The Government published this year's appointments of Justices of the Peace (JPs) in the Government Gazette today (July 1).

     A total of 73 persons have been appointed, including 41 JPs appointed under section 3(1)(b) of the Justices of the Peace Ordinance (Chapter 510) (commonly referred to as "Non-official JPs") and 32 JPs appointed under section 3(1)(a) of the same ordinance (commonly referred to as "Official JPs").

     The main function of JPs is to visit prisons, detention centres and other institutions to ensure their effective management and that no individual is unfairly treated or deprived of his or her rights.  JPs will ensure that complaints lodged by individuals are handled in a fair and transparent manner.

     The name list of JPs appointed under section 3(1)(b) and section 3(1)(a) of the Justices of the Peace Ordinance is provided in the Appendix.

     The 2019 Honours List is published in the Government Gazette today (July 1). This is the 22nd full Honours List since 1997.

     The Chief Executive has awarded a total of 399 persons in this year's Honours List, including:

   Award                                                  Number
   —–                                                     ——-
(a) Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM)                   2
(b) Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS)                       11
(c) Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS)                      23
(d) Medal for Bravery (Silver) (MBS)              3
(e) Distinguished Service Medals                  16
    for the disciplined services
    and the ICAC
(f) Bronze Bauhinia Star (BBS)                     41
(g) Medal for Bravery (Bronze) (MBB)            7
(h) Meritorious Service Medals for                 46
    the disciplined services
    and the ICAC
(i) Medal of Honour (MH)                             96
(j) Chief Executive's Commendation            113
   for Community Service
(k) Chief Executive's Commendation             41
   for Government/Public Service        
                                                               ——
                                                                399

     The Honours recipients are from different walks of life. They are given an honour or award in recognition of their significant contributions to Hong Kong or for their dedicated public and community service.

     The presentation ceremony for the awards is tentatively scheduled for early November 2019.

     The citations of the award recipients of the 2019 Honours List are provided in the Appendix.

     Police today (June 30) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Hung Hom. 

     Chan Lai-mui, aged 79, went missing after she left a hostel at Baker Court in the small hours on June 28. Staff of the hostel made a report to Police on the same day.

     She is about 1.5 metres tall, 41 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a square face with yellow complexion and short white hair. She was last seen wearing a white shirt, black trousers and black slippers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8038 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     Police today (June 30) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Chai Wan.  

     Yuen Chi-yeuk Lora, aged 47, went missing after she was last seen on Shau Kei Wan Road on June 21 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police yesterday (June 29).

     She is about 1.58 metres tall, 52 kilograms in weight and of normal build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short straight black hair. She was last seen　wearing glasses, a dark blue jacket, dark-coloured trousers and white sports shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1040 or 9886 0034 or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced today (June 30) that it will establish a BIS Innovation Hub (the "Hub") to foster international collaboration on innovative financial technology within the central banking community. One of the Hub Centres will be set up in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) welcomes this development.

     The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Norman Chan, said, "I am very pleased to see that the BIS will set up a Hub Centre in Hong Kong. This is a clear recognition of Hong Kong's leading role in the development and application of innovative financial technologies and its vibrant fintech ecosystem. As a member of the BIS, the HKMA welcomes the establishment of the Hub and is fully supportive of its work. We will work closely with the Hub to contribute to its research projects on technology and innovation to foster better collaboration among central banks and the wider community."

     The role of the Hub will be to identify and develop in-depth insights into critical trends in technology affecting central banking; develop public goods in the technology space geared towards improving the functioning of the global financial system; and serve as a focal point for a network of central bank experts on innovation.

     The BIS, founded in 1930, is an international financial organisation with a membership of 60 shareholding central banks. Its mission is to serve central banks in their pursuit of monetary and financial stability, to foster international cooperation in those areas and to act as a bank for central banks.