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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by China CITIC Bank International Limited relating to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (December 11) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of January 6, 2025, up to March 23, 2025. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
      
     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to November 30, 2024, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1 295 000 transactions, collecting 1 002 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,598 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
      
     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts' own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
      
     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
      
     The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.

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 (December 11) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (December 11). The arrangements will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

     The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from 50 minutes before the start of the first race for day racing, or from 6pm onwards for night racing:

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

     The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

1. Road closure

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night racing respectively.

     All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

     In response to media enquiries on hospital development plans and cluster delineation, a spokesman for the Health Bureau gave the following response today (December 10):

     The Hospital Authority (HA) plans and develops various public healthcare services on a cluster basis, taking into account a number of factors, including the changes in service demand arising from population growth and demographic changes, rising prevalence of chronic diseases, healthcare technology advancement, healthcare manpower supply as well as service arrangements of the clusters. At present, there are a total of 14 public hospitals and healthcare institutions in the Hong Kong East and Hong Kong West Clusters, with five of those hospitals treating acute or complex illnesses, namely Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Ruttonjee Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Grantham Hospital and St. John Hospital.

     The Health Bureau is currently working with the HA in reviewing the prioritisation of the hospital development projects in various districts across the city under the Second Hospital Development Plan (HDP), with reference to fundamental factors including the city-wide future planning by the Planning Department (including the Northern Metropolis and other development concepts set out in the "Hong Kong 2030+: Towards a Planning Vision and Strategy Transcending 2030"), the latest population statistics and projection data of the Census and Statistics Department, anticipated population distribution and demographics, and estimated healthcare services demand, while considering the supply and status of the sites for healthcare facilities, need and cost-effectiveness of renovation, refurbishment, redevelopment or addition of facilities of individual hospitals, and ease of patient in accessing the healthcare facilities, etc.
 
     Meanwhile, the HA is reviewing and planning the service provision of hospital clusters, including the delineation of hospital clusters as well as positioning and roles of hospitals, having regard to the anticipated changes in population distribution and demographics. In particular, the operation of hospitals in each cluster should be rationalised and supplementary to one another such that the relevant hospitals can offer the community comprehensive and complementary services in a co-ordinated manner, including ensuring that the Accident and Emergency departments are located within a reasonable distance from their respective service areas, while striving to optimise the overall service arrangements. The hospital development projects under the HDP will dovetail with long-term planning made by the HA for its healthcare services, including strategic plans and clinical service plans. 

     In respect of the Hong Kong Island region, according to the future population projections by the Census and Statistics Department, in spite of an anticipated increase in the overall population by 2041, the population of the Hong Kong Island region would drop slightly, while the proportion of elderly persons aged 65 or above would increase in the light of an ageing population. The Health Bureau and the HA are projecting future local service demand in accordance with the aforementioned projections, in order to review and plan the hospital development projects under the Second HDP in the region. The HA is also reviewing and planning the service provisions as well as the role delineation and distribution of various hospitals in the region to provide a basis of reference for the HDP.

     Taking into consideration the population served by a cluster in general, the consolidation of the services of the entire Hong Kong Island into one cluster is one of the study directions. It is expected that, under the consolidated cluster, the existing hospitals treating acute or complex illnesses in the region will all be retained with their functions of treating acute or complex illnesses maintained, thus this will not, for common illnesses, cause citizens to travel to another district for medical consultations or visit to patients. This option will also reduce relevant administrative cost and facilitate service co-ordination, thereby enhancing cost effectiveness. The HA will, having regard to estimated local needs, optimise service distribution and suitably increase the number of beds and relevant healthcare facilities, while the Health Bureau will work with the HA to formulate hospital development projects under the HDP with reference to the relevant arrangements.
 
     Upon completion of the review, the Government will announce the details of the Second HDP in due course.