In response to media enquiries about the housing development in Fanling Area 17, a spokesman for the Housing Bureau today (June 16) responded as follows:
 
     The Housing Bureau has postponed on a temporary basis the development programme of the public housing project in Fanling Area 17 and adjusted the project's development priority, having regard to the cost-effectiveness of various housing projects under planning. The authority stresses that it has not abandoned the project.
 
     Based on ground investigation, the Housing Department found that the Fanling Area 17 Site has complex geology with a deep bedrock layer. It is anticipated that a longer-than-normal construction period would be required, and the cost of foundation works would be significant. The bedrock level has been found at depths exceeding 80 metres below ground in general, with the deepest recorded at 120m below ground. If the site is to be used for public housing construction, deep foundation work will be involved. Preliminary estimates of the average construction cost per unit will increase by 60 per cent to 90 per cent, and the construction period will be lengthened by at least 10 months.
 
     Upon reviewing different housing construction projects, the Housing Department has decided to prioritise the development of other more cost-effective public housing projects in North District, including the completion of approximately 38 000 public housing units in Fanling, Sheung Shui and Kwu Tung North in the next five years (from 2025-26 to 2029-30). As regards the 8 300 units from the temporary postponement of the Fanling Area 17 public housing development project, apart from the above production in the five-year period, there will be other projects ready for completion in the second five-year period in North District, including 13 000 and 17 000 units in Fanling North and the Kwu Tung North New Development Area respectively. These developments will be expedited in order to maintain the originally scheduled completion date of the 8 300 flats in Fanling Area 17 in 2031/32.
 
     The Housing Bureau reaffirms that the target supply of 308 000 public housing units in the next 10 years remains unchanged. The adjustment in the priority of the development on this occasion will allow the authority to focus resources on developing first the more cost-effective public housing projects in order to provide homes to those in need as soon as possible.

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (June 16) that, due to events in the region, Hongkong Post has suspended all postal services to Israel with immediate effect until further notice.

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, published today (June 16) a revised tentative issuance schedule for institutional Government Bonds (GBs) to be offered under the Infrastructure Bond Programme and Government Sustainable Bond Programme during the period from June to September 2025 (Annex). 
      
     The GBs are denominated in Hong Kong dollars and Renminbi and will be offered by way of competitive tendering. The revised tentative issuance schedule contains information on, among others, the tentative tenors, tender dates, issuance sizes, issue dates and methods of issuance of individual GB issues. Further details are set out in the Information Memorandum published on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, www.hkgb.gov.hk.
      
     The information contained in the revised tentative issuance schedule, such as the tenors, tender dates, issuance sizes, issue dates and methods of issuance are tentative. The HKMA may make further adjustments having regard to market conditions. A further revised issuance schedule may be issued where appropriate. Details of individual issues, including details on the use of proceeds of the bonds, are to be confirmed and announced in the relevant tender notices prior to the scheduled tender dates.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (June 16) reminds the public to remain vigilant against phone scams.

     It has come to the GDETO's attention that fraudsters have recently used a fake caller number display to impersonate GDETO officers to make calls to members of the public.

     Members of the public must at all times remain vigilant and cautious when receiving calls. Instead of simply relying on the incoming caller number display to identify callers, believing callers hastily, or disclosing personal information arbitrarily, members of the public are advised to take the initiative to verify the identities of callers, such as seeking confirmation from the GDETO by phone or email.

     If in doubt, please contact the GDETO at (86 20) 3891 1220 or send an email to the GDETO at general@gdeto.gov.hk.

     Members of the public can also make enquiries and seek assistance from Mainland China's National Anti-Fraud Center at (86) 96110, or Hong Kong Police officers of the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre by calling the 24-hour police enquiry hotline, Anti-Scam Helpline 18222.

     Anyone suspecting a phone scam should immediately report it to the Police.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The People's Bank of China (PBOC) will issue Renminbi Bills through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Please find attached the tender notice and the tender information memorandum of the Renminbi Bills to be issued by the PBOC. Please also find attached the tender-related information provided by the Issuing and Lodging Agent through the HKMA.