Inspection of aquatic products imported from Japan

2024-07-05 16:30 Last Updated At：23:26

Hong kong bans imports from 10 japanese prefectures amid fukushima water discharge, ensures food safety with comprehensive radiological testing

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 July 4 to noon today (July 5), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 225 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 50 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 65 089 samples of food imported from Japan (including 41 907 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 15 692 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

London ETO supports Musicus Society and English Chamber Orchestra's cross-cultural collaboration in UK

2024-07-08 20:10 Last Updated At：20:18

Musicus society's hong kong students shine in london cultural exchange tour with english chamber orchestra, strengthening hk-uk ties

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) supported the Musicus Society's cultural exchange tour in partnership with the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) from July 3 to 9 (London time).The tour featured nine talented Hong Kong students aged 11 to 17 participating in a series of cultural immersion and enrichment activities in London, the United Kingdom (UK). Activities included a joint string ensemble performance with local students and musicians at St Paul's Church, professional training sessions conducted by the ECO, and visits to prestigious music venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal College of Music Museum.

The Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, welcomed the student delegation on July 4. "It is our great pleasure to facilitate Musicus Society's cultural exchange tour in the UK.The tour not only enriches the music education of our young talent but also strengthens cultural ties between Hong Kong and the UK.Such exchanges highlight Hong Kong's unique East-meets-West fusion, showcasing our city's vibrant cultural landscape.With the boundless talent of our home-grown musicians backed by an international network, Hong Kong is poised to emerge as an international cultural exchange centre, a vision supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan," he said.

The highlight of the tour was a public concert held at the historic St Paul's Church at Covent Garden, London, in the evening of July 7.The performance featured a joint string ensemble led by the nine Hong Kong students from the Musicus Society alongside 21 local students and musicians. The audience, consisting of nearly 150 guests, enjoyed a captivating programme with iconic compositions from renowned musicians such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Gustav Holst, as well as the theme music of the Hong Kong movie "In the Mood for Love".

The Musicus Society, formed in 2010, is a registered charity in Hong Kong.The Society's mission is to promote cross-cultural collaboration of music internationally through performances and by nurturing the next generation of talent.