Tag Archives: China

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (December 21) the upcoming launch of the pilot programme of the Interbank Account Data Sharing (IADS) initiative, which aims to allow customers to securely and efficiently share their bank account data with other banks subject to customer consent.
      
     In collaboration with the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the banking industry, the HKMA’s Fintech Facilitation Office has completed a preliminary study of the IADS initiative. The study findings suggest that sharing customer bank account data between banks could help digitalise banking operations, strengthen risk management of banks, and enhance customer experience. Through the study, the rules and standards facilitating interbank customer-consented data sharing have been established for the IADS pilot programme, covering retail, corporate and small and medium-sized enterprise customer segments.
      
     The IADS pilot programme, covering deposit account information (Note), will commence on January 1, 2024, with the participation of 28 banks (see Annex). It is expected that the banks will gradually develop new and innovative banking services, such as streamlined loan applications, consolidated account views and tailored data-driven services. Throughout the pilot programme, the HKMA will monitor the implementation progress and market developments, and further formulate a possible implementation approach of the IADS initiative in the future.
      
     Mr Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, said, “The IADS pilot programme marks a significant milestone in fostering a customer-centric banking landscape. We expect this programme will empower customer to further unlock the potential of their account data at banks. By enabling consent-based and secure interbank account data sharing, both banks and customers will benefit from improved efficiency, lowered cost and innovative digital services and solutions, fuelling the growth of the digital economy in Hong Kong.”

Note: Deposit account information refers to account availability, status, balance, and transaction details. read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 21) that aquatic products processed and manufactured in a regulated Japanese prefecture were suspected to be in br… read more

     The first stage of the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant (TKODP) will be commissioned for supplying water tomorrow (December 22), providing a new and stable water source that is not susceptible to climate change. … read more

     Carcasses of a Pin-tailed snipe and an Eurasian teal found in the Hong Kong Wetland Park (Wetland Park) in Tin Shui Wai were suspected to be positive for the H5 avian influenza (AI) virus based on preliminary testing, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (December 21). Further confirmatory tests are being conducted.
      
     The bird carcasses were collected earlier at the mudflat in the Wetland Park.
      
     The spokesman said cleaning and disinfection has been stepped up at the location where the dead birds were found in the Wetland Park. Notices have also been put up to remind visitors to pay attention to personal hygiene. The Wetland Park will keep a close watch on the situation of birds inside the Park.
      
     One chicken farm is within 3 kilometres of where the dead birds were collected. The AFCD immediately informed the chicken farm concerned and no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks have been found so far. The AFCD will remind poultry farmers to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against AI. Pet bird shop owners and licence holders of bird exhibitions will also be reminded to implement proper precautions against AI.
      
     The spokesman said that the department will closely monitor poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against AI have been taken. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.
      
     “People should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for AFCD’s follow-up if they come across birds suspected to be sick or dead, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry,” the spokesman said.
      
     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.
      
     The Department of Health will keep up its health education to remind the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent AI.
      
     The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal importation of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of AI outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.
      
     All relevant government departments will continue to be highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against AI. Health advice about preventing AI is available on the “Avian Influenza Health Advice” page at www.afcd.gov.hk. read more

     A woman who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan has been located.      Zhang Yiqi, aged 32, went missing after she was last seen on Cheung Sha Wan Road on December 18 evening. Her family made a repor… read more