Ms Linda Lam Mei-sau will assume the office of the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission tomorrow (April 11), succeeding Mr Ricky Chu Man-kin.

     Ms Lam today (April 10) took an oath, which was administered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and swore that she will uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), bear allegiance to the HKSAR of the PRC and serve the HKSAR conscientiously, dutifully, in full accordance with the law, honestly and with integrity.  

     A Government spokesperson said, "The new Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission took the oath to uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the HKSAR, thereby embodying the principle and responsibility of 'patriots administering Hong Kong'."

  

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 10) conducted open balloting for the applications for rental of market stalls in the FEHD Skylight Market in Tin Shui Wai, and the ballot results have been released.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The rental of two stalls in the Skylight Market was open for application. A total of 123 eligible applications were received. Ballots were drawn today to determine the priority order of eligible applicants in selecting a market stall for rental."

     The ballot results have been uploaded to the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk) for viewing by applicants. Applicants can also visit the Yuen Long District Environmental Hygiene Office from tomorrow (April 11) or call the hotline at 2475 3433 to check the results. The FEHD will also notify all eligible applicants by SMS and mail of their priority number and later issue letters to invite successful applicants for stall selections and signing of the Licence Agreement according to their priority.

     The Hong Kong 2024 International Urban Forestry Conference, organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB), opened today (April 10) and will be held for three consecutive days at the Hong Kong Science Park.
      
     Under the theme "Green Metropolis – The Crucial Role of Urban Forests for a Sustainable Future", the conference offers a platform for international experts and greening and landscape industry practitioners to exchange views, and examine various related matters. About 20 speakers from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas will share their insights on five key topics, namely International Horizon of Urban Forestry, Synergising Urban Forests in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Crafting Sustainable Urban Forests – Landscape Planning and Design, Building Sustainable Urban Forests with the Community, and Nurturing Sustainable Urban Forests – Talents, Technology and Management. Site visits and sharing sessions will also be arranged for participants to learn about urban forestry.
      
     In his opening address, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, said that in the course of dealing with the many challenges in the development of a dense, compact city, including overcoming housing and infrastructural challenges, the greening and landscaping aspects have never been overlooked in Hong Kong. Throughout the years, the Government has stipulated planning and design requirements for the provision of parks and open spaces, and planting requirements in construction projects.  
      
     Mr Wong also mentioned a study sponsorship scheme and a trainee programme for the development of local talent were rolled out by the Government under the Urban Forestry Support Fund in 2020. The scheme and the programme have encouraging and promising results. He further said he is confident that the initiatives would continue to be instrumental in building a quality workforce in Hong Kong to support urban forestry work.
      
     The conference is co-organised by the Construction Industry Council, the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong, and supported by various government departments, green organisations as well as education and professional institutes. The conference has attracted about 800 participants to attend on-site. Live streaming is also available online (hk2024iufc.com/iufc/home).
      
     Also attending the conference was the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn.

      

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

     Following the launch of the Anti-Scam Consumer Protection Charter last year, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (April 10), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB), the launch of the Anti-Scam Consumer Protection Charter 2.0 (the Charter 2.0). With the participation of more institutions and merchants, the expanded coverage of the Charter will further assist the public in guarding against credit card scams and other digital frauds.
      
     Over 230 financial institutions and merchant institutions participate in the Charter 2.0 (see Annex 1), covering different aspects of the public's daily lives, including banking, insurance, mandatory provident fund (MPF), securities and futures industries, food and beverage, logistics, transport, travel, and retail sectors (see Annex 2). The Charter 2.0 has received full support from the Airport Authority, the Consumer Council, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Insurance Authority, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, and the Travel Industry Authority.
      
     The Charter 2.0 focuses on four key principles to assist the public in identifying credit card scams and other digital frauds as well as guarding against phishing messages purportedly to be sent by financial institutions and merchant institutions. Participating institutions commit not to send any instant electronic messages to customers with embedded hyperlinks to acquire bank, credit card, investment, insurance and MPF account or other key personal information online, and to convey anti-scam education messages.
      
     The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "We are very pleased that the Anti-Scam Consumer Protection Charter launched last year received support and positive feedback from the community. This year, we have taken another step in launching the Charter 2.0 and inviting more financial institutions and merchants from various sectors to participate, enhancing the strength and effectiveness of public protection through concerted efforts. As the Charter expands to cover a wider range of aspects of people's daily lives, we hope to enhance the public's ability to guard against scams through a multi-pronged approach in conjunction with various anti-scam measures of the HKMA."
      
     During the event, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Arthur Yuen, along with representatives of the HKAB and supporting organisations, shared the latest landscape of scam activities and the measures implemented by institutions to prevent scams, reflecting the efforts of various sectors in tackling the modus operandi of scams to protect the public from falling prey to them. The HKMA once again reminds the public not to click on links indiscriminately, and to exercise caution when handling any suspicious links.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 is 105.4 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).