A man who went missing in Kwai Chung has been located.

     Fan Wai-fu, aged 85, went missing after he left his residence in Kwai Chung Estate on December 10 morning. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man returned to his residence on the next day. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 13) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (December 13) a plan to suitably increase the issuance size of Exchange Fund Bills to meet the ongoing demand for Exchange Fund paper by banks amidst the abundance of liquidity in the banking system.
      
     The HKMA plans to increase the issuance size of 91-day Exchange Fund Bills by HK$5,000 million in each of the eight regular tenders on January 4, 11, 18, 25 and 31 and February 8, 15 and 22, 2022. If all the eight planned increases are executed, the issuance size of the Bills will be increased by HK$40,000 million in total.  The HKMA will continue to monitor market situations, and reserves the flexibility of adjusting or not executing the aforesaid eight increases.
      
     The increase in the supply of Exchange Fund Bills is consistent with Currency Board principles, since the additional issuance simply represents a change in the composition of the Monetary Base, with a shift from the Aggregate Balance to Exchange Fund paper.  The Aggregate Balance will decrease by the same amount as the increase in Exchange Fund Bills.  The Monetary Base remains fully backed by foreign exchange reserves.
      
     Following the established practice, information about the issuance size of the Exchange Fund Paper and changes in the Aggregate Balance will be updated and published regularly on the HKMA website and the dedicated pages on Refinitiv and Bloomberg.
      
     The updated tentative issuance schedule for Exchange Fund Bills and Notes is at Annex.

     The 2021 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election will be held this Sunday (December 19). The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, issued an email today (December 13) to colleagues in the Security Bureau and members of disciplined services departments, appealing them to cast votes on the polling day by exercising their civil rights to elect capable LegCo members. The heads of six disciplined services departments under the Security Bureau (SB) also reminded their colleagues to vote.
 
     "This is the first LegCo election after improving the electoral system and implementing 'patriots administering Hong Kong'. Members of the public are expecting the new-term of the LegCo to function effectively and serve diligently for the good of the people. Voting is not only a civil right every eligible elector enjoys, but also a responsibility every citizen who loves Hong Kong should shoulder. As public officers, as core members of the Government, we are obliged to take practical action to support this election," Mr Tang said.
 
     He appealed to colleagues to not only vote, but also encourage their families and friends to support this significant election, using their votes to elect representatives in the LegCo to lay a solid foundation for the implementation of 'patriots administering Hong Kong', thereby contributing to the future development of the city.
 
     Since this election is of large scale, Mr Tang emphasised that the SB and its disciplined services departments had geared up to ensure the election could be conducted in a safe and orderly manner without any disturbance.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority closely monitors the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.