HKMC's record HK$25.3 billion public benchmark bond issuance
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) announced today (November 25) the successful issuance of its multi-currency public benchmark bonds totalling HK$25.3 billion (or US$3.3 billion equivalent) (Issuance) under its US$30 billion Medium Term Note Programme.
Following a series of effective investor roadshows, the Issuance was book-built and priced in Hong Kong on November 18, 2025. The landmark Issuance was the HKMC's largest-ever public bond offering, breaking its own record set in October 2024 when it launched its third social bonds of HK$23.8 billion equivalent.
The multi-currency benchmark bond issuance with four tranches comprises HK$10 billion 2-year, CNH 5 billion 3-year and US$1 billion 5-year bonds in conventional bond format; and a 30-year HK$2 billion bond in social bond format. The Issuance was well received by a diverse group of high-quality local, Southbound Bond Connect and international institutional investors, including multilateral development banks, government-related funds, banks, insurance companies, MPF and pension funds, asset management companies and private banks, with a combined peak orderbook of around HK$80 billion equivalent and final allocation to around 250 accounts.
The 30-year Hong Kong dollar (HKD) social bond tranche is the largest-ever 30-year HKD bond issuance in Hong Kong, and also the first-ever social bond issuance in Asia Pacific with proceeds being used to support the HKMC's Reverse Mortgage Programme (RMP) that provides essential financing for the elderly in Hong Kong. Major terms of the Issuance are highlighted in the Annex.
The RMP is one of the "HKMC Retire 3" products offering retirement planning solution for elderly homeowners to unlock the values of their properties to provide a supplementary cashflow, thereby helping the elderly to maintain their quality of life during retirement, and to meet healthcare and other livelihood needs. As at end-October 2025, the HKMC has received 8 776 applications under the programme with an average property value of around HK$5.5 million and average monthly payout of around HK$15,900. The average age of borrowers was 69 years old.
Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Executive Director of the HKMCMr Howard Leesaid, "This landmark multi-currency bond issuance has further solidified Hong Kong's position as Asia's leading international bond issuance hub and the premier offshore Renminbi business centre. The Issuance also further underscored the HKMC's role in fostering the development of public bond market across various currencies and tenors, paving the way for other issuers to better connect with local, Chinese Mainland and overseas investors."
Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the HKMC, Mr Colin Pou,said, "This record-breaking bond issuance has proven to be highly effective in bringing new investors to the Hong Kong capital market. It was also a testament to investors' unwavering confidence in Hong Kong and the HKMC. Moreover, the first-ever social bond tranche dedicated for reverse mortgage loans not only promoted sustainable financing and financial inclusion for the elderly, but also made contribution to the development of retirement planning market and silver economy in Hong Kong."
The HKMC appreciates the professional advice and tremendous support from the Joint Global Coordinators, Joint Bookrunners, Joint Lead Managers and the Joint Structuring Banks, which comprised a total of 29 local and international financial institutions, in making the Issuance successful. The list of participated financial institutions is set out at the Annex.
The social bond tranche was issued pursuant to the HKMC's Social, Green and Sustainability Financing Framework (SGS Framework). Details of the SGS Framework, the Second-Party Opinion for the SGS Framework, and the Pre-issuance Second-Party Opinion report for the transaction are available at www.hkmc.com.hk/eng/investor_relations/sustainable_finance.html.
Source: AI-found images
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Eastern |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
9.1% |
1.4 |
Islands |
Tung Chung |
2.0% |
1.0 |
Kowloon City |
Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan |
6.7% |
1.5 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
2.2% |
2.0 |
Tai Po West |
15.5% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun South |
9.1% |
1.4 |
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Central and Western |
Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui |
16.8% |
1.3 |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
15.4% |
1.0 |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
18.9% |
1.4 |
Southern |
Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau |
20.8% |
1.7 |
Sha Tin |
Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan |
18.3% |
1.4 |
Tsuen Wan |
Tsuen Wan Town |
6.9% |
2.3 |
The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.
For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
