Child Development Fund projects to launch

The first batch of the Child Development Fund pioneer projects will be launched in the latter half of this year, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said yesterday, adding that non-government organizations are invited to submit proposals.

He said the fund will promote long-term personal development in disadvantaged children, benefiting at least 13,600 youngsters.

The projects will be launched on HK Island, Kowloon East, Kowloon West, the New Territories East, NT West, Tin Shui Wai and Tung Chung.

Transparency key to linked rate's success

HK's linked exchange rate system has worked well as it is rule-based and transparent, Monetary Authority Chief Executive Joseph Yam says.

In his Viewpoint column, he says HK has a rule-based monetary system to achieve exchange-rate stability through passive foreign-exchange market operations at pre-determined exchange-rate levels. This has ensured the money-market effects of the operations are not sterilized so the necessary interest-rate adjustments to stabilize the exchange rate can take effect when it comes under pressure.

Police investigate

Kwai Chung death

Police are investigating the death of a 32-year-old woman in Kwai Chung.

About 7pm Wednesday, a flat owner in Kwai Fung House called the police after noticing an odd smell coming from a room in the flat when no one answered the door.

Firefighters broke into the room and found a woman lying unconscious on the floor with a curtain tied around her neck.

Ambulancemen certified her dead at the scene.

No injury was found on the woman, who was a tenant in the flat.

International Arts Carnical to launch July 11

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department will present the annual International Arts Carnival July 11 to August 17, featuring more than 380 events for family enjoyment by 15 overseas and 28 local performing groups.

They include physical theater, music, black-light theater, dance, musical, drama, juggling, puppetry and mask theater.

The Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong will present "Park & Art" to cap the series.

China Daily

(HK Edition 05/23/2008 page1)