Dr. David Sun Tak-kei Appointed Chairman of Accounting and Financial Reporting Council for 2025-2026 Term.

Appointment of Chairman of AFRC

The Government announced today (November 8) that the Chief Executive (CE) has, pursuant to the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (Cap. 588), appointed Dr David Sun Tak-kei as the Chairman of the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) for a term of two years from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026.

Dr Sun was the Director of Audit between 2012 and 2018, prior to which he was President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) and Chairman of an international audit firm.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "Dr Sun is an esteemed accounting veteran with abundant experience in, inter alia, public administration, the financial markets, and the audit profession. He is committed to public service and commands respect from the accounting sector. I look forward to the AFRC's continued efforts under the leadership of Dr Sun in regulating local financial reporting and driving the development of accounting profession, thereby contributing to the further development of the financial markets and corporate governance in Hong Kong."

On the retirement of Dr Kelvin Wong Tin-yau as the Chairman of the AFRC by the end of the year, Mr Chan added, "During his tenure as the AFRC Chairman, Dr Wong has made remarkable contributions, including leading the AFRC in the smooth implementation of the accounting and audit regulatory reforms, bringing our regulatory regime in line with international developments in an orderly manner. I would like to thank Dr Wong for his endeavours and contributions over the years."

Upon the commencement of the new regulatory regime of the accounting profession on October 1, 2022, the AFRC has become a full-fledged regulatory and oversight body of the accounting profession with expanded statutory functions of, inter alia, registration, inspection, investigation and discipline. It is also responsible for promoting and supporting the development of the accounting profession, as well as overseeing the HKICPA's performance of various statutory professional functions.

Grading of beach water quality released

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 8) released the latest grading of water quality for 11 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming in November.

Eleven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).

Grade 1 beaches are:

Big Wave Bay Beach

Middle Bay Beach

Casam Beach

Repulse Bay Beach

Clear Water Bay Second Beach

Silver Mine Bay Beach

Deep Water Bay Beach

Silverstrand Beach

Golden Beach

Stanley Main Beach

Lido Beach

Compared with the grading released last week, Casam Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach and Silverstrand Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1.

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, an 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 EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).