areas and it also does not measure the prevalence of other kinds of mosquitoes.
      
     The ovitrap indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.
 

     Two recycling sites and a responsible person of another recycling site were convicted for illegal collection, storage and handling of hazardous electronic waste (e-waste), which is classified as chemical waste. They were fined a total of $92,500 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts on May 15 and today (May 29) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) continues to combat illegal handling of hazardous e-waste at recycling sites. EPD staff conducted blitz inspections between last July and October at three open recycling sites in North District, Shan Ha Tsuen and Kung Um Road in Yuen Long in the New Territories. Some 30 bags of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are classified as chemical waste, were found, weighing about 9 tonnes and with a total market value of approximately $0.9 million. Upon in-depth investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the operating companies and responsible persons of these recycling sites.

     The EPD spokesman said, "One of the defendants denied his role as a responsible person of the recycling site. After the court hearing, that defendant was convicted as an on-site responsible person who possesses the chemical waste concerned." The operators and responsible persons of recycling sites should ensure that the collection, storage and handling of chemical wastes at recycling sites comply with the law, otherwise they might be prosecuted, the spokesman added.

     The spokesman said that dismantled or destroyed PCBs, LCD monitors and cathode ray tubes are hazardous e-waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances. They are classified as chemical waste and are regulated under the existing laws on chemical waste disposal. To protect the environment, the EPD is committed to combating the illegal collection, storage and handling of hazardous e-waste by recycling sites, and strictly controls the illegal import and export activities of hazardous waste.

     The EPD reminded the operators of recycling sites to strictly comply with the relevant controls on chemical waste. They should register with the EPD in accordance with the law if they produce chemical waste. Chemical waste must be properly packaged, labelled and stored, as well as collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to licensed chemical waste disposal facilities for disposal. First-time offenders of the above legislations are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.