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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced today (September 4 ) that a tender of 20-year Government Bonds (Bonds) through the re-opening of existing 20-year Government Bond issue 20GB4205 under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme will be held on September 13, 2023 (Wednesday), for settlement on September 14, 2023 (Thursday).
      
     An additional amount of HK$0.5 billion of the outstanding 20-year Bonds (issue no. 20GB4205) will be on offer. The Bonds will mature on May 26, 2042 and will carry interest at the rate of 3.30 per cent per annum payable semi-annually in arrears. The Indicative Pricings of the Bonds on September 4, 2023 are 87.48 with an annualised yield of 4.326 per cent.
      
     Under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme, tender is open only to Recognized Dealers which are appointed as Primary Dealers. Anyone wishing to apply for the Bonds on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the current published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk. Each tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof.
      
     Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, the Refinitiv screen (HKGBINDEX), and Bloomberg (GBHK <GO>) not later than 3pm on the tender day.

HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme Tender Information
—————————————————————————————–
     Tender information of re-opening of 20-year Government Bonds under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme:
 

Issue Number	:	20GB4205 (Re-open)
Stock Code	:	4255 (HKGB 3.30 4205)
Tender Date and Time	:	September 13, 2023 (Wednesday) 9.30am to 10.30am
Issue and Settlement Date for Tender Amount	:	September 14, 2023 (Thursday)
Amount on Offer	:	HK$0.5 billion
Maturity	:	20 years
Remaining Maturity	:	Approximately 18.71 years
Maturity Date	:	May 26, 2042
Interest Rate	:	3.30 per cent p.a. payable semi-annually in arrears
Interest Payment Dates	:	November 27, 2023 May 27, 2024 November 26, 2024 May 26, 2025 November 26, 2025 May 26, 2026 November 26, 2026 May 26, 2027 November 26, 2027 May 26, 2028 November 27, 2028 May 28, 2029 November 26, 2029 May 27, 2030 November 26, 2030 May 26, 2031 November 26, 2031 May 26, 2032 November 26, 2032 May 26, 2033 28 November 2033 May 26, 2034 November 27, 2034 May 28, 2035 November 26, 2035 May 26, 2036 November 26, 2036 May 26, 2037 November 26, 2037 May 26, 2038 November 26, 2038 May 26, 2039 November 28, 2039 May 28, 2040 November 26, 2040 May 27, 2041 November 26, 2041 May 26, 2042
Method of Tender	:	Competitive tender
Tender Amount	:	Each competitive tender must be for an amount of HK$50,000 or integral multiples thereof. Any tender applications for the Bonds must be submitted through a Primary Dealer on the current published list.   The accrued interest to be paid by successful bidders on the issue date (September 14, 2023) for the tender amount is HK$488.22 per minimum denomination of HK$50,000.   (The accrued interest to be paid for tender amount exceeding HK$50,000 may not be exactly equal to the figures calculated from the accrued interest per minimum denomination of HK$50,000 due to rounding).
Other Details	:	Please see Information Memorandum available on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk or approach Primary Dealers.
Expected commencement date of dealing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited	:	The tender amount is fully fungible with the existing 20GB4205 (Stock code: 4255) listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

 
     Price/Yield Table of the Government Bonds at tender (for reference only*):
 

Yield-to-Maturity	Price	Yield-to-Maturity	Price
3.326	100.01	4.326	87.47
3.376	99.33	4.376	86.90
3.426	98.66	4.426	86.33
3.476	97.99	4.476	85.77
3.526	97.33	4.526	85.21
3.576	96.67	4.576	84.65
3.626	96.02	4.626	84.10
3.676	95.38	4.676	83.56
3.726	94.74	4.726	83.02
3.776	94.10	4.776	82.48
3.826	93.47	4.826	81.95
3.876	92.85	4.876	81.43
3.926	92.23	4.926	80.90
3.976	91.62	4.976	80.39
4.026	91.01	5.026	79.87
4.076	90.41	5.076	79.36
4.126	89.81	5.126	78.86
4.176	89.22	5.176	78.36
4.226	88.63	5.226	77.86
4.276	88.05	5.276	77.37
4.326	87.47	5.326	76.88

 
* Disclaimer: The information provided here is for reference only. Although extreme care has been taken to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, the HKMA does not warrant that all, or any part of, the information provided is accurate in all respects. You are encouraged to conduct your own enquiries to verify any particular piece of information provided on it. The HKMA shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered as a result of any use or reliance on any of the information provided here. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 4) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
 
     From August 27 to September 2, two community-acquired LD cases were reported:
 

1. A male patient, aged 54 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Wah Shing Building, Sai Wan Ho; and
2. A male patient, aged 80 with good past health, who lives in May Wah House, Hing Wah (I) Estate, Chai Wan.

 
     “Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     As of September 2, 70 LD cases had been reported this year. In 2022 and 2021, there were 80 and 69 cases respectively.
 
     “Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.
 
     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
 
    Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily. 

    
     â€‹â€‹The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes: 

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

    â€‹The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more

     The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) issued a Circular to all civil servants today (September 4), promulgating the streamlined mechanism of retiring officers in the public interest on grounds of persistent sub-standard performance under s… read more

     â€‹The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 18 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (September 4).
 
     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
 
     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Lai Kok Community Hall, Lai Kok Estate
Cheung Sha Wan 

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long

 
    In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more

     Hong Kong Customs conducted a 12-day joint enforcement operation with Mainland and Macao Customs from August 21 to September 1 to combat cross-boundary counterfeiting activities in the three places and with goods destined for overseas countries. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs seized about 23 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $16 million.

     This was the second joint enforcement operation mounted by the three Customs administrations this year, during which inspections of goods across the three places and destined for North America, Europe as well as countries and regions along the Belt and Road had been stepped up, to effectively curb cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities. The suspected counterfeit goods seized by Hong Kong Customs in this joint operation included mobile phones, clothes and footwear.

     Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipping activities vigorously through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

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