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.

———————————————————
     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning December 18, 2023:
 

     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 December 11 to noon today (December 12), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 174 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 19 496 samples of food imported from Japan (including 12 928 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 5 464 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     Hong Kong Customs today (December 12) arrested a saleswoman of a beauty parlour suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices involving misleading omission in the course of selling a beauty treatment, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesperson of a beauty parlour in Causeway Bay, in the course of selling a facial beauty treatment service, was suspected of hiding material information by failing to provide a customer with a sales contract and disclose relevant terms and conditions, which misled the customer to purchase the beauty service. 

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a saleswoman, aged 43, of the beauty parlour concerned.

     An investigation is ongoing and the arrestee has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any trader who engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information or provides material information in a manner that is unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely, and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
 

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

     â€‹Result of the tenders of RMB Sovereign Bonds held on December 12, 2023: 
 

     The Government announced today (December 12) that the Chief Executive has, in accordance with the District Councils Ordinance, appointed 179 persons as members of the seventh-term District Councils (DCs) (2024-27) for a term of office of four years starting from January 1, 2024.
 
     The registration of 27 incumbent Chairmen of Rural Committees as ex officio members has also been confirmed as valid in accordance with the District Councils Ordinance.
 
     To fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and bring the DCs back on track to fulfil their mission to serve the community, the Government has improved governance at the district level and reformed the DCs. The reformed DCs are more broadly represented, comprising appointed members, members returned from the District Committees constituency and District Council geographical constituency elections, and ex officio members, allowing those who love the country and Hong Kong and are committed to serving the community to participate in the work of DCs through multiple channels.
 
     A Government spokesman said, "Under the principle of meritocracy, the Government has appointed 179 persons of high calibre who love our country and Hong Kong to serve as appointed members of the seventh-term DCs having regard to the situations and development needs of individual districts and factors such as community representativeness and ties with local communities. All the 179 appointed members who are dedicated to serving the community will enhance the advisory and service functions of DCs."
 
     The majority of the newly appointed members are young to middle-aged, representing different social strata, sectors and professions, and achieving a balanced and diverse composition in the DCs for the coming term –

     In terms of age, the median age is 47, with about 81 per cent aged between 40 and 64, and about 15 per cent are young people aged below 40. The youngest is 23 years old;
 
     In terms of sectors, they are representatives or members of the industrial and commercial, professional, grassroots and labour sectors, district organisations and etc;
      
     In terms of professions, school principals and teachers, lawyers, healthcare practitioners, social workers, engineering surveyors, accountants, and practitioners in insurance and financial services are covered; and
      
     In districts where there are bigger ethnic-minority communities, representatives of ethnic minorities are appointed to assist the Government in liaising with ethnic minorities and delivering services to them.
 
     The spokesman added, "The District Council Eligibility Review Committee has reviewed and confirmed the eligibility of all appointed members, and the eligibility of Chairmen of the Rural Committees for registration as ex officio members, including their compliance with the legal requirements of upholding the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and bearing allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region."

     The appointments will be published in the Gazette on December 14, 2023. The list of appointed members (in alphabetical order of names) is as follows:
 
Central and Western District
************
Dr Chan Kin-keung, Eugene
Mr Ip Yik-nam
Ms Jin Ling
Mr Lui Hung-pan
Mr Ng Yin
Mr Qiu Songqing
Mr Yip Wing-shing
Mr Young Chit-on, Jeremy
 
Eastern District
************
Ms Chan Hang
Mr Chau Chi-Yan, Benny
Mr Cheng Chi-sing
Ms Ho Sau-yin, Zareenah
Mr Hung Lin-cham
Dr Kwok Ho-king, Calvin
Mr Lam Sum-lim
Mr Lau Hing-yeung
Ms Li Lee
Mr Liang Li
Mr Lu Xiaofeng, Anthony
Mr Ting Wong, Kacee
 
Southern District
************
Mr Chan Man-chun
Professor Chan Yuk-kit
Mr Chu Lap-wai
Ms Ho Ivy Yuen-wei
Ms Lam Yuk-chun
Ms Li Ka-ying
Mr Pang Siu-kei
Mr Yeung Sheung-chun
 
Wan Chai District
************
Dr Chow Kam-wai
Mr Lam Wai-kong
Ms Lau Pui-shan
Mr Sun Tao-hung
 
Kowloon City District
************
Mr Cho Wui-hung
Mr He Huahan
Mr Lai Yin-chung
Mr Lam Tak-shing
Mr Pun Kwok-wah
Dr Rizwan Ullah
Mr Wong Man-kong
Ms Wong Man-lei, Vivian
 
Yau Tsim Mong District
************
Ms Au Chor-kwan
Mr Chan Siu-tong
Mr Chung Chak-fai
Mr Chung Kong-mo
Ms Aruna Gurung
Mr Hui Tak-leung
Ms Wong Shu-ming
Mr Yeung Tsz-hei
 
Sham Shui Po District
************
Mr Chan Wai-ming
Ms Chung Ching-may
Ms Kwok Yin-lai
Mr Lam Ka-fai, Aaron
Ms Lau Pui-yuk
Mr Lee Wing-man
Mr Lo Chi-chiu
Dr Wong Chung-leung
 
Wong Tai Sin District
************
Mr Hung Chor-ying, Edmond
Ms Lau Yuen-yee, Janus
Mr Leung Tang-fung
Mr Dennis Li
Mr Ngai Shi-shing, Godfrey
Ms Tang Man-wai
Mr Yau Yiu-shing
Ms Yew Yat-wa, Deannie
 
Kwun Tong District
************
Mr Chan Yiu-hung, Jimmy
Mr Cheung Ki-tang
Ms Chu Lok-wai
Mr Hsu Yau-wai
Mr Hung Kam-in
Mr Lai Wing-chun
Mr Lam Wai
Mr Lau Kar-wah
Ms Leung Sze-wan
Mr Lin Ho-man
Mr Lui Tung-hai
Mr Ng Sing-wah
Mr Wong Chun-ping
Ms Juliana Yu
Mr Yu Man
Mr Yu Siu-lun
 
Tai Po District
************
Mr Chan Cho-leung
Mr Chan Pok-chi
Mr Chan Tsz-kin
Mr Chan Yung-wa
Mr Lee Hon-cheung
Ms Lee Sai-yin, Jeanne
Mr Mui Ching-hung
Mr Wan Koon-kau
 
Yuen Long District
************
Mr Cham Ka-hung, Daniel
Mr Chan Ka-fai
Mr Cheung Wai-sum
Ms Chiu Sau-han
Mr Chong Kin-shing
Mr Fung Chun-wing
Mr Lam Tim-fook
Mr Lui Kin
Mr Man Ka-ho, Donald
Mr Shum Ho-kit
Mr Tam Tak-hoi
Mr Wong Hiu-shan
Mr Wong Wai-leung
Ms Wong Wai-ling
Mr Wong Wing-ho, Allan
Mr Yu Chung-leung
 
Tuen Mun District
************
Mr Chan Ho-ting, Mac
Mr Chan Kwai-wao
Ms Chan Mang-yi, Vincci
Mr Chan Yau-hoi
Mr Cheng Yin-kwan, Andy
Mr Fung Yuk-fung
Mr Ho Jun-hang, Benton
Ms Mak Mei-yee, Pamela
Mr Mo Shing-fung
Mr Tsang Hing-chung
Mr Tse Wing-hang
Mr Wan Tin-chong
Mr Yip Kat-kong, Kenneth
 
North District
************
Ms Chow Tin-yi, Zinnie
Mr Chu Ho-yin
Mr Chu Wai-lam
Mr Hung Chi-fu, Tommy
Mr Lai Sum
Mr Liu Yu-hin
Mr Tam Chun-kwok
Mr Wan Wo-fai
 
Sai Kung District
************
Mr Chan Kuen-kwan
Mr Cheung Man-tim
Ms Chong Nga-ting
Mr Chong Yuen-tung
Ms Ki Lai-mei
Mr Lam Chun-ka
Ms Li Ka-yan
Mr Wang Wen
Mr Wong Wang-to
Ms Wu Suet-lin
Mr Yau Siu-hung
Ms Natasha Yu
 
Sha Tin District
************
Mr Au Chi-on, Paul
Ms Chan Man-kuen
Ms Chan Sin-ming
Mr Cheng Ka-ho
Mr Deng Kairong
Ms Lam Chung-yan
Dr Lam Kong-kwan
Mr Leung Ka-fai
Mr Liu Tsz-chung, Michael
Ms Pong Scarlett Oi-lan
Mr Pun Kwok-shan
Mr Tsoi Ming-yang
Ms Tung Kin-lei
Mr Wong King
Ms Wong Po-yee
Mr Wong Wai-shing
Mr Wong Yue-hon
 
Tsuen Wan District
************
Mr Chan Hiu-chun
Ms Chan Shun-shun
Ms Cheung Man-ka
Mr Koo Yeung-pong
Dr Leung Cheong-ming, Raymond
Ms Wah Mei-ling
Ms Wong Shuk-fan, Luparker
Mr Wong Wai-kit
 
Kwai Tsing District
************
Mr Au Chi-fai
Ms Chan Oi-yi
Ms Cheng Lam
Mr Chow Kim-ho
Ms Chu Lai-ling
Ms Lam Chui-ling, Nancy
Ms Lau Mei-lo
Ms Leung Kar-ming
Mr Poon Chi-shing
Mr So Pak-tsan
Mr Tsui Hiu-kit
Ms Wang Chung-wing
Mr Yip Cheung-chun
 
Islands District
************
Mr Hui Chun-lung
Ms Lau Suk-han
Mr Ng Choi-wah
Mr Yu Hon-kwan
 
     The list of validly registered persons will be published in the Gazette on December 14, 2023. The list of ex officio members (in alphabetical order of names) is as follows:
 
Tai Po District
************
Mr Lam Yick-kuen
Mr Li Yiu-ban
 
Yuen Long District
************
Mr Ching Chan-ming
Mr Kwok Wing-cheong
Mr Man Luk-sing
Mr Tang Che-keung
Mr Tang Ho-nin
Mr Tang Sin-hang
 
Tuen Mun District
************
Mr Lau Ip-keung, Kenneth
 
North District
************
Mr Chan Yuet-ming
Mr Hau Chi-keung
Mr Lee Koon-hung
Mr Li Kwok-fung
 
Sai Kung District
************
Mr Lau Kai-hong
Mr Wong Shui-sang
 
Sha Tin District
************
Mr Mok Kam-kwai
 
Tsuen Wan District
************
Mr Chan Sung-ip
Mr Yau Kam-ping
 
Kwai Tsing District
************
Mr Chan Chi-wing
 
Islands District
************
Mr Chow Yuk-tong
Mr Ho Chun-fai
Mr Ho Siu-kei
Mr Ng Man-kit
Mr Wan Yeung-kin
Ms Wong Chau-ping
Mr Wong Hon-kuen, Ken
Mr Wong Man-hon