The HKMA has launched a new Online Learning service and a new and expanded Guide to Hong Kong Monetary and Banking Terms.
This month sees the introduction of two new initiatives in our efforts to explain the work of the HKMA and the operation of Hong Kong's financial and monetary systems to the public.
Online Learning, which has just been launched on the HKMA website, is designed to provide a lively and interesting way for members of the public, especially young people, to understand our work and the financial and monetary systems of Hong Kong. Because these systems are often seen as technical and specialised, we have tried to present them in a way that everyone can understand without oversimplifying them. Online Learning replaces and expands the previous education programme on the HKMA website.
Online Learning consists of five zones:
The work of the HKMA introduces the main policy objectives of the HKMA - keeping the Hong Kong dollar and the banking system stable, managing Hong Kong's official reserves, and ensuring that money moves around the economy smoothly. There is also a topical section that focuses on issues of topical interest: the focus at present is the recently launched Deposit Protection Scheme. Topics will change to reflect the latest issues of interest and new initiatives.
Hong Kong Notes and Coins traces the development of currency in Hong Kong and shows how Hong Kong's monetary system has developed over the years. There is also a section on notes in circulation, with video and interactive elements, to illustrate banknote security features.
Historical Timeline is an online version of the historical timeline that runs along the main wall of the HKMA Information Centre. The timeline traces the history of Hong Kong's monetary and banking systems from 1842 to the present and sets it against the general history of Hong Kong, the region and the world.
Game Corner presents our work through a series of interesting computer programmes and quizzes aimed mainly, but not exclusively, at younger visitors. They contain e-banking security, how money flows in the economic system and the work of the HKMA.
Library Catalogue contains all the titles available at the HKMA Library, situated in the HKMA Information Centre, which houses more than 20,000 books and periodicals. The Library contains materials for the study of Hong Kong's monetary, banking and financial affairs and of central banking topics elsewhere in the world. Members of the public are welcome to visit the Library (a non-lending facility) and use its services.
The second initiative is a new and expanded Guide to Hong Kong Monetary and Banking Terms. First produced in 1999 and revised in 2000, the Guide has recently been revised to include 60 new terms that have been introduced since then. It explains clearly and concisely, in English and Chinese, the terms in common use in our monetary and banking systems. The Guide now contains more than 200 terms and definitions. The Guide is available in booklet form at the Information Centre and can also be consulted in interactive form on the HKMA website. I believe it will be of use to students, professionals and the general public alike.
The HKMA is committed to a policy of transparency and accessibility. Public confidence in our monetary and banking systems is a key factor in their stability, and confidence comes mainly from an understanding of how these systems work. It is therefore essential for us to explain our work as clearly as possible to the public. The new Online Learning and Guide to Hong Kong Monetary and Banking Terms, together with the HKMA Information Centre, the HKMA website and our regular publications and public education programmes, all contribute to ensuring that we are in touch with the community that we serve.
Do visit Online Learning at our website and do come to see us at the Information Centre. And please let us know if you have comments or suggestions at 2878-8196, or by fax at 2878-2010, or email at hkma@hkma.gov.hk.
Joseph Yam
16 November 2006
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