The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, January 22, 2024 is 104.9 (same as last Saturday’s index).
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, January 20, 2024 was 104.9 (same as last Friday’s index). read more
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 January 19 to noon today (January 22), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 258 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).
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 26 487 samples of food imported from Japan (including 17 665 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 7 518 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more
The Government today (January 22) announced the appointment of the following members to the newly established Tourism Strategy Committee for the period from January 22, 2024, to December 31, 2025:
Professor Kaye Chon
Mrs Gianna Hsu Wong Mei-lun
Mr Ronald Lam Siu-por
Mr Simon Lee Siu-po
Mr Dominic Lee Tsz-king
Mr Jonathan Leung Chun
Mr Ma Ho-fai
Mr Michael Moriarty
Mr Wilfred Ng Sau-kei
Dr Pang Yiu-kai
Mr Paul Tse Wai-chun
Mrs Annie Tse Yau On-yee
Mr Peter Wong Chak-fung
Mr James Wong Cheuk-on
Mr Ivan Wong Chi-fai
Ms Belinda Yeung Bik-yiu
Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing
Mr Yiu Pak-leung
Dr Allan Zeman
Chaired by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Committee is tasked to provide the Government with strategic advice and foster collaboration among different stakeholders in tourism and other related sectors for promoting the long-term and sustainable development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry.
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, welcomed prominent figures and key leaders from the tourism and other related sectors to join the Committee to render strategic advice on the further development of the tourism industry, “I look forward to working closely with members of the Committee and joining hands with them to enhance the speed and quality of the development of Hong Kong’s tourism industry and foster synergy between tourism and other related sectors.” read more
​The Department of Health (DH) today (January 22) announced that all services provided at Shek Kip Mei Chest Clinic (SKMCC), located at 2 Berwick Street, Shek Kip Mei, will be suspended from January 27 to tie in with rel… read more
​The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) launched a special edition of the Museum Pass today (January 22) to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with museum lovers. There are two designs for the special edition, including one with the traditional pattern of “Double fire dragons in red” coming from a museum collection, and another with the LCSD’s mascots, “Enggie Pup” and “Artti Kitty”, in new-year costume. The special edition is now available for sale at seven designated LCSD museums (see Note), while stock lasts.
A Museum Pass is valid within 12 months from the date of issue. In addition to enjoying unlimited admission to the fee-charging permanent and special exhibitions of the LCSD museums during the validity period, Museum Pass holders could also join a series of free bespoke programmes, including Members’ Days, Members’ Nights, “Meet the Curators” Lectures, and special workshops or screenings.
Pass holders are also entitled to an array of exclusive fringe benefits, including a 10 per cent discount on purchase of souvenirs and publications produced by the LCSD at its museum gift shops or book shops (except the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum and the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence) and a 10 per cent discount on participation fee when joining museum extension activities solely organised by LCSD museums (e.g. educational programmes). They can also enjoy special offers at designated catering outlets in LCSD museums. Moreover, pass holders could enjoy special offers by LCSD partners, including discount during designated periods in the purchase of the Magic Access of the Hong Kong Disneyland Park and the Adult ticket of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, as well as shopping discount at the CHAT Shop in The Mills.
The annual fee for family pass, individual pass and concessionary pass (full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens aged 60 or above) are $100, $50 and $25 respectively. For details of the Museum Pass and its privilege offers, please visit the website www.museums.gov.hk/en/web/portal/museum-pass.html#.
Note: Seven designated museums under the LCSD include the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum and the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence. read more