The first meeting of the newly established Common Spatial Data Advisory Committee was held today (October 5). The Committee advises the Government on how best to develop the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI) as a one-stop platform with a wide range of standardised spatial data that will make data sharing easier as well as more accessible and effective when it is in full operation by the end of 2022.
 
     Chaired by the Director of Lands, Mr Andrew Lai, the Committee comprises representatives from various bureaux/departments as well as 24 non-official members from relevant sectors, including the construction industry, geospatial and IT related groups, academics, social/community services, public utilities and transport operators. The members are appointed for a term of three years from October 1 this year to September 30, 2023. 
      
     During today's meeting, members were briefed on the Government's initiatives on the development of the CSDI and the 3D Digital Map in Hong Kong.
            
     Speaking at the meeting, Mr Lai said, "With members' extensive professional expertise and experience, I hope that the Committee will assist the Government in formulating pragmatic measures to take forward the development of the CSDI in support of Hong Kong becoming a world-class smart city."
      
     The membership list of the Committee is as follows:
 
Chairman
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Director of Lands
 
Non-official members nominated by professional/trade organisations
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Mr Paul Chan Chi-fai (Hong Kong Institution of Engineers)
Mr Terence Chan Tak-ming (Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors)
Mr Aaron Chan Wing-kai (Hong Kong Institute of Architects)
Mr Paul Chan Yuen-king (Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects)
Mr Louis Loong Hon-biu (Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong)
Dr Winnie Tang Shuk-ming (Smart City Consortium)
Dr Kenneth Tang Siu-sing (Hong Kong Institute of Planners)
Mr Paul Tsui Hoi-yuen (Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors)
Mr Barry Wilson (Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design)
Mr Rex Wong Siu-han (Hong Kong Construction Association)
Professor Anthony Yeh Gar-on (Hong Kong Geographic Information System Association)
Mr Gary Yeung Man-yui (Internet Professional Association)
 
Non-official members appointed on an ad-personam basis
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Mr Alfred Chan Wing-kin
Mr Chiang Tung-keung
Mr William Chung Chak-man
Ms Susanna Hui Hon-hing
Dr George Lam
Mr Roger Lee Chak-cheong
Mr Ricky Leung Wing-kee
Professor Becky Loo Pui-ying
Mr Timothy Ma Kam-wah
Professor John Shi Wen-zhong
Mr Wai Chi-sing
Mr Albert Wong Hak-keung
 
Official members
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Representatives of the Development Bureau
Representative of the Innovation and Technology Bureau
Representative of the Buildings Department
Representatives of the Lands Department
Representative of the Planning Department

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: 
 
     The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) today (October 5) announced the highlights of its unaudited consolidated financial results for the first six months of 2020 (1H 2020) as follows:
 
2020 half-year unaudited financial results highlights
 
     The unaudited consolidated loss after tax of the HKMC for 1H 2020 was HK$197 million (profit after tax for 1H 2019: HK$247 million). The decrease in profitability was primarily attributable to:
 

1. The booking of increasing upfront commission expenses arising from the significant surge in the volume of new mortgage insurance underwritten in one go whereas premium income was amortised over the life of the respective loans;
2. An increase in accounting loss of HKMC Annuity Limited (HKMCA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the HKMC, as a result of the prudent provisions for its investments and statutory reserves in tandem with the increase in new annuity plans written and annuity payments; and
3. Unfavourable impact by the revaluation of investments that are classified as investment securities at fair value through profit or loss upon the adoption of Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standard 9 "Financial Instruments" since 2018 and the unfavourable revaluation of USD denominated assets due to strength of the HKD versus USD.

 
     Despite the reported accounting loss of the HKMCA, the embedded value of the annuity business as at June 30, 2020 was about HK$5.3 billion, which comprised HK$4.3 billion of total equity and HK$1.0 billion of present value of future profits. This indicates that the annuity business should be sustainable in the long term.
      
     The Capital Adequacy Ratio of the HKMC remained solid at 36.6% as at June 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019: 30.2%), well above the minimum ratio of 8% stipulated by the Financial Secretary. With strong financing capability and liquidity position, the HKMC's core operations remain resilient and stand ready to face any financial turbulence ahead in performing its strategic policy roles and attaining its social objectives.
 
2020 half-Year business performance highlights
 
Asset purchase  
 

• Purchased HK$0.9 billion loan assets and HK$14.3 billion loans with the Special 100% Loan Guarantee under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS) (1H 2019: HK$1.0 billion); and

• Outstanding principal balance of loan portfolio was HK$21.5 billion as at June 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019: HK$6.9 billion).

 
Debt issuance  
 

• Issued in total HK$11.1 billion corporate debts (note) (1H 2019: HK$14.8 billion), being the most active corporate debt issuer in Hong Kong;

• Outstanding balance of debt securities was HK$48.4 billion as at June 30, 2020 (December 31, 2019: HK$39.7 billion); and

• Credit ratings of AA+ from S&P Global Ratings and Aa3 from Moody's, same as those of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

 
Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP)
 

• New mortgage loans drawn down amounted to HK$40.4 billion (1H 2019: HK$15.7 billion); and

• 87% of loans drawn down (in terms of loan amount) were secured on properties in the secondary market, demonstrating the importance of the MIP to homebuyers in the secondary market.

 
SME Financing Guarantee Scheme
 

• Approved around 1,200 applications under the 80% Guarantee Product with a total loan amount of approximately HK$5.1 billion. Since its launch in May 2012, 91% of the benefitted borrowers were small and medium-sized enterprises each with less than 50 employees;

• Launched the 90% Guarantee Product on December 16, 2019. As at the end of June 2020, approved more than 1,500 applications with a total loan amount of approximately HK$2.6 billion; and

• Launched the Special 100% Loan Guarantee on April 20, 2020. As at the end of June 2020, approved more than 10,000 applications with a total loan amount of approximately HK$18.0 billion, of which HK$14.3 billion loan assets were purchased by the HKMC.

 
Reverse Mortgage Programme (RMP)
 

• Approved 254 applications (1H 2019: 223 applications) under the RMP, with an average property value of HK$6.2 million and an average monthly payout of HK$17,800.

 
HKMC Annuity Plan
 

• Total premiums received at around HK$0.9 billion (1H 2019: HK$0.8 billion) and an average premium of HK$934,000 (1H 2019: HK$777,000); and

• Lowered the minimum eligible age to 60 from 65 on February 26, 2020.

 
     Further details of the HKMC's unaudited consolidated financial results and financial review for 1H 2020 are set out at the Annex.

Note: For debts with tenor of one year or above.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) gave the following update today (October 5):
 
     Regarding the situation of Candida auris carrier cases in Kowloon West Cluster (KWC), KWC hospitals have adopted a series of measures to prevent the spreading of Candida auris, including enhanced admission screening and close contact tracing of patients.
 
     After the implementation of the above measures, four male patients (aged 89 to 93) in the same male medical ward of YCH have been confirmed as Candida auris carriers while not having signs of infection. The four patients are now being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the hospital will continue contact tracing for the patients. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
 
1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

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 Airstar Bank Limited on suspicious mobile applications (Apps), which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the Apps concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the Apps should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (October 5), three COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 4 864 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
      
     At present, there are 633 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 131 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 117 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 17 public hospitals, among which 11 patients are in critical condition, eight are in serious condition and the remaining 98 patients are in stable condition.
      
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner. 
      
     Details of the above-mentioned patients are as follows: