The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, held a press conference today (May 15). Following is Mr Yeung's opening remarks:
 
     The Government is gravely concerned about the public concerns regarding the HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) History Examination question on the history of China and Japan in the first half of the 20th century. In response to the incident, the EDB (Education Bureau) will take the following actions:
 
(1) Next Monday, the EDB will assign a team of colleagues who are familiar with the curriculum and quality assessment to visit the HKEAA (Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority) to investigate the question setting, vetting and approval mechanism under the HKDSE and whether the mechanism has been strictly complied with during the preparation of the examination paper of the History Examination.
 
(2) We will request the HKEAA to invalidate the examination question concerned and make appropriate adjustments to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of the History Examination.
 
(3) Although the HKEAA is empowered to plan and conduct the HKDSE, in view of the recent incident, which has aroused public concerns, the EDB will review the existing mechanism and fulfil its role of monitoring the conduct of the HKDSE to ensure the quality of the Examination and the examination papers.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the opening remarks.)

     The Government today (May 15) announced the re-appointment of 21 incumbent non-official members to the Commission on Children for a term of two years with effect from June 1, 2020.
 
     The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairperson of the Commission, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said, "Coming from different sectors, the re-appointed members include experts and stakeholders on children's growth and development who have rich experience in their professions and community services. I hope that they will continue to offer valuable advice on the work of the Commission and join forces with the Government in the promotion of children's growth and development in Hong Kong."
 
     The Commission on Children, chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, is a high-level committee established in 2018 with wide participation of senior officials from various policy bureaux/departments as well as representatives from different sectors of the community. Apart from focusing on addressing children's issues as they grow up, the Commission monitors the progress of bureaux/departments in taking forward various children-related policy initiatives and their effectiveness.
 
     The membership list of the Commission with effect from June 1, 2020, is as follows:
 
Chairperson
————-
Chief Secretary for Administration

Vice-chairperson
——————
Secretary for Labour and Welfare

Non-official Members
———————-
Mr Peter Au Yeung Wai-hong
Miss Bakar Fariha Salma Deiya
Miss Cheng Hui-kiu
Ms Janus Cheng
Mr Chow Wai-chung
Ms Kathy Chung Lai-kam
Mr Dennis Ho Chi-kuen
Dr Patrick Ip
Dr Sanly Kam Shau-wan
Mr Edwin Lee
Mrs Priscilla Lui Tsang Sun-kai
Ms Shalini Mahtani
Mr Kenny Ng Kwan-lim
Dr Halina Poon Suk-han
Ms Susan So Suk-yin
Ms Michelle Tam Chi-yun
Dr Sandra Tsang Kit-man
Mr Gary Wong Chi-him
Dr Lilian Wong Hiu-lei
Ms Kathy Wong Kin-ho
Dr Wong Kwai-yau
 
Ex-officio Members
——————–
Secretary for Education
Secretary for Food and Health
Secretary for Home Affairs
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Director of Social Welfare
Director of Health
Director of Home Affairs
Chairperson of Family Council
Chairperson of Women's Commission

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (May 15) the progress made in its handling of banking complaints received as at end-April 2020.  Banking complaints include cases concerning general banking services and conduct-related issues.
 
     In April 2020, 207 cases were received and the handling of 131 cases was completed. As at end-April, the handling of 518 cases was in progress. 
 
     A table summarising the progress made in the handling of banking complaints by the HKMA is attached.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: 
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published today the credit card lending survey results for the first quarter of 2020.
      
     Total card receivables dropped by 10.0 per cent in the first quarter to HK$123.9 billion at end-March 2020, in part due to lower card usage after the passing of the festive and tax payment season and in part reflecting a decline in consumer activities amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
      
     The combined delinquent and rescheduled ratio rose to 0.43 per cent at end-March 2020 from 0.33 per cent at the previous quarter-end. This level is still low by historical standards.
      
     The quarterly charge-off ratio edged up to 0.42 per cent from 0.41 per cent in the previous quarter.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued today (May 15) a tentative issuance schedule for Exchange Fund Bills and Notes (EFBNs) for the coming quarter of July to September 2020. The schedule contains information on the tentative tender dates, tender sizes and issue dates of individual issues, representing rollover of maturing issues and taking into account planned adjustments to the maturity spectrum of the EFBNs portfolio.
 
     The quarterly schedule is issued in the second month of each quarter (i.e. February, May, August and November), covering the EFBNs tenders in the following quarter.
 
     It should be noted that the tender dates, tender sizes and issue dates projected in the advance issuance schedule are tentative. The details of new issues of Exchange Fund Bills are to be confirmed and announced at least four business days prior to the respective tender dates. The details of new issues of Exchange Fund Notes are to be confirmed and announced seven business days prior to their respective tender dates. The HKMA may make changes in the light of prevailing market conditions.