Tag Archives: China

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 7) released the latest grading of water quality for six gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.
 
     Six beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
 
 
The Grade 1 beaches are: 

Casam Beach	Golden Beach
Clear Water Bay Second Beach	Lido Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach	Silverstrand Beach

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, there was no change in the grading for these beaches.
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
 
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
 
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD’s website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD’s dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast). read more

     â€‹In response to the United States (US)’s announcement to impose an additional 10 per cent duty on products of Hong Kong, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (February 7) said that the Government has decided to file a complaint regarding the matter with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
      
     The spokesman said, “The US’ measures are grossly inconsistent with the relevant WTO rules and ignore our status as a separate customs territory as stipulated in Article 116 of the Basic Law and recognised by the WTO. The HKSAR Government will formally launch procedures in accordance with the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism against the US’ unreasonable measures to defend our legitimate rights.”
      
     The spokesman reiterated that Hong Kong is a staunch supporter of the rule-based multilateral trading system. The HKSAR Government strongly opposes the US’ measures and urges the US to take immediate actions to rectify its wrongdoing. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, February 7, 2025 is 107.1 (same as yesterday’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 February 6 to noon today (February 7), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 288 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 52 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, 2023, to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 114 103 samples of food imported from Japan (including 74 675 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 26 474 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2025 (February 9) and the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show (February 14 to 16).
      
     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (February 7), “The Hong Kong Marathon is the largest annual long-distance running event in Hong Kong. It has been well-received by the public over the years, attracting up to 74 000 participants this year, including internationally renowned elite runners. As for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, it is a 5-star international jumping competition sanctioned by the Federation Equestrian Internationale. It will be held in Hong Kong for the first time and will feature a world-class horse show, entertainment and a performance. The above two major sports events will stimulate the local economy and enhance Hong Kong’s international image, thereby strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an events capital.”
      
     The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local “national sports associations” and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.
      
     For details of “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk. read more