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.
 
———————————————————
     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning June 10, 2024:
 

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (June 4):
 
Reporter: Good morning, Mr Lee. Some English questions. Firstly, as mentioned by another reporter, would Hong Kong residents still be able to publicly mourn June 4 from Causeway Bay tonight, and would the recent arrests in the police department be counterproductive and instead remind people of the upcoming June 4? Second question, with regard to the HKU (The University of Hong Kong) Council, what do you think of the root cause of this infighting that appears to be going on inside the HKU Council? Do you stand on the side of the council or on the side of the Vice Chancellor on this matter? And as the Chancellor of HKU, what are you going to do to help resolve the infighting and protect the school's reputation and operation? Thank you.

Chief Executive: The Government’s position on public events is very clear. All activities by any person must be conducted according to the law. No activities that contravene the law should take place. The Government of course will take action in accordance with law which includes the Public Order Ordinance, the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. I have said in my beginning speech that we should not forget the pain that we all went through in the attempted "colour revolution", which took place in 2019. The threat to national security is real, and such activities can happen all of a sudden, and different people may use different excuses to hide their intention. So it is important that we all bear that in mind to be on guard all the time against attempts to cause trouble to Hong Kong particularly disturbing public peace. The Hong Kong Government will ensure that all activities that take place in public must be conducted within the law, and for any activities that contravene the law, law enforcement agencies will take action accordingly.

     Regarding the HKU, I have noted media reports regarding some internal matters about the HKU. The HKU is a successful university that belongs to the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region). Hong Kong citizens and I myself, of course, have high expectations of good governance in the HKU. I have caused action to learn more about what is happening, and I have tasked the Education Bureau to learn more about what is happening. They will report to me and then I shall discuss with them the way forward.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Government today (June 4) announced that, as set out in the 2024-25 Budget, a one-off extra allowance equal to one half of the monthly payment or allowance will be provided to eligible recipients of social security payments, including the recipients of the standard rate of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance and Disability Allowance. Similar arrangements will apply to households in receipt of Working Family Allowance (WFA). The above recipients will receive the extra allowance starting from today (details in the Annex).

     A Government spokesman said that recipients who were eligible for social security payments on May 8, 2024 (i.e. the date on which the Legislative Council approved the Appropriation Bill 2024), and the households from which WFA applications were made from November 1, 2023, to May 8, 2024, and approved would be eligible for the one-off extra allowance. It is estimated that about 1.66 million social security recipients and about 64 000 WFA households would benefit from the arrangements, involving a total of about $3 billion in extra allowance. The payment will be credited to the designated Hong Kong bank accounts of the eligible recipients/households and no separate application is required.

     For enquiries, recipients of social security payments may call the hotline (2343 2255) of the Social Welfare Department or contact the respective Social Security Field Unit. As for enquiries on the WFA Scheme, please call the hotline (2558 3000) of the Working Family Allowance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency.

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that The Macallan from Scotland yesterday (June 3) officially opened its new premium flagship retail concept store, The Macallan House, in the city's Central district as a long-term investment, recognising Hong Kong as an ultimate luxury destination in Asia.
          
     The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, said "We are excited to see that The Macallan, a renowned global whisky brand, is coming to Hong Kong with such a marvelous shop. It is a huge investment that shows the company's confidence in Hong Kong's global status, and adds a premium choice for local whisky lovers and tourists from around the globe. I believe this will prove to be a good choice for The Macallan that will pay off in good business growth in future."
          
     Located on Stanley Street, The Macallan House Hong Kong occupies 6 000 square feet of retail space across three floors, with five distinctive areas, including an exclusive retail space, a dining and exhibition area, a private engagement and entertainment lounge, a high-end bar and a showroom. The store blends nature and culture, offering guests an exceptional experience within an exclusive ambience of sight, scent, touch, taste, and sound for people to discover whisky expressions.
          
     The flagship store is the first of a series of 22 new openings scheduled through 2024 across the globe, according to the Managing Director of North Asia of Edrington, Mr Jaime Martin. He said, "It is the start of our ambitious retail plan for the brand to showcase our craftsmanship and creativity across the globe."
          
     Mr Martin continued, "Hong Kong is the ultimate luxury destination for a lot of people across China, Asia, and the world. This is a long-term investment for the brand, and it comes with historical roots; Hong Kong is the first city where we introduced The Macallan to Asia many years ago."
          
     Creative Director at The Macallan, Mr Jaume Ferras, said "The Macallan House is unlike anything we have unveiled before – a unique place which captures our unwavering commitment to uncompromised excellence, and brings to life the innovation, creativity and connection to nature which have been at the heart of The Macallan for nearly 200 years."
          
     Head of Retail at The Macallan, Ms Coral Gill, shared, "From the moment visitors step foot into The Macallan House, they will find themselves transported to the brand's home in Speyside, Scotland. The retail environment offers visitors an immersive, engaging experience to appreciate the incomparable offerings of The Macallan."
          
     The Macallan House at 1 Stanley Street, Central, opened for business on May 11, 2024.

    

     After a long hiatus, the highly popular China National Acrobatic Troupe will be back in July to perform an acrobatics extravaganza titled "Me and My Youth" to lift the curtain on the International Arts Carnival (IAC), a summer arts festival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. "Me and My Youth" is also one of the programmes of the inaugural Chinese Culture Festival, and a celebratory programme of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
 
     Founded in 1950, the China National Acrobatic Troupe is the largest of its kind and the only national-level performing group on the Mainland, most celebrated for its seamless incorporation of modern technology into traditional acrobatics. Always pushing the limits of human performance, its members possess exceptional qualities, ranging from strength, precision, balance and co-ordination to skill, courage and artistic flair. The troupe's last appearance in the 2017 IAC earned great acclaim from the audience.
 
     As a programme marking the 70th anniversary of the troupe, "Me and My Youth" showcases the very essence of its repertoire and reinterprets classic acrobatics in a new and vibrant style. Its best talents are set to give their all, delivering beautifully choreographed stunts such as trick cycling, sway pole and plate spinning. Of particular note is the men's bicycle feat, a highlight of the 2023 China Central Television Spring Festival Gala where the troupe's amazing physical prowess left the audience in awe.
 
     The China National Acrobatic Troupe has won countless accolades both at home and abroad, such as two Golden Clown Awards of the Monte Carlo International Acrobatic and Circus Competition in Monaco; the Gold Prize and Budapest Grand Prix at the 15th Budapest International Circus Festival in Hungary; and the Gold Prize at the 3rd Figueres International Circus Festival in Spain.
 
     The IAC opening programme "Me and My Youth" will be held at 7.30pm on July 5 and 6, and 3pm on July 6 and 7 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Tickets priced at $220, $320, $420 and $480 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone booking, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".
 
     The matinee at 3pm on July 6 is an accessible performance with audio description in Cantonese. A touch tour will be provided prior to the performance for people with visual impairment and their companions.
 
     For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk.
 
     This year's IAC will run from July 5 to August 11 featuring a wide array of fun-filled educational programmes by overseas, Mainland and local art groups and artists. In addition to acrobatics, magic, dance, music, theatre and puppetry, the IAC will also offer film screenings, online programmes, parent-child workshops and an exhibition.