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

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
*"Pro rata ratio" refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant's tendered amount at the "highest yield accepted" level. 
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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning July 31, 2023:
 

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 is 103.6 (down 0.4 against yesterday's index).

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 24) seized a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including about 3 100 smart terminal devices, about 17 000 pieces of metal parts, about 5 200 pieces of rain shields and about 700 pieces of sanitary ware, with a total estimated market value of about $7.5 million at the Man Kam To Control Point. 

     Through risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an incoming truck at the Man Kam To Control Point. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected unmanifested goods mixed with declared goods on board the vehicle.

     An investigation is ongoing. A 54-year-old male truck driver is assisting the investigation.

     Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

     â€‹The Government's inter-departmental working group responsible for tackling management issues of oyster rafts in Deep Bay announced today (July 25) that it has formulated action plans to strengthen the management of oyster farming activities in Deep Bay to deal with relevant issues including management, environmental hygiene, and navigational safety.

     A spokesperson for the working group said, "The significant increase in the number of oyster rafts in the vicinity of Deep Bay in recent years has affected the coastal environment and navigational safety. In this light, the Government has to take necessary measures to step up the management of oyster farming activities in the area."

     The working group plans to delineate oyster farming areas in Deep Bay and regulate oyster farming activities in the areas, including limiting the number of oyster rafts and putting in place effective management measures. The working group has completed a freezing survey of the number and locations of oyster rafts in Deep Bay earlier. Any oyster rafts installed after the freezing survey, or existing rafts that are not allowed to operate after the implementation of the plans, must be removed before a deadline to be specified by the working group at a later stage. Otherwise, enforcement action will be taken according to the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (Cap. 313).

     The working group has had initial contact with representatives from the oyster farming industry to explain the management approach. It will continue to keep close liaison with stakeholders and collect their views on the management plan to better manage local oyster farming, and enhance environmental hygiene and navigational safety, etc in the vicinity of Deep Bay.

     The Government's inter-departmental working group consists of representatives from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Lands Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Marine Department, the Environmental Protection Department, and the Home Affairs Department. Affected oyster farmers can call 2150 7093, fax to 2314 2866 or email mailbox@afcd.gov.hk to contact the Government's inter-departmental working group.

     Police today (July 25) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Sau Mau Ping.

     Chan Wun-king, aged 81, went missing after she left her residence on Ngau Tau Kok Road on July 24 morning. Her family reported to Police on the same day.

     She is about 1.6 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a long face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a dark-coloured short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, sport shoes, and carrying a red suitcase.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0321 or 9823 3658 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.