Government launches new batch of Silver Bond
The Government announced today (August 6) the launch of a new batch of Silver Bond for subscription by eligible Hong Kong residents.
The target issuance size of this batch of Silver Bond is HK$50billion, with each unit offered at HK$10,000 and a tenor of three years. Interest will be paid semi-annually at a rate linked to inflation in Hong Kong, subject to a minimum of 4.25 per cent. The Government may exercise discretion to increase the target issuance size to a maximum of HK$55 billion from HK$50 billion, subject to market response. Hong Kong residents who turn 60 in or before 2027 (i.e. those born in 1967 or before) holding a valid Hong Kong Identity Card will be eligible for subscription.
The bonds are offered under the retail part of the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Proceeds will be credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund for investment in infrastructure projects in accordance with the Infrastructure Bond Framework. The Government will provide information on the allocation of the proceeds in the relevant Infrastructure Bond Reports.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government continues to issue Silver Bond this year, offering senior citizens a safe, steady and low-risk investment option while encouraging the financial sector to tap into the business potential of the silver economy. Issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme, proceeds from this batch of Silver Bond will be used to fund public works projects to push ahead Hong Kong's infrastructure and urban development, enhancing people's quality of life while enabling citizens to participate in and benefit from the city's development."
There will be no secondary market for Silver Bond. Bondholders may sell their bonds before maturity to the Government at par together with accrued but unpaid interest. To encourage greater participation from citizens, a maximum allocation of HK$1 million per investor is stipulated, meaning that each investor is allocated 100 units of retail bonds at most.
The subscription period of Silver Bond will start from 9am on August 21 and end at 2pm on September 4. The bonds will be issued on September 15. Eligible Hong Kong residents may apply for the bonds through one of the placing banks and designated securities brokers. The offering terms and subscription arrangements of Silver Bond, including the list of placing banks and designated securities brokers, will be available on the Hong Kong Government Bonds website (www.hkgb.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
FEHD releases seventh batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in July
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 6) released the seventh batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in July, covering 19 survey areas, as follows:
| District | Survey Area | July 2026 |
| Area Gravidtrap Index | Area Density Index |
| Central and Western | Central and Admiralty | 6.7% | 1.1 |
| Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun | 16.1% | 1.6 |
| Southern | Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay | 3.4% | 1.0 |
| Islands | Tung Chung | 1.0% | 1.0 |
| Kowloon City | Ho Man Tin | 8.9% | 1.2 |
| Kwun Tong | Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping | 18.4% | 1.7 |
| Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling | 2.7% | 1.0 |
| Sham Shui Po | Cheung Sha Wan | 32.1% | 1.5 |
| Lai Chi Kok | 9.2% | 1.2 |
| Wong Tai Sin | Diamond Hill and Tsz Wan Shan | 15.0% | 1.0 |
| Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong | 9.2% | 1.5 |
| Wong Tai Sin East | 8.6% | 2.0 |
| North | Fanling South | 14.4% | 1.2 |
| Sai Kung | Sai Kung Town | 2.9% | 1.0 |
| Tseung Kwan O East | 7.5% | 1.5 |
| Tseung Kwan O West | 8.2% | 1.1 |
| Kwai Tsing | Kwai Chung West | 15.6% | 1.0 |
| Tsing Yi North | 10.2% | 1.3 |
| Yuen Long | Hung Shui Kiu and Ping Shan | 3.2% | 1.3 |
The FEHD continues to carry out a series of measures, including:
- interdepartmental collaboration: convening special meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders (such as construction site contractors, schools and property management companies) in strengthening mosquito control work at venues;
- precise risk assessments: carrying out intensive and targeted mosquito control work at locations with more serious mosquito infestations, including stepping up inspections, eliminating mosquito breeding and potential breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations;
- promotion and education: organising exhibitions with relevant departments and stakeholders, and distributing leaflets and posters to enhance public awareness of mosquito control and prevention; and
- rapid alert mechanism: notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, and advising property management companies and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.
During the follow-up actions and following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers at three parks, four public housing estates, four private housing estates, two shopping centres and a public facility in Central and Western District, Kwun Tong District, Sham Shui Po District, North District and Kwai Tsing District, the FEHD has issued a total of 14 statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. Meanwhile, the FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractor and the estate management company following the discovery of mosquito breeding at a construction site and a public housing estate in Sham Shui Po District and Wong Tai Sin District.
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 chikungunya fever (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#).
Source: AI-found images
