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 April 25 to noon today (April 26), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 190 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 46 052 samples of food imported from Japan (including 30 095 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 12 184 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     â€‹The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene today (April 26) cancelled the licence of a food factory in Sham Shui Po, as the licensee repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally. The premises concerned have had to cease operation with immediate effect.
      
     The premises are located at Shop C2 on the ground floor of 353-357 Un Chau Street in Cheung Sha Wan.
      
     "Four convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the shop licensee between November last year and January this year. A total fine of $8,600 was levied by the court and 90 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the cancellation of the licence," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
      
     The licensee concerned had a record of two convictions for the same offence in August and October last year. A total fine of $4,800 was levied and 30 demerit points were also registered, resulting in a seven-day licence suspension this February.
      
     The spokesman reminded the licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR and other relevant regulations, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
      
     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit its licence and a sign at a conspicuous place of the premises, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/licence-foodPremises-search.html).

     Ten red tides have been sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (April 26).

     On April 21, staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) spotted the first red tide at Silverstrand Beach, Sai Kung. On April 24, LCSD staff spotted five red tides at South Bay Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach, Repulse Bay Beach and Deep Water Bay Beach on Hong Kong Island respectively. On the same day, staff of the Marine Department spotted two red tides at Stanley Bay and Repulse Bay respectively. Members of the public also spotted two red tides at eastern waters of Hong Kong (near Wang Chau and Basalt Island) and Clear Water Bay to Joss House Bay respectively.

     The red tides at South Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, Stanley Bay, Repulse Bay and Clear Water Bay to Joss House Bay still persist, while the other five red tides have dissipated. No associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

     A spokesman for the working group said, "The above red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic."

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Leung Shuen Wan, Tiu Cham Wan, Po Toi O, Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Po Toi and Tung Lung Chau fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

     â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and the Law Society of Hong Kong jointly held a networking luncheon in Tokyo, Japan, today (April 26) to promote Hong Kong's advantages as a global business partner and the strategic role of Hong Kong's legal system and services in international business.
      
     Speaking at the luncheon, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, pointed out that Hong Kong's common law-based legal system is internationally recognised for its transparency, robustness and reliability, which are critical in maintaining a stable and prosperous environment for business. 
      
     "Coupled with the efforts of the Government in keeping the statutory law clear and up-to-date, our legal system can cater for and adapt to any challenges in the ever-changing business landscape, thereby maintaining Hong Kong as a stable and favourable destination for international enterprises," she said.
      
     She also noted that Hong Kong as a legal hub is supported by a wide range of expertise and experience in its legal services, as well as the presence of prominent legal and dispute resolution-related organisations and international bodies.
      
     "Our capability in handling complex international legal matters further consolidates our role as a gateway for businesses looking to expand into Mainland China and other emerging markets," she said.
      
     With the theme "Developing Global Business in Hong Kong from the Legal Perspective", the luncheon was attended by a good mix of business leaders and legal practitioners in Japan, as well as representatives of the Law Society of Hong Kong who are visiting Tokyo to attend the 32nd Inter-Pacific Bar Association Annual Meeting and Conference.

        

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (April 26) gazetted a notice to invite tenders for the contract for Kwu Tung North New Development Area, Remaining Phase: Improvement Works of Tai Tau Leng Roundabout and Po Shek Wu Road and Associated Works (Contract No. ND/2024/04). The closing time for the tender is noon on July 5.

     The works mainly include:

• widening of Fanling Highway (Tsung Pak Long to Tai Tau Leng Roundabout Portion);
• modification of Tsung Pak Long local road;
• construction of a footbridge across Fanling Highway (Tsung Pak Long Portion);
• construction of Po Shek Wu Road Flyover connected to Fanling Highway westbound;
• road improvements at Tai Tau Leng Roundabout and Po Shek Wu Road;
• extension of existing subways Nos. NS201 and NS201A;
• construction of a footbridge and cycle track at Po Shek Wu Road across MTR East Rail Line;
• construction of associated works including water mains, drainage and sewerage works, roadworks, cycle tracks, footpaths, box culverts, junction improvement works, slope works, retaining walls, street furniture, landscaping works, electrical and mechanical works and other ancillary works; and
• implementation of environmental mitigation measures (including noise enclosures, noise barriers and low-noise road surfacing) and environmental monitoring works for the works mentioned above.

     The works are scheduled to commence in October 2024 and will take about 67 months to complete.

     The CEDD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors can obtain the forms of tender and further particulars from the company at 12/F, Tower 2, Grand Central Plaza, 138 Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Sha Tin.

     Details of the tender notice are available at the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html). For enquiries, please call AECOM Asia Company Limited at 3922 9000 during office hours.