The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 is 104.6 (up 0.3 against yesterday'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 January 15 to noon today (January 16), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 199 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 25 525 samples of food imported from Japan (including 17 047 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 7 218 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

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

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
*"Pro rata ratio" refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant's tendered amount at the "highest yield accepted" level.

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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning January 22, 2024:
 

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (January 16) that, as advised by the postal administration of Mauritius, due to cyclone, all mail delivery services to Mauritius are subject to delay.

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Management Committee of the Tang Shiu Kin and Ho Tim Charitable Fund (the Fund) today (January 16) hosted a spring reception for the elderly and presented lai see packets to them in celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year. The Director of Social Welfare (DSW), Miss Charmaine Lee, joined the advisors of the Fund, Mr Richard Tang and Mr Hamilton Ho, together with members of the Management Committee at the event to send their warm and sincere regards to the elderly.
      
     Speaking at the reception, Miss Lee said that the Fund, since its inception in 1977, has been committed to providing emergency financial assistance to needy families and individuals to help tide them over difficulties. The Fund granted $1.21 million for 284 approved cases in 2022-23, and approved another 175 applications totaling $0.79 million from April to November 2023. The Fund has approved and earmarked a total sum of $3 million for the SWD to disburse as social relief grants for the coming fiscal year.
      
      She pointed out that the Fund upholds the philanthropic spirit of the two founders, providing not only emergency relief for people in need, but also promoting the venerable tradition of respecting the elderly and helping the disadvantaged. She expressed her sincere gratitude to the Fund. About 40 elderly persons attended the reception today. The Fund has prepared performances as well as a festive lunch to wish the elderly a happy and healthy year ahead.
            
     Miss Lee added that the Government is committed to uniting people and drawing on the efforts of the Government, the business sector, and the community to work together for a better society. The Fund, with a history of 46 years and founded by the late entrepreneur Sir Tang Shiu-kin and the late banker Dr Tim Ho, with the SWD serving as the administrator and approving authority, and participated in by non-governmental organisations the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Po Leung Kuk, is indeed a pioneer in tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community. The annual donations of the Fund have provided emergency financial assistance to individuals or families in need. It also demonstrates the devotion of the business sector to contribute to the community. She hoped that more generous individuals and organisations can join the tripartite collaboration with the Government to help the disadvantaged.
      
     The Fund appointed the DSW Incorporated as the trustee of the Fund in accordance with Chapter 1096 of the Laws of Hong Kong. Members of the Management Committee include descendants of the founders (advisors), prominent members of the community and representatives from relevant government departments, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Po Leung Kuk. The objective is to provide timely financial assistance to needy individuals and families in emergency situations for which other sources may not be applicable or readily available. Recipients of the Fund include the unemployed, victims of disasters, the chronically ill, the disabled, single parent families and the elderly.