The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 is 106.6 (same as yesterday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited on phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the email concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the email should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in July showed a drop of 675 cases, representing a decrease of 0.3 per cent compared with that of June, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (August 21).

     The total CSSA caseload at the end of July stood at 222 331 (see attached table), with a total of 317 071 recipients.

     Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 1.4 per cent to 3 241 cases. Old age cases dropped by 0.5 per cent to 138 951 cases while single parent cases slipped by 0.2 per cent to 24 246 cases.

     Ill-health cases, permanent disability cases and unemployment cases all increased by 0.2 per cent to 23 314 cases, 16 695 cases and 11 733 cases respectively.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (August 21):
 
Reporter: Will the Central Government’s plan to reposition Shenzhen into an economic hub like Hong Kong … Hong Kong’s advantages in the long term, if yes, how? And did the Central Government really set a deadline for the SAR Government to calm the situation before the National Day?
 
Financial Secretary: I am not aware of any deadline being set for the resolution of the current political difficulties that we are facing.  As to your question about the competition between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, indeed under the Greater Bay Area development, the whole idea is coordinated development among the 11 cities in the region so as to achieve synergy in terms of economic development, so that all the cities can rise together economically. Between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, there are areas for strong complementary development, say for example in the area of innovation and technology. Shenzhen has strengths in terms of manufacturing, supply chain, and the number of leading tech companies there. Hong Kong has the advantages of research capabilities in our universities, as well as our intellectual property protection. So in a nutshell, basically it is up to us to harness these complementary advantages to develop ourselves further. And as an international financial centre, Hong Kong has a few distinct advantages – one is the “one country, two systems” arrangement; the second is the common law system, the rule of law and independent judiciary; and thirdly is the confidence of the international communities in Hong Kong. So I think it is imperative for us to uphold and defend our advantages and make good use of these advantages to achieve greater success. Thank you.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) 
 

  

Attention TV/Radio Announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that the lifesaving services at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District resumed today (August 21). The lifesaving services at the beach were suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty.