The Thematic Household Survey Report No. 69 is published by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (March 26).

     This publication contains key findings on personal computer (PC) and Internet penetration based on the Thematic Household Survey conducted during April to July 2019.

     The survey results showed that 94.1% of households had access to the Internet at home in 2019, up from 92.3% in 2018.  Among these households, smartphone was the most popular type of device used for Internet connection at home (99.7%), whereas personal computer (PC) came next (82.4%). 

     Usage of the Internet has been on the rise. The percentage of persons aged 10 and over who had used the Internet during the 12 months before enumeration increased to 91.7% in 2019, from 90.5% in 2018. In particular, the increase was substantial among persons aged 65 and over (from 56.3% to 62.2%).

     Continually more people had knowledge of using PC. The percentage of persons aged 10 and over who had knowledge of using PC was 88.3% in 2019, up from 85.1% in 2018. The increase was particularly remarkable among persons aged 65 and over (from 40.8% to 52.2%).

     Findings of the survey also showed that smartphone had become more popular. Some 5.97 million persons aged 10 and over had smartphone in 2019, around 0.16 million more than that in 2018. The smartphone penetration rate rose from 89.8% in 2018 to 91.5% in 2019. The increase was particularly remarkable among the elderly. About 2 in 3 persons aged 65 and over had smartphone in 2019, compared to only around 3 in 5 persons aged 65 and over in 2018.
  
Other information

     The survey successfully enumerated target respondents in some 10 000 households in accordance with a scientific sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.

     Detailed findings of the survey, together with the population coverage and concepts/definitions of key terms, are presented in the publication. Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp140.jsp?productCode=B1130201).

     Enquiries about the contents of the publication can be directed to the Social Surveys Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5103 or email: thematic@censtatd.gov.hk).

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (March 26) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of low pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza in the Chesterfield County of the State of South Carolina in the United States (US) and a notification from the General Veterinary Inspectorate, Poland about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in the SulÄ™ciÅ„ski District of Lubuskie in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from the above areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong imported about 690 tonnes of chilled poultry meat, 257 970 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and 642 million poultry eggs from the US and imported about 17 720 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and 34.26 million poultry eggs from Poland last year, according to the Census and Statistics Department.

     "The CFS has contacted the US and Polish authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE and the relevant authorities on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     The Government announced today (March 26) the following senior appointments:

(a) Captain Victor Liu Chi-yung, Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation, will take up the post of Director-General of Civil Aviation when Mr Simon Li Tin-chui commences his pre-retirement leave on April 9, 2020.

(b) Mr Joseph Leung Wai-hung, Deputy Director of Fire Services, will take up the post of Director of Fire Services on April 18, 2020 when Mr Li Kin-yat commences his pre-retirement leave.

     Commenting on the appointment of Captain Liu, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, said, "Captain Liu has extensive professional knowledge and experience in civil aviation. I am confident that he will lead the Civil Aviation Department to rise up to the challenges ahead." 
 
     On the retirement of Mr Simon Li, Mr Law said, "Mr Li has served with dedication in the civil service throughout the past 37 years. He has been committed to maintaining Hong Kong's status as an international and regional aviation hub. In particular, he has made exemplary contributions to take forward the work of the Civil Aviation Department under the Three-Runway System Project and enhance air cargo safety as well as Hong Kong's leading status in the international aviation industry. I sincerely wish him a happy retirement."
 
     Commenting on the appointment of Mr Leung, Mr Law said, "Mr Leung has abundant experience in the Fire Services Department and possesses proven leadership and management skills. I am confident that he will be able to lead the Fire Services Department to meet the challenges ahead."
 
     On the retirement of Mr Li Kin-yat, Mr Law said, "Mr Li has served with zeal and commitment in the civil service throughout the past 37 years. As the Director of Fire Services, Mr Li has made sustained efforts in enhancing firefighting and rescue capabilities of the Fire Services Department, and in promoting fire safety in the community as well as providing efficient emergency ambulance services to the public. I sincerely wish him a fulfilling and happy retirement."
 
     Brief biographical notes on the four officers are set out below:
 
Mr Simon Li Tin-chui
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     Mr Li joined the Civil Aviation Department as Assistant Operations Officer in February 1983 and was promoted to Chief Operations Officer in May 1998. He was promoted to Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation in August 2010 and to Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation in April 2015 before being appointed as Director-General of Civil Aviation in May 2016.
 
Captain Victor Liu Chi-yung
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     Captain Liu joined the Social Welfare Department as Assistant Social Work Officer in February 1990 and was appointed as Executive Officer II in November 1990. He joined the Civil Aviation Department as Assistant Operations Officer in March 1992 and was promoted to Chief Operations Officer in August 2006. He was promoted to Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation in July 2011, and was appointed as Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation in May 2016.
 
Mr Li Kin-yat
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     Mr Li joined the Fire Services Department as Station Officer in August 1983 and was promoted to Deputy Chief Fire Officer in May 2009, to Chief Fire Officer in October 2011 and to Deputy Director of Fire Services in December 2014 before being appointed as Director of Fire Services in August 2016.
 
Mr Joseph Leung Wai-hung
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     Mr Joseph Leung joined the Fire Services Department as Station Officer in September 1985. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Fire Officer in October 2013 and to Chief Fire Officer in July 2015. He has been Deputy Director of Fire Services since August 2016.

    

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, March 26, 2020 is 109.3 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     A sick 59-year-old male person in custody at Stanley Prison died in a public hospital yesterday (March 25).
 
     The person in custody suffered from diabetes mellitus. He required continuous medical care and follow-up at the institution hospital and a public hospital. In mid-December 2019, he was sent to the public hospital for treatment due to physical discomfort and suspected stroke. During hospitalisation, his condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 8.45pm yesterday.

     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner's Court.

     The person in custody was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug in July 2016.