Hong Kong is ready to freeze any assets it finds of Osama bin Laden and his associates once the drafting of relevant regulations is completed next month, officials said yesterday.
The move was revealed as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued circulars to around 250 banks to be on alert for 27 people and organisations - including bin Laden - the US believes are linked to terror attacks.
The 27 were listed in an executive order issued on Monday by US President George W. Bush, demanding the seizure of all US property of terrorists and their supporters and banning all financial dealings with them.
The monetary authority said in its circulars that the order appeared to apply to US companies, their overseas branches and the US branches of foreign-incorporated institutions, including Hong Kong ones.
It also said it was seeking clarification of the legal implications of the order and reminded all banks to check if they had accounts, transactions or dealings with the 27.
But a spokesman for the authority said last night: 'We're not aware of any accounts related to the 27 entities listed in the order.'
Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said: 'There is no evidence to suggest any funds or accounts related to bin Laden are in Hong Kong.'