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

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning July 29:
 

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after attending the launch ceremony of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Membership Hospitality Academy today (July 23):
 
Reporter: Secretary, given the unsettling images out of Yuen Long, and that so many people are troubled by it, does the Education Bureau have any support and guidelines issued especially for schools in those areas, where we saw schools and shops in Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long close early yesterday? And can you also give – aside from the safety, on their emotional support, and also we saw teachers being arrested or they are criticised for posting messages or for some of their behaviours. Will the Education Bureau carry out any disciplinary action on those teachers?
 
Secretary for Education: I think the situation in Hong Kong – well, we all know what is happening now in Hong Kong. I take this opportunity to appeal to all of us citizens of Hong Kong that we should abide by the law. We are confident that the Police are able to maintain law and order in Hong Kong. At present, basically all schools are on their summer holidays. There are a number of summer activities organised by the schools for the students. I think these are quite flexible in nature. So I think the schools could decide how and where to organise these activities for their students, and we, the EDB (Education Bureau) would be happy to offer advice and assistance to the schools if needed. Regarding your question on teachers' performance, I think, we, as a society, have very high expectations of our teachers and are hoping that our teachers will also abide by their professional conduct and professional requirements when they are teaching at schools. On individual cases, we have to look at the facts and we have to look at the final investigations by, for example, the law enforcement agents, and see whether any actions need to be taken by the schools or the EDB according to the established procedures.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 23) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving services at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District are suspended until further notice.

     First aid services will be maintained at the beach.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (July 23) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mr Wong Po-yan.
 
     "A successful entrepreneur, Mr Wong was committed to promoting the advancement of the plastics industry in Hong Kong in earlier years and made significant contributions to the economic development of the city. He loved the country and Hong Kong and had been taking an active part in public and community service for a long time. He was a member of the Legislative Council and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Basic Law Drafting Committee before Hong Kong's return to the motherland, and was later the Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Basic Law of the HKSAR under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and a Hong Kong Deputy to the NPC, playing an important role in the development of Hong Kong as well as the nation. Renowned for his leadership, he was appointed as the first Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, laying a solid foundation for the development of Hong Kong International Airport as the global aviation hub that it is today. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 1998.
 
     "I am saddened by the passing of Mr Wong. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family," Mrs Lam said.

     â€‹The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, today (July 23) started his duty visit to Bangkok, Thailand, in the latest bid to attract Thai companies to set up a presence in Hong Kong to tap the new business opportunities that the city has to offer.
              
     During the visit, Mr Phillips will meet with leaders from diverse industries as well as officials from the Thailand Board of Investment. Thailand is the second-largest economy in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), hence the visit is a significant step for Invest Hong Kong to lure Thai companies seeking an international business platform from which to grow.
              
     Mr Phillips said, "Through this visit I hope to update Thailand business communities of the various new economic developments in Hong Kong, so that they can better understand the benefits of having a presence in Hong Kong.
      
     "The country is undergoing a significant economic transformation with the Thailand 4.0 policy. The various initiatives include reinforcing promotions and support for innovation, creativity, research and development, higher technologies and green technologies. These bear a lot of similarities with some of Hong Kong's economic priorities," he added.
      
     He continued, "While Hong Kong is a convenient channel for companies to manage and raise funds for Belt and Road projects, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development adds another appeal. Hong Kong is being identified as the international hub for this integrated market that has a population of 71 million and a gross domestic product of US$1.6 trillion. By having a base in Hong Kong, companies from Thailand can easily tap the huge opportunities arising from the bay area."
                            
About InvestHK
                     
     InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.