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

     According to statistics published today (March 28) by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, total deposits with Authorized Institutions increased by 0.2 per cent in February 2024. Among the total, Hong Kong dollar deposits decreased by 0.2 per cent while foreign currency deposits increased by 0.6 per cent in February. In the first two months of 2024, total deposits and Hong Kong dollar deposits decreased by 0.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively. Renminbi deposits in Hong Kong increased by 1.0 per cent in February to RMB964.2 billion at the end of February. The total remittance of renminbi for cross-border trade settlement amounted to RMB1,064.4 billion in February, compared with RMB1,400.9 billion in January. It should be noted that changes in deposits are affected by a wide range of factors, such as interest rate movements and fund-raising activities. It is therefore more appropriate to observe the longer-term trends, and not to over-generalise fluctuations in a single month.
      
     Total loans and advances decreased by 1.0 per cent in February, and decreased by 1.8 per cent in the first two months of 2024. Among the total, loans for use in Hong Kong (including trade finance) and loans for use outside Hong Kong decreased by 1.0 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively in February. The Hong Kong dollar loan-to-deposit ratio decreased to 83.7 per cent at the end of February from 84.2 per cent at the end of January, as Hong Kong dollar loans decreased by a larger extent than Hong Kong dollar deposits.
      
     Hong Kong dollar M2 and M3 both decreased by 0.3 per cent in February while both increased by 0.1 per cent when compared to a year ago. The seasonally-adjusted Hong Kong dollar M1 increased by 1.5 per cent in February while decreased by 10.7 per cent compared to a year ago, reflecting in part investment-related activities. Total M2 and total M3 both increased by 0.2 per cent in February. Compared to a year earlier, total M2 and total M3 increased by 4.0 per cent and 4.1 per cent respectively.  
      
     As monthly monetary statistics are subject to volatilities due to a wide range of transient factors, such as seasonal and IPO-related funding demand as well as business and investment-related activities, caution is required when interpreting the statistics.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     â€‹Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with parainfluenza virus in a special care baby unit, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital made the following update today (March 28):
      
     One more baby, a 14-month-old male, and a staff member in the ward presented with fever or respiratory symptoms. Appropriate tests were arranged for the patient and the result was positive to parainfluenza virus. The patient is being treated in isolation and in stable condition. The staff member is currently on leave.
      
     Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
      
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     Police today (March 28) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Ta Kwu Ling
 
     Wong Hong-chin, aged 35, went missing after he was last seen at MTR Lo Wu Station yesterday (March 27) afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.
 
     He is about 1.8 metres tall, 80 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a yellow T-shirt, brown trousers, black sandals and carrying a black crossbody bag.
 
     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or who may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1173 or 5683 7041 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any Police station.
 

  

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) supported an a cappella concert of The Mockingbird at Conway Hall in London, the United Kingdom (UK), on March 26 and 27 (London time) to showcase the young music talent of Hong Kong and Hong Kong's pop music culture. 

     The concert featured over 15 enchanting Cantonese and English pop songs across generations through the vocal performance by The Mockingbird, formed by a group of Hong Kong students studying in universities in the UK.

     Speaking at the concert, Deputy Director-General of the London ETO Ms Amy Wong said that it is the London ETO's great pleasure to enable young performers from Hong Kong to showcase their musical talent in London. The Mockingbird's enchanting performance exemplifies Hong Kong's unique blend of Eastern and Western influences, making it an ideal hub for international cultural exchanges as supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

     Ms Wong added that Hong Kong has a bustling schedule of arts and cultural events throughout the year. Just this month, the Hong Kong Art March has been staged, covering a wide range of events including art exhibitions, pop and film events and cultural summits. In April, Hong Kong will launch the second Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival. The first Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo in October will also provide a comprehensive platform for showcasing top-notch performing arts productions and enhancing exchanges to create business opportunities for these programmes and creative talent. These events highlight the diverse arts and cultural offerings in Hong Kong.

     The Mockingbird is an a cappella group founded in 2009 by Hong Kong students studying in universities in the UK. The group have staged performances across different cities in the UK including London, Manchester and Cambridge.

      

     The Chief Executive has reappointed five serving members of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), including Dr Johnnie Chan Chi-kau, Ms Cleresa Wong Pie-yue, Ms Serena Lau Sze-wan, Mr Alan Man Hoi-leung and Ms Ann Au Chor-kwan, and appointed four new members to the HA from April 1, 2024, for a two-year term.

     The new HA members are:

Ms Jeny Yeung Mei-chun
Mr Rex Wong Siu-han
Professor Francis Chan Ka-leung
Ms Kelly Chan Yuen-sau

     "I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the two retiring HA members, Mr Raymond Chan Yuk-ming and Ms Cissy Chan Ching-sze, for their invaluable contributions to the HA's governance, estate management and construction programme over the years. I also welcome the new HA members, and look forward to working closely with them in taking forward public housing developments," said the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho.

     The membership of the HA from April 1, 2024, is as follows:

Chairman
———–
Secretary for Housing
 
Vice-chairman
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Director of Housing

Non-official members
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Ms Melissa Pang
Mr Shiu Ka-fai
Dr Johnnie Chan Chi-kau
Ms Cleresa Wong Pie-yue
Mr Anthony Chiu Kwok-wai
Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi
Mr Lau Chun-kong
Ms Clara Chan Yuen-shan
Ms Serena Lau Sze-wan
Mr Alan Man Hoi-leung
Ms Ann Au Chor-kwan
Mr Chris Ip Ngo-tung
Dr Lo Wai-kwok
Ms Judy Chan Kapui
Ms Carmen Kan Wai-mun
Mr Tang Ka-piu
Ms Jeny Yeung Mei-chun
Mr Rex Wong Siu-han
Professor Francis Chan Ka-leung
Ms Kelly Chan Yuen-sau

Official members
——————-
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury)
Director of Lands