Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Monetary Statistics for July 2025 Total loans and advances decreased by 1.1 per cent in July, while increased by 1.3 per cent in the year to end-July. 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 1.7 per cent respectively in July. The Hong Kong dollar loan-to-deposit ratio increased to 73.1 per cent at the end of July from 72.0 per cent at the end of June, as Hong Kong dollar deposits decreased at a faster pace than Hong Kong dollar loans.
Hong Kong dollar M2 and M3 both decreased by 1.8 per cent in July, while both increased by 6.2 per cent when compared to a year ago. The seasonally-adjusted Hong Kong dollar M1 decreased by 2.3 per cent in July, while increased by 18.5 per cent compared to a year ago, reflecting in part investment-related activities. Total M2 and total M3 both increased by 0.1 per cent in July. Compared to a year earlier, total M2 and total M3 both increased by 10.8 per cent.
As monthly monetary statistics are subject to volatilities due to a wide range of transient factors, such as seasonal funding demand as well as business and investment-related activities, caution is required when interpreting the statistics. Issued at HKT 16:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Residential Mortgage Survey Results for July 2025 The number of mortgage applications in July increased month-on-month by 4.9 per cent to 9 005.
Mortgage loans approved in July increased by 11.2 per cent compared with June to HK$30.6 billion. Among these, mortgage loans financing primary market transactions increased by 16.4 per cent to HK$10.8 billion and those financing secondary market transactions increased by 10.5 per cent to HK$16.6 billion. Mortgage loans for refinancing decreased by 0.2 per cent to HK$3.2 billion.
Mortgage loans drawn down during July increased by 3 per cent compared with June to HK$18.2 billion.
The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to HIBOR increased from 94.7 per cent in June to 95.7 per cent in July. The ratio of new mortgage loans priced with reference to best lending rates decreased from 1.7 per cent in June to 1.2 per cent in July.
The outstanding value of mortgage loans increased month-on-month by 0.1 per cent to HK$1,887.3 billion at end-July.
The mortgage delinquency ratio stood at a low level of 0.13 per cent and the rescheduled loan ratio was unchanged at nearly 0 per cent. Issued at HKT 16:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government’s financial results for four months ended July 31, 2025
July 31, 2025 HK$ millionJuly 31, 2025 HK$ millionand repayment of Government Bondsissuance of Government BondsGovernment Bonds*and repayment of Government BondsGovernment Debts as at July 31, 2025 (Note 3) HK$328,747 million Debts Guaranteed by Government as at July 31, 2025 (Note 4) HK$119,577 million
TABLE 2. FISCAL RESERVES
July 31, 2025 HK$ millionJuly 31, 2025 HK$ millionissuance and repayment of Government Bonds(Note 5)Notes:
1. This Account consolidates the General Revenue Account and the following eight Funds: Capital Works Reserve Fund, Capital Investment Fund, Civil Service Pension Reserve Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, Innovation and Technology Fund, Land Fund, Loan Fund and Lotteries Fund. It excludes the Bond Fund, the balance of which is not part of the fiscal reserves. The Bond Fund balance as at July 31, 2025, was HK$216,302 million.
2. Includes transactions with the Exchange Fund and resident banks.
3. The Government Debts, with proceeds credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund, comprise:
(i) the Green Bonds (equivalent to HK$192,885 million as at July 31, 2025) issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme. They were denominated in US dollars (US$10,950 million with maturity from January 2026 to January 2053), euros (5,580 million euros with maturity from February 2026 to November 2041), Renminbi (RMB32,000 million with maturity from February 2026 to July 2054) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$22,000 million with maturity from February 2026 to October 2026);
(ii) the Infrastructure Bonds (equivalent to HK$81,272 million as at July 31, 2025) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. They were denominated in Renminbi (RMB25,750 million with maturity from December 2025 to June 2055) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$53,230 million with maturity from November 2025 to June 2055); and
(iii) the Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$54,590 million (with maturity in October 2027 and may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme.
They do not include the outstanding bonds with nominal value of HK$167,936 million and alternative bonds with nominal value of US$1,000 million (equivalent to HK$7,850 million as at July 31, 2025) issued under the Government Bond Programme with proceeds credited to the Bond Fund. Of these bonds under the Government Bond Programme (including Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$95,936 million, which may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders), bonds with nominal value of HK$1,500 million were repaid upon maturity on August 15, 2025; bonds with nominal value of HK$65,389 million will mature within the period from September 2025 to July 2026, and the rest within the period from August 2026 to May 2042.
4. Includes guarantees provided under the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2001, the Special Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2008, the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme launched in 2012, and the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Cross-boundary Passenger Transport Trade, the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Battery Electric Taxis and the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Travel Sector launched in 2023.
5. Includes HK$249,801 million, being the balance of the Land Fund held in the name of “Future Fund”, for long-term investments up to December 31, 2030. The Future Fund also includes HK$4,800 million, being one-third of the actual surplus in 2015-16 as top-up. Issued at HKT 16:30
Remarks by Director General David Cheng-Ｗei Wu at the Opening Ceremony of the Security Expo 2025 – Taiwan SEC
The Security Expo 2025 is more than a showcase of the advanced security technologies, and it also represents a crucial intersection of security and innovation in our modern society.
It’s worth noting the foresight of the Australian government in this area. The Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program (CIRMP), introduced at the end of 2023-2024, has strengthened requirements for both cyber and physical security. This has increased demand for security services and created significant opportunities for technology providers. This exhibition’s focus on physical security, cybersecurity, surveillance, and emergency response systems perfectly aligns with the current needs of the Australian market.
Taiwan is also facing the above mentioned challenges. President Lai Ching-te initiated the “Five Trusted Industry Sectors”, including semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications——that will not only strengthen Taiwan’s key position in global supply chains and forge closer ties with democratic partners, like Australia, but will also boost Taiwan’s competitiveness across all sectors, and reinforce the nation’s overall security and resilience.
So Taiwan’s security industry is more than just a product supplier or service provider, Taiwan is also a trustworthy partner in safeguarding the way of life and our treasured values.
In addition, Director Angela Kuo of the Economic Division, TECO in Australia not only outlined the development of Taiwan’s smart security industry but also specifically called on all sectors in Australia to support Taiwan’s participation in the CPTPP
MOFA response to false claims by South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lamola
Date：2025-08-28
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs
August 28, 2025
During a media briefing on August 27, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola made the false claims that Taiwan’s representative offices around the globe are situated in commercial cities, that no Taiwanese representative office existed in Washington, DC, and that the act of unilaterally compelling the relocation of Taiwan’s representative office in South Africa was therefore part of a global phenomenon in line with UN protocols and the Vienna Convention. These claims were intended to justify South Africa’s unilateral abandonment of a 1997 bilateral agreement that would downgrade Taiwan’s representative office by renaming it the “Taipei Commercial Office” and wrongly force the office to move.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes Minister Lamola’s claims, which not only contradicted reality but also highlighted South Africa’s grave lack of knowledge and misunderstanding of the international situation.
When Taiwan has established a representative office anywhere in the world, the office has been established in the capital city in accordance with both international norms and bilateral agreements signed with the host country. In the United States, for example, in addition to the operation of Taiwan’s representative office in Washington, DC, local exchanges are promoted by 12 other offices spread across the nation.
MOFA strongly urges Minister Lamola to recognize Taiwan’s interactions with other countries, stop spreading false information that may mislead the international community, return to a position of rationality and reality, and engage in negotiations with Taiwan on an equal and respectful footing.
At present, Taiwan’s representative office in South Africa is maintaining normal operations in the capital of Pretoria and continues to provide necessary services to its nationals, including businesspeople and overseas compatriots.
MOFA response to German Foreign Minister Wadephul citing UN Charter to oppose use of force in Taiwan Strait during joint press conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya
Date：2025-08-20
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
August 20, 2025
On August 18, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul met with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya for the first Germany-Japan strategic dialogue. During the joint press conference following the meeting, Minister Wadephul stated that Germany and Japan shared common security interests in the Indo-Pacific, including the Taiwan Strait and the South and East China Seas. He expressed concern over tensions in the Indo-Pacific and China’s repeated open threats to unilaterally change the status quo. He also remarked that the UN Charter’s explicit prohibition of the use of force applied to these regions. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung deeply appreciates and welcomes Minister Wadephul’s statements.
Moreover, in a press release issued on August 17, prior to Minister Wadephul’s visit to Japan and Indonesia, the German Federal Foreign Office pointed out that China’s increasingly aggressive stance in the Taiwan Strait and in the East and South China Seas had consequences for Europe, and that basic rules of global cooperation were at stake. It added that Europe was countering this and remained committed to safeguarding an international order based on laws and rules.
Minister Wadephul’s renewed citing of the UN Charter’s prohibition of the use of force while reiterating his stance on peace in the Taiwan Strait demonstrates that cross-strait peace and stability align with the interests of Germany and like-minded countries and are a matter of international consensus. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work with Germany and other democratic countries to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, defend democracy and freedom, and uphold the rules-based international order.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation:
The Committee on Home-School Co-operation (CHSC) will release the online version (in Chinese and English) of the Primary School Profiles 2025 on September 1 (next Monday). All kindergartens and kindergarten-cum-child care centres in the territory will distribute the printed version of the Profiles to parents with children at the K3 level of the 2025/26 school year.
The Profiles cover basic information of more than 500 local primary schools including school missions, school facilities, teaching staff information, class structures, performance assessments, school life, school characteristics and student support. The information is provided and verified by relevant schools, showing their situations as at April 2025. Schools can update the online version of the Profiles whenever necessary so that parents can obtain the most up-to-date school information.
The Profiles provide essential school information and a “Message from CHSC Chairman”, which states the key points for choosing schools to help parents choose a suitable school for their children.
The Profiles are divided by districts. Parents of children who will study at the Primary One level in September 2026 will receive a copy of either the Chinese or English printed version of the Profiles for their districts of residence through their respective kindergartens or kindergarten-cum-child care centres. For children not attending kindergartens or kindergarten-cum-child care centres, parents may obtain a copy of their respective district from the School Places Allocation Section of the Education Bureau (EDB).
The public can access the online version of the Profiles by visiting the Primary School Profiles webpage (www.chsc.hk/primary/en). Copies of the printed version will be available for public reference at District Offices, public libraries and Regional Education Offices of the EDB.
For enquiries, please call the EDB’s Regional Education Offices (Hong Kong: 2863 4646; Kowloon: 3698 4108; New Territories East: 2639 4876; and New Territories West: 2437 7272) or the CHSC Secretariat at 3698 4376.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said today (August 29) that all Hong Kong children born on or before December 31, 2020, are eligible to join the Primary One Admission (POA) System for admission to Primary One (P1) in September 2026 provided they have not attended any primary schools and have never been allocated a P1 place.
Digitalisation of POA
——————-
In line with the Smart Government strategy, the EDB has fully digitalised POA. Parents who have registered as POA e-platform (ePOA) users and bound their account to “iAM Smart+” may submit applications and check the results for discretionary places and Central Allocation online via ePOA. The EDB encourages parents to register with “iAM Smart+” (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) as early as possible for more convenient and faster P1 school place allocation services.
Submission of applications for discretionary places
——————-
At the Discretionary Places Admission stage, parents can submit an application to any government or aided primary school, and the school choice is not restricted to the school net in which the child resides. Parents who wish to apply for a POA discretionary place in a government or aided primary school should submit an application via ePOA (epoa.edb.gov.hk) from September 18 to 26. Please refer to the related videos and Parent’s Guide on the EDB’s website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/poa_eplatform/index.html) for details of the procedures for creating an ePOA account and submitting applications for discretionary places via ePOA.
If parents choose to submit paper application forms, they may obtain the Application Form for Admission to Primary One, Notes on How to Complete the Application Form for Admission to Primary One, POA information leaflet, etc, from their children’s kindergartens or kindergarten-cum-child care centres, District Offices (Home Affairs Enquiry Centres), and the Regional Education Offices and School Places Allocation Section of the EDB from next Monday (September 1). They should submit the completed application form together with all supporting documents directly to the school during school office hours between September 22 and 26. Parents who are unable to submit the application form in person may authorise in writing a representative to bring along the above-mentioned documents to the school on their behalf.
The spokesman reminded that irrespective of whether the application is submitted via ePOA or in paper form, parents should submit only one application for their child. If parents have applied to more than one government or aided primary school, their application for a POA discretionary place will be rendered void. In addition, parents should not submit duplicate applications via ePOA and in paper form for the same child. Parents who wish to enrol their children in Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) primary schools or private primary schools (including international schools) should apply directly to those schools as they are not included in the POA System. Parents should also note that children who have accepted the offer of P1 places in DSS primary schools will not be allocated P1 places in government or aided primary schools through the POA System.
Application for Central Allocation only
——————-
If parents are applying only for the POA Central Allocation, they should submit an application to the EDB via ePOA or in paper form on or before January 23, 2026. For submission of paper forms, they should return the completed application form and supporting documents to the School Places Allocation Section (Primary One Admission) of the EDB at Podium Floor, West Block, Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong.
Residential address
——————-
“When completing the POA Application Form, parents should fill in the actual residential address of their child. If a false address is given by parents to secure a P1 place for their child under the POA System, the application will be rendered void and the P1 place allocated will be withdrawn. If a false instrument has been used or a false statutory declaration has been made in the application, the offender is liable on conviction to imprisonment for 14 years or imprisonment for two years and to a fine respectively under the Crimes Ordinance. Suspected cases of using a false address for POA applications may be reported to the School Places Allocation Section by calling its hotline at 2832 7700,” the EDB spokesman said.
Enquiries
——————-
The information leaflet for POA 2026 is available on the EDB’s website for parents’ reference. Other details of POA and the discretionary places quota of each school will be available from next Monday (September 1) on the EDB’s website and 24-hour Automatic Telephone Enquiry System at 2891 0088.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 29) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 7 000 food samples tested (including food items purchased online) were found to be satisfactory except for 11 unsatisfactory samples that were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.8 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said that about 2 000 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 5 000 samples were taken for chemical and radiation level tests.
The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygiene indicators; the chemical tests included testing for pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others; and the radiation-level tests included testing for radioactive caesium and iodine in samples collected from imported food from different regions.
The samples comprised about 2 200 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 600 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 700 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 1 400 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 800 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 1 300 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).
The 11 unsatisfactory samples comprised a black cod sample detected with a metallic contaminant exceeding the legal limit, three choi sum samples, two mango samples and a tomato sample detected with pesticide residues exceeding the legal limits, an imported frozen pork sample detected with a veterinary drug residue exceeding the legal limit, a prepackaged bamboo fungi sample detected with sulphur dioxide exceeding the legal limit, an imported prepackaged frozen confection sample detected with a total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit, and a frozen yoghurt sample detected with coliform bacteria and total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limits.
The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the above-mentioned unsatisfactory samples, including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, instructing them to stop selling the affected food items, and tracing the sources of the food items in question.
The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for human consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.
Separately, in response to the Japanese Government’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the CFS will continue enhancing the testing on imported Japanese food, and make reference to the risk assessment results to adjust relevant surveillance work in a timely manner. The CFS will announce every working day on its dedicated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/daily_japan_nuclear_incidents.html) the radiological test results of the samples of food imported from Japan, with a view to enabling the trade and members of the public to have a better grasp of the latest safety information.