The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 10) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
 
     Twenty-one beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 12 as Fair (Grade 2) and seven as Poor (Grade 3).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

 
Grade 3 beaches are:

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Clear Water Bay First Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Anglers' Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 4 to Grade 3.  Repulse Bay Beach and Shek O Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Ting Kau Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
 
     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
 
     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, the 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 Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application (available for download from: www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQApp) or the dedicated beach water quality forecast page (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast) on the EPD's beach thematic website.
 
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 22 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from April 1. Due to the damage caused to the footpaths leading to Chung Hom Kok Beach by landslides, the beach is temporarily closed until further notice. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
 
Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which is a non-gazetted beach that has no lifesaving service.

     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 May 9 to noon today (May 10), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 212 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 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 49 957 samples of food imported from Japan (including 32 429 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 12 886 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, May 10, 2024 is 106 (same as yesterday's index).

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, began his itinerary in Beijing upon arrival yesterday (May 9). He first met with the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, and introduced the latest work of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB). Mr Xia fully recognised the work of the CSTB. He also expressed his hope that Hong Kong's tourism industry will reach new heights on the path to continuous innovation.
      
     Mr Yeung today (May 10) attended the Plaque Unveiling Ceremony for the Palace Museum Hong Kong Cultural Exchange Hub and witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Co-operation on the Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong at the Palace Museum in Beijing.
      
     With the support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), the Palace Museum and the HKJC will jointly carry out the Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland for five years. The programme aims to promote Chinese traditional culture through the integration of arts and technology, deepening the understanding and appreciation of Chinese history and culture among younger generations on the Mainland and Hong Kong. In a bid to strengthen social cohesion and promote Chinese culture to the world, the programme also seeks to enhance the capability building of arts tech professionals, as well as facilitating talent development and exchange among talent in the sector.
      
     Mr Yeung met with the Director General of the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Director of the National Museum of China, Mr Gao Zheng, this afternoon to exchange views and explore co-operation direction on cultural and tourism development. Hong Kong is positioned as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. The CSTB has been integrating into the national development based on the principle of "shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism", with a view to developing Hong Kong into an international tourism hub and a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism.
      
     Mr Yeung said, "The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has long been supportive to the work of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It gives policy support in cultural and tourism development and provides appropriate assistance in programme implementation. I look forward to deepening collaboration and exchange on culture and tourism fronts between the Mainland and Hong Kong through the exchange."
      
     Mr Yeung will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.

        

     Organised by the Education Bureau (EDB), the Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2024 (Info Expo) opened today (May 10) at Rotunda 2 of the Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre. With the participation of around 30 institutions and organisations, latest information on multiple pathways are being provided to senior secondary school students, parents and teachers with a view to better preparing students for further studies and career paths. 

     A spokesperson for the EDB said that with the parallel development of the self-financing and publicly-funded post-secondary education sectors, the Government has long been committed to providing quality, flexible and diversified study pathways with multiple entry and exit points for secondary school graduates.

     In the 2024/25 academic year, it is estimated that there are about 46 900 full-time locally-accredited post-secondary places to be provided by various institutions, comprising about 22 400 undergraduate places and about 24 500 sub-degree places. Some institutions also provide Diploma of Applied Education (DAE) and other programmes. Hence, there will be sufficient places for eligible students to pursue further studies in Hong Kong.

     The opening ceremony of the Info Expo was officiated by the Chairman of the Sub-committee on Support Measures under the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education (CSPE), Ms Carrie Leung, with CSPE members and representatives of self-financing post-secondary institutions and relevant organisations in attendance. 

     The Info Expo provides information on locally-accredited post-secondary programmes (including programmes eligible for government subsidy schemes, vocational and professional education and training programmes and applied degree programmes), DAE programmes, as well as relevant online platforms such as the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes, the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes, the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education, and the Qualifications Framework. There are also more than 10 thematic talks on various programmes, preparation and strategies for articulation to post-secondary education, and experience sharing by post-secondary students. 

     Admission is free for the two-day Info Expo, and prior registration is not required. There are new interactive games at the EDB booth this year. Participants who complete designated tasks will receive a gift while stock lasts. Secondary students, especially current graduates, parents and teachers, are all welcome to participate.

     For details of the Info Expo, please visit the event website (www.cspe.edu.hk/en/Resources-CareerGuidance-MultiplePathwaysExpo.html).