Tag Archives: China

     To raise the public’s awareness of the importance of water sport safety, the Marine Department (MD), the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Observatory, the Government Flying Service and the Hong Kong, China Waterski Association co-organised the 2024 Safety Afloat Educational Seminar at the Hong Kong Science Museum today (May 7). Deputy Director of Marine Mr Shi Qiang spoke at the seminar and reminded the public to be well prepared before participating in water sport activities to ensure safety.
 
     The MD reminded coxswains and vessel operators to make appropriate preparations before setting sail for water sport activities. They should plan their voyages and consider whether the vessel’s structure is suitable for the water area and the activity to be conducted. There should be enough experienced crew members on board to guide passengers to follow safety instructions when engaging in water sport activities. Coxswains and vessel operators should also familiarise themselves with all safety precautions and contingency measures, check the vessel’s structure and its safety equipment on board before setting sail, and know the location of the equipment and how to use it. They should also collect sufficient weather forecast information for the whole voyage and take heed of weather conditions or warnings.
 
     Pleasure vessel operators should navigate carefully when entering shallow waters, speed-restricted zones or waters with others taking part in water sport activities. Vessel operators should strengthen lookouts and take appropriate safety measures to avoid any possible risk if they see other water sport activities nearby.
 
     The MD also reminds the public that they should only hire pleasure vessels endorsed by the MD to be let for hire or carry passengers for reward and check the endorsed list of vessels by scanning the QR code posters displayed in public piers and popular marine tourism spots. TV and radio announcements in the public interest will be broadcast on various platforms to assist the public in identifying endorsed pleasure vessels.
 
     Meanwhile, swimmers should swim at beaches with lifeguards on duty, stay within the bathing beach area and avoid swimming near anchored vessels. They should understand their physical abilities, take care of their children and avoid swimming alone or away from companions. They should also refrain from swimming right after consumption of food, alcohol or drugs. To prevent accidents, divers shall observe relevant guidelines and maintain safety awareness at all times. In particular, while surfacing, divers should pay special attention to the surrounding environment and the movement of vessels in the vicinity. Proper buoyant signals should be displayed.
 
     As the typhoon season is approaching, the MD urges owners, coxswains and persons-in-charge of local vessels, including pleasure vessels, to remain vigilant against the threat of typhoons. Before the onset of a typhoon, appropriate precautionary measures must be taken to ensure the safety of persons on board and vessels.
 
     In order to remind members of the public of water sport safety, pamphlets on “Observing the safety advice, Enjoying the fun at sea” have been produced and distributed to the public to provide safety advice about various water sport activities to prevent accidents. The MD will continue its promotional and educational efforts to enhance the safety awareness of the public.
 
     Officers of the Marine Police and the MD will step up their patrol operations in speed-restricted zones, waters in the vicinity of popular beaches and water sport sites, and will take action against any illegal or reckless boating activities. The LCSD lifeguards will also keep an eye out for boating activities at beaches and the adjacent waters. They will alert officers of the MD and the Marine Police if law enforcement actions against offenders are required.
 
     The MD hopes that the industry and the public will co-operate in promoting water sport safety, so that everyone can enjoy pleasant leisure water sport activities.

    

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (May 7) that the official foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong amounted to US$416.4 billion as at the end of April 2024 (end-March 2024: US$423.5 billion) (Annex).
      
     There were no unsettled foreign exchange contracts at end-April 2024 (end-March 2024: US$0.5 billion).           
 
     The total foreign currency reserve assets of US$416.4 billion represent over five times the currency in circulation or about 39 per cent of Hong Kong dollar M3.

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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS). The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of May 2024, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      Exchange Fund Bills tender results:   Tender date : May 7, 2024 Paper on offer : EF Bills Issue num… read more

     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a depot in Kam Tin yesterday evening (May 6), in which a male worker was struck by some loosened metal boards while assisting in lifting a bundle of the boards. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.

     The LD’s spokesman said, “We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the employer and the occupier of premises concerned, suspending lifting operation at the depot. The employer and the occupier of the premises cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.”

      The spokesman added, “We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation.”

     The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment; or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.

     In regard to yesterday’s accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application “OSH 2.0”, website and by email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers’ unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

     The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees’ compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees’ compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

     For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 is 105.8 (same as yesterday’s index). read more