The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The Chief Executive has accepted the recommendations of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal to extend the term of office of two non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal for a period of three years, consisting of one non-permanent Hong Kong judge and one non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction:
 
     Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judge:
     (commencing October 25, 2018)
     The Honourable Mr Justice Syed Kemal Shah Bokhary, GBM
 
     Non-Permanent Judge from Another Common Law Jurisdiction:
     (commencing October 1, 2018)
     The Right Honourable the Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers
 
     The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance provides for a list of non-permanent Hong Kong judges and a list of judges from other common law jurisdictions. The term of appointment of such judges is three years. That term may be extended for one or more periods of three years by the Chief Executive acting in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Justice.

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (September 21) published the September 2018 issue of its Half-Yearly Monetary and Financial Stability Report.
      
     The Half-Yearly Report provides detailed analyses of the global and local economy, as well as the monetary and financial conditions in Hong Kong. It also examines the recent performance and risks of the local banking sector. 
      
     The Half-Yearly Report can be viewed on and downloaded from the HKMA website. A separate, printed version of the Half-Yearly Report (English version only) may be ordered or bought at the HKMA Information Centre on 55th Floor, Two International Finance Centre at $60 a copy.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will depart for London, the United Kingdom (UK), in the early hours on September 26 (Wednesday) for a duty visit.

     During his stay in London, Mr Cheung will address the 35th Hong Kong Dinner organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in London to celebrate the long and close relationship between Hong Kong and the UK. He will also address a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Association.

     Mr Cheung will meet senior government officials as well as members of the business sector and professionals to update them on the latest developments of Hong Kong. Furthermore, he will attend a ceremony on the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cultural co-operation between Hong Kong and the UK, and a Hong Kong Hospital Authority talk on opportunities for non-locally trained doctors in Hong Kong. He will also take the opportunity to meet members of the Chinese community and Hong Kong students in the UK and visit organisations and facilities in London.

     Mr Cheung will leave London on September 28 (London time) and arrive in Hong Kong the following day. During his absence, the Secretary for Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, will act as Chief Secretary for Administration.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements this Sunday (September 23) to facilitate two public events to be held on Hong Kong Island.

(1)
     
     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 9.15am until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Bonham Strand West;
– Bonham Strand;
– Queen’s Road West;
– Li Sing Street;
– Ko Shing Street;
– Des Voeux Road West; and
– Wing Lok Street.

(2)
     
     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 2.30pm until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Luard Road between Johnston Road and Hennessy Road;
– Westbound Hennessy Road;
– Queensway;
– Rodney Street;
– Eastbound Harcourt Road; and
– Northbound Tim Mei Avenue.
     
     Vehicles may not be permitted to access or leave the car parks along the routes during the road closure period.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (September 22).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.