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 DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited relating to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.

     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

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 that a tender of 5-year HKD institutional Government Bonds through the re-opening of existing Government Bond (issue number 05GB2912001) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (March 5).
      
     A total of HK$1.5 billion 5-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of HK$9.375 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 6.25. The average price accepted is 99.80, implying an annualised yield of 3.301 per cent.

HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results
 
     Tender results of 5-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

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 that a tender for 20-year HKD institutional Government Bonds (issue number 20GB4503001) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (March 5).

     A total of HK$0.5 billion 20-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of HK$2.248 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 4.50. The average price accepted is 102.44, implying an annualised yield of 3.851 per cent.

HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results
 
     Tender results of 20-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 4) seized 42 suspected scheduled endangered live lizards with an estimated market value of about $210,000 at Hong Kong International Airport.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected an air consignment declared to contain "dehumidifier, air purifier, milk powder" imported from Australia. Upon inspection, the suspected scheduled endangered live lizards were found concealed inside the dehumidifiers, air purifiers and milk powder cans.

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.  
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     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (AHNH) made the following statement today (March 5) regarding an incident of a patient care assistant suspected to have been indecently assaulted:

     A patient care assistant (PCA) was suspected to have been indecently assaulted while performing care procedures for a 73-year-old male patient in a medical ward yesterday afternoon (March 4). Upon receiving the report from the PCA, the hospital reported the incident to the Police immediately. A man was subsequently arrested by the Police in the ward.

     AHNH is highly concerned about the incident. The hospital strongly condemns the suspected indecent acts against its staff, resolutely adopts a zero-tolerance attitude towards this incident, and will follow up seriously while fully co-operating with the Police's investigation. The hospital has expressed sympathy and provided support to the PCA concerned.

     The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.