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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced today (November 8) that the Base Rate has been set at 5 per cent with immediate effect according to a pre-set formula.
      
     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 (HIBORs), whichever is the higher.
      
     Following the 25-basis point downward adjustment in the target range for the US federal funds rate on November 7 (US time), 50 basis points above the lower end of the prevailing target range for the US federal funds rate is 5 per cent, while the average of the five-day moving averages of the overnight and one-month HIBORs is 3.87 per cent. The Base Rate is therefore set at 5 per cent according to the pre-set formula.

     â€‹The press conference for the 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao road cycling race and road cycling test event for the 15th National Games (NG) was held in Zhuhai today (November 7). It was announced that the test event will be held on November 24.  
      
     Vice Mayor of the Zhuhai Municipal Government and Vice Chairperson of the Zhuhai Executive Committee of the 15th NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), Mr Li Chong; the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Head of the Preparatory Office for the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG in Macao (the Preparatory Office in Macao), Mr Pun Weng-kun; and Deputy Director-General of the Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Mr Yuan Xiong attended the press conference and introduced the details of the test event.  
      
     A men's individual race will be arranged for the test event and is scheduled to start at 9am on November 24, and is expected to conclude at 2.30pm. The event will feature 23 representative teams from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, with a total of 71 professional athletes competing. The race spans across Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macao, covering a total distance of 230 kilometres, which comprises a 160.7km section in Zhuhai, a 55.8km section in Hong Kong and a 13.5km section in Macao. 
      
     During the press conference, Mr Yeung said that the NGCO in collaboration with relevant departments and organisations will provide full support for the race in Hong Kong section, including customs clearance management, traffic control, medical support, and emergency rescue services, to ensure the smooth conduct of the test event. The race will enter Hong Kong from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and go through the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities Island, North Lantau Highway and Penny's Bay Highway. The competing teams will return after passing by Hong Kong Disneyland and head back to Zhuhai via the HZMB and Hengqin. It is expected that the race will take place in Hong Kong for about 1.5 hours. Given the need for competing teams to enter and exit the HZMB Hong Kong Port during the test event, the NGCO will provide full support to the arrangements of Zhuhai and ensure that all event personnel, equipment and vehicles can smoothly pass through the HZMB Hong Kong Port during the race.  
      
     Mr Li said in the press conference that the race is the first national sports event that connects and integrates Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and it is also the only 15th NG event being arranged across the three places. The race will consolidate the exchange within and integration of the Greater Bay Area in the aspect of sports and establish a cultural and sports brand event exchange matrix in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promoting the integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the national development plan, and bringing forward the deep integration of the Greater Bay Area. 
      
     Mr Pun said that the Preparatory Office in Macao and the relevant government departments in Macao have been in close collaboration with Guangdong and Hong Kong. Multiple site inspections were conducted to ensure the full preparations for the event in terms of customs clearance management, traffic control, medical support and emergency rescue services, etc. The Preparatory Office in Macao will provide full support for the event and work together with Hong Kong and Zhuhai to host a successful event for the preparation of the 15th NG to be held next year. 
      
     The HZMB and Hong Kong Port would be subject to special traffic arrangements during the day of the test event. Details of road closure and traffic arrangements will be announced in due course. 
      
     The 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao road cycling race and the road cycling test event for the 15th NG is organised by the Chinese Cycling Association and the People's Government of Zhuhai Municipality with support from the NGCO of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Preparatory Office in Macao and the Executive Committee of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. 

  

     â€‹The press conference for the 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao road cycling race and road cycling test event for the 15th National Games (NG) was held in Zhuhai today (November 7). It was announced that the test event will be held on November 24.  
      
     Vice Mayor of the Zhuhai Municipal Government and Vice Chairperson of the Zhuhai Executive Committee of the 15th NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), Mr Li Chong; the Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Head of the Preparatory Office for the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG in Macao (the Preparatory Office in Macao), Mr Pun Weng-kun; and Deputy Director-General of the Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Mr Yuan Xiong attended the press conference and introduced the details of the test event.  
      
     A men's individual race will be arranged for the test event and is scheduled to start at 9am on November 24, and is expected to conclude at 2.30pm. The event will feature 23 representative teams from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, with a total of 71 professional athletes competing. The race spans across Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macao, covering a total distance of 230 kilometres, which comprises a 160.7km section in Zhuhai, a 55.8km section in Hong Kong and a 13.5km section in Macao. 
      
     During the press conference, Mr Yeung said that the NGCO in collaboration with relevant departments and organisations will provide full support for the race in Hong Kong section, including customs clearance management, traffic control, medical support, and emergency rescue services, to ensure the smooth conduct of the test event. The race will enter Hong Kong from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and go through the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities Island, North Lantau Highway and Penny's Bay Highway. The competing teams will return after passing by Hong Kong Disneyland and head back to Zhuhai via the HZMB and Hengqin. It is expected that the race will take place in Hong Kong for about 1.5 hours. Given the need for competing teams to enter and exit the HZMB Hong Kong Port during the test event, the NGCO will provide full support to the arrangements of Zhuhai and ensure that all event personnel, equipment and vehicles can smoothly pass through the HZMB Hong Kong Port during the race.  
      
     Mr Li said in the press conference that the race is the first national sports event that connects and integrates Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and it is also the only 15th NG event being arranged across the three places. The race will consolidate the exchange within and integration of the Greater Bay Area in the aspect of sports and establish a cultural and sports brand event exchange matrix in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promoting the integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the national development plan, and bringing forward the deep integration of the Greater Bay Area. 
      
     Mr Pun said that the Preparatory Office in Macao and the relevant government departments in Macao have been in close collaboration with Guangdong and Hong Kong. Multiple site inspections were conducted to ensure the full preparations for the event in terms of customs clearance management, traffic control, medical support and emergency rescue services, etc. The Preparatory Office in Macao will provide full support for the event and work together with Hong Kong and Zhuhai to host a successful event for the preparation of the 15th NG to be held next year. 
      
     The HZMB and Hong Kong Port would be subject to special traffic arrangements during the day of the test event. Details of road closure and traffic arrangements will be announced in due course. 
      
     The 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao road cycling race and the road cycling test event for the 15th NG is organised by the Chinese Cycling Association and the People's Government of Zhuhai Municipality with support from the NGCO of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Preparatory Office in Macao and the Executive Committee of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. 

  

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Chek Lap Kok tonight (November 7) in which a man died.
      
     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     To enhance awareness of blood donation within the academic community and to encourage youth participation, the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) invited the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the delegation of associations of secondary school heads to the BTS Headquarters today (November 7). The delegation toured the blood bank, laboratories, donor centre and education vehicle. The BTS provided an overview of its blood donation education initiatives, and facilitated a dialogue on strategies for promoting blood donation within schools. Dr Choi and the members of the delegation also gave blood after the tour, setting a role model for students in Hong Kong.

     In her opening remarks, Dr Choi said, "Blood donation not only helps those in need in the community but also cultivates in students the correct values and attitudes such as care for society, willingness to help, and respect for life, becoming good citizens. This year, 10 secondary schools are awarded the Elite Partnership Award in recognition of their exemplary efforts in cultivating a culture of blood donation on campus, which is truly commendable. The Education Bureau (EDB) appeals to the education sector to encourage more students to actively take part in blood donation." The EDB fully supports the BTS's efforts in blood donation education. Dr Choi added that it is heartening to see the BTS has introduced innovative blood donation education programmes, raising awareness of blood donation among youngsters.

     The Chief Executive and Medical Director of the BTS, Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong, addressed that, "In an aging society, the recruitment of new blood donors is of paramount importance. Young donor education is prioritised in blood donation promotion." He added that, the BTS's educational initiatives integrate holistic education and life planning. For example, the "Learn About Blood Tour" launched in 2022 invited students to visit the Centre's blood bank to explore the blood production process and gain insights into the related medical and laboratory professions. Additionally, to cultivate a habit of regular blood donation, the BTS recognised young donors under 25 who have donated blood three or more times during campus donation events by presenting them with "Young Donor Medal". Furthermore, promotion vehicle was deployed to campus donation drives and school representatives were invited to visit featured donor centre, aiming to attract more young donors through diverse activities.
      
     The BTS calls upon all members of the academia to continue supporting blood donation activities, and groom our next generation to be regular donors. For more information on academic blood donation programmes, please visit the BTS website: www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.