The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 is 109.2 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     In response to media enquiries about a former staff member of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) being charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption with alleged bribery and misconduct in public office, a Government spokesman said the following today (March 25):
 
     The integrity and credibility of the HKEX's initial public offering (IPO) vetting process is of utmost importance to the reputation of Hong Kong as a leading international financial centre. The Government has zero tolerance for bribery and corruption. We are very concerned about the case. We spare no effort in safeguarding the integrity and robustness of our IPO vetting process.
 
     As the case is now under criminal proceedings, the Government will not comment on the specifics of the case.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, at a media session before attending the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting today (March 25):
 
Reporter: Why are you saying that if this sum is not passed by today, the Government's fight against the coronavirus will be affected? Second, many lawmakers have pointed out that during these critical two weeks, LegCo shouldn't have any meetings at all, so does it make sense to have the meeting today?

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury: Let me take the second question first. The question was, during this particular critical period with the coronavirus, why do we have this special meeting. The whole point is that, actually, last week when we had the two days of LegCo sitting, the President already emphasised the importance of dealing with this Vote on Account Resolution in order that it would enable the Government to make payments for discharging obligations from the first of April onwards, so that was the critical point. If we do not get it passed this week, then we will have a serious problem of the Government being unable to meet its obligations in terms of payments for services and goods. For that reason, if we have orders for what we call personal protective equipment, like masks, isolation gowns, face shields or protective coveralls, a lot of these would require cash payments or payments immediately upon delivery of the goods, that's why we believe that if the Vote on Account Resolution is not passed this week, there will be a very serious adverse impact on the anti-epidemic work that we undertake. Thank you very much.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (March 25) announced that given the postponement of class resumptions of schools in Hong Kong until further notice owing to the epidemic's development, all aided child care centres will continue service suspensions until further notice. These centres will, depending on the situation, remain open to serve users with special needs. Individual service users who have the need for these services may contact the centres concerned.
 
     To facilitate better preparation by aided child care centres and service users, the SWD will announce the date and arrangements relating to the service resumption of these centres at least three weeks preceding the resumption.
 
     For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline number 2343 2255.

     Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (April).
 
     Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.
 
     Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in April 2020:
 
San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
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Tsing Shan Firing Range
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