Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 14) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Pui O Beach and Lower Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District; and Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Hongkong Post announced today (June 14) that an exhibition displaying the winning entries and other entries of the 17th Inter-School Stamp Exhibits Competition will be held at Sha Tin Town Hall from June 29 to July 1. The competition is co-organised by Hongkong Post and the Education Bureau to promote philately among students. The exhibition will be open to the public and admission is free.

     Hongkong Post will issue a souvenir cover, together with a special postmark and a cachet, to mark the event. Souvenir covers will be put on sale at $2 each at all philatelic offices from tomorrow (June 15) to July 1. A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided at the exhibition venue and all philatelic offices on June 29.
     
     Information about the exhibition and the souvenir covers is available on Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk and the Hongkong Post mobile app.
 

  

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced today (June 14) that the Base Rate was adjusted upward by 25 basis points to 2.25% with immediate effect according to a pre-set formula. The increase in the Base Rate follows the 25-basis point upward shift in the target range for the US federal funds rate on June 13 (US time). 
      
     The Base Rate is the interest rate forming the foundation upon which the Discount Rates for repurchase transactions through the Discount Window are computed. The Base Rate is currently set at either 50 basis points above the lower end of the prevailing target range for the US federal funds rate or the average of the five-day moving averages of the overnight and one-month Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rates, whichever is the higher.

     The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, promoted Hong Kong's role as an ideal hub for deal making and dispute resolution in London, the United Kingdom (UK), today (June 13, London time). Speaking at a legal and business sector event, Ms Cheng said key players of the international business community, including those from the UK, can seize the new opportunities brought about by the synergy created by the respective strengths of cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.
      
     Ms Cheng was delivering a speech entitled "Hong Kong as an ideal hub for deal making in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Area" at a seminar organised by Hong Kong Association and attended by representatives from the legal and business sector.
      
     Ms Cheng said Hong Kong's distinctive strengths as the most open and international city in China, together with its robust legal system and unparalleled expertise in legal and financial services, make it an ideal hub for deal making and dispute resolution in the Bay Area.
       
     Enterprises can embrace what Hong Kong has to offer with this role when seizing the newopportunities, including those arising from proliferation of intellectual property rights in the Bay Area and the wave of technological innovation.
      
     Ms Cheng is currently conducting an official visit in London to promote Hong Kong as a legal and deal-making hub and update key players in the UK on Hong Kong's latest developments in international legal and dispute resolution services.
      
     Earlier in the morning, Ms Cheng met with the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Mr David Gauke, to exchange views on legal matters of mutual interest. She also met with the Chair of the Bar of England and Wales, Mr Andrew Walker, QC, to enhance ties with the legal profession and paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Mr Liu Xiaoming.
      
      Ms Cheng will continue her visit tomorrow (June 14, London time) in the UK.

        

     A man who went missing in Central was located.

     Chan Chun-wing, aged 29, went missing after he was last seen at a pier on Connaught Road Central on June 7 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the next day (June 8).

     The man was located on Victoria Park Road today morning (June 13). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.