Lawmaker urges prevention of further “banknotes chaos”

As Bank of China plans to release a second batch of “dragon notes” to commemorate the Lunar New Year of the dragon, a lawmaker yesterday urged the authority to take action to prevent further chaos in exchanging for the new banknotes which were considered to be “auspicious”.
In an oral enquiry, lawmaker Chan Wai Chi said that as the second batch of “dragon notes” was due to be released later this year, the government should take steps to prevent a similar chaotic situation as earlier this year when the first batch was released.
Long queues were seen outside the banks’ branches and many citizens complained about the arrangements by the bank as well as unfair treatment of some of the banks’ clients and account holders.
In response, the bank said last month it was mulling identity registration as a prerequisite for further exchange.
Chan also asked about the measures the government would take to ensure fairness in further issuing of the MOP 10 notes.
According to the banks’ announcement, they will be issuing 20 million new “dragon notes” in the second batch later this year.
The lawmaker also wanted the government to explain what lessons it drew from the exchange of the first batch and improvements for further issuing arrangements.