Police today (September 20) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tsing Yi.
         
     Yu Pik-ying, aged 43, went missing after she left her residence in Cheung On Estate on September 7 morning. Her family made a report to Police on September 15.
         
     She is about 1.5 metres tall, 48 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and shoulder-length black straight hair. She was last seen wearing a black dress, black shoes and carrying a brown handbag.
          
     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9689 7445 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The annual event "Build a Secure Cyberspace", co-organised by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Co-ordination Centre, has set "Stay Smart, Keep Cyber Scams Away" as the theme this year. A series of promotional activities have been organised to raise public awareness against cyber scams such as phishing.
      
     Addressing a seminar today (September 20), the Assistant Government Chief Information Officer (Cyber Security and Digital Identity), Mr Jason Pun, said, "Phishing attacks have extended from phishing emails and fraudulent websites commonly found in the past to deception through social media or instant messaging mobile apps, and the tactics are diversified and in various guises."
      
     He called on the public to be mindful in handling suspicious emails or messages and not to open attachments or click on hyperlinks casually to safeguard their assets. He also reminded the public to stay vigilant against fraudulent websites in order to protect their computer devices from data theft or becoming part of a botnet.
      
     At the seminar, experts and representatives from the HKPF and the information security industry enlightened participants with their practical experience and security tips on an array of hot topics, including the latest cybercrime trends, methods to guard against phishing, measures for protecting organisation and household network devices, and points to note when using mobile payment.
      
     Another highlight today was the award presentation ceremony of the "Stay Smart, Keep Cyber Scams Away" Video Ad Contest. The Contest was divided into four categories, namely the primary school, secondary school, family and open groups, and received enthusiastic responses. Mr Pun commended the video ad submissions for their quality production and creativity. He said he expected that through the contest, the public could better understand the ways to identify legitimate websites and online messages so that they could guard against cyber security threats more effectively. The winning entries can be viewed at the Cyber Security Information Portal (www.cybersecurity.hk/en/contest-2018.php).
      
     A variety of events including seminars, a creativity contest, radio programmes and school talks are being held under the "Build a Secure Cyberspace" campaign. Details are available at www.cybersecurity.hk/en/build-a-secure-cyberspace.php.
    

    

     Hong Kong Customs today (September 20) distributed pamphlets in Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok and Wan Chai to remind members of the public, especially parents, about safety of Mid-Autumn Festival toys and to pay attention to the warnings and usage instructions on them.

     The Deputy Head (Toys and Children's Products Safety) of the Consumer Protection Bureau of Customs, Mr Eric Leung, today said when meeting the press in Sham Shui Po that Customs test-bought 10 models of Mid-Autumn Festival toys in August for safety testing by the Government Laboratory. Results showed that all samples complied with the statutory requirements.

     Customs conducted spot check operations in various districts in September and found four models of lanterns, four models of light-emitting toys and one type of glow stick without any identification markings (the full name and the address of the manufacturer, the importer or the supplier) and/or applicable bilingual warnings or cautions (with respect to the safekeeping, use, consumption or disposal) attached. The toys were suspected of having contravened the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO) and its subsidiary legislation.

     Nine retailers were ordered to store the 104 non-compliant lanterns, 498 non-compliant light-emitting toys and 79 stacks of non-compliant glow sticks in specified places.

     Customs will continue the spot check operations up to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

     Mr Leung also reminded parents to take heed of the warning labels and operation manuals of toys as well as to provide supervision to ensure children's safety in the course of using the toys.

     Under the TCPSO, it is an offence to import, manufacture or supply toys unless the toys comply with prescribed safety standards. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Transport Department (TD) today (September 20) reminded the public that to facilitate tram track renewal work at Belcher's Street, parts of the middle lane of Belcher's Street near Kwan Yick Street will be temporarily closed from about 10am next Saturday (September 29) to 6am on October 2 (Tuesday).
 
     During the above works period, the Kennedy Town Tram Terminus at Catchick Street outside the Merton Tower 2 will be suspended from about 10am on September 29 to 1am on October 2. Affected passengers should proceed to the westbound tram stop at Catchick Street near Davis Street (No. 104W) for taking the eastbound tram services.
 
     Appropriate traffic signs and road markings will be erected on-site to guide motorists.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the above road sections will be relatively busy. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion. Members of the public are advised to watch out for the latest traffic news or the department's website (www.td.gov.hk).
 

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

     The Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBoC), Mr Yi Gang, and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Norman Chan, signed a "Memorandum of Co-operation on Using Central Moneymarkets Unit for Issuance of PBoC Bills" today (September 20), for the tendering and issuance of PBoC bills through CMU BID, the HKMA's Central Moneymarkets Unit's (CMU) bond tendering platform. The details of the issuance will be separately announced. The issuance of PBoC bills in Hong Kong aims to enrich the spectrum of renminbi financial products of high credit rating in Hong Kong, improve the yield curve of renminbi bonds in Hong Kong, and support the development of offshore renminbi business in Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Chan said, "All along there has been strong demand for high quality and liquid renminbi assets in the offshore market. Following the annual issuance of sovereign bonds by the Ministry of Finance, PBoC bills may further satisfy demand in this aspect, especially the demand for debt instruments of a shorter tenor. Furthermore, this will improve the yield curve in the offshore market, provide a better foundation for financial institutions to develop renminbi products, and offer more renminbi liquidity management tools for financial institutions. The issuance of PBoC bills in Hong Kong will also reinforce Hong Kong's position as the global hub for offshore renminbi business. " 
 
     The CMU is operated by the HKMA. It serves as a platform for tendering, clearing and settlement of bonds. Since 2010, the Ministry of Finance has used the CMU bond tendering platform to tender for offshore renminbi sovereign bonds every year.