MR YIU SI-WING (in Cantonese):

FPS should provide convenience to not only members of the public but also overseas tourists so that Hong Kong will, as mentioned by the Chief Executive of HKMA, become one of the few leading regions in the international arena in this aspect. To this end, the Secretary pointed out in part (3) of the main reply that to provide greater convenience to both merchants and customers, HKMA and the industry have established a working group on common QR code standard so that customers can make payments through different SVFs. May I ask the Secretary whether the scope of the study of the working group will include overseas tourists? In particular, now Mainland tourists are used to electronic payment. Will the authorities provide them with more convenience in respect of the means of payment for retail and transport services? If they will do so, what are the details; if not, what are the reasons?

SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE TREASURY (in Cantonese): 

President, I need to briefly explain the standardization of QR codes. At present, be it overseas or in Hong Kong, different SVF operators have different QR codes. If the same merchant needs to accept payments from three different operators, there will be three QR codes. To use a certain operator's SVF, he will have to scan a certain QR code. This is the existing problem. For this reason, we wish to provide convenience, covering tourists, visitors and foreigners, especially those who are accustomed to using means of payment with QR codes. We are currently discussing with the operators concerned because these foreign operators also have licences for the operation of SVFs in Hong Kong. Regarding the QR codes used in Hong Kong, we will devise a standard so that when a customer makes payment in a certain shop or company, he will be able to use the same QR code regardless of which SVF he uses, be it SVFA, SVFB or SVFC. Hence, this will certainly bring convenience to tourists. As I mentioned just now, during our consultation, we have discussed with the SVF operators in Hong Kong, including a few major overseas and Mainland operators. So this can absolutely provide convenience to tourists.