The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (June 15) the June 2018 issue of the "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" (HKMDS).

     Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled "The Cultural and Creative Industries in Hong Kong" and "Trade between Hong Kong and the Mainland of China".

"The Cultural and Creative Industries in Hong Kong"

     The cultural and creative industries are among the most dynamic economic sectors in Hong Kong, contributing to both economic growth and job creation. They comprise a set of knowledge-based activities that deploy creativity and intellectual capital as primary inputs and deliver goods and services with cultural, artistic and creative contents. This feature article provides the latest statistics of the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong in 2016.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Construction and Miscellaneous Services Statistics Section, C&SD (Tel: 3903 6962; email: asps@censtatd.gov.hk).

"Trade between Hong Kong and the Mainland of China"

     Hong Kong has maintained a close trading relationship with the mainland of China (the Mainland) for many years. In the past decade, the Mainland was Hong Kong's largest destination of total exports and supplier of imports, on average accounting for 53.2% and 47.0% of Hong Kong's total exports and imports respectively.

     This feature article analyses the performance and highlights the salient features of trade between Hong Kong and the Mainland during the period from 2008 to 2017.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Trade Analysis Section, C&SD (Tel: 2582 5026; email: trade@censtatd.gov.hk).

     Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 140 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp460.jsp?productCode=B1010002).

     Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Services Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after attending a public event today (June 15):

Reporter: Why not a complete ban if it is so risky to health?

Secretary for Food and Health: We are very concerned about e-cigarettes and also the heat-not-burn cigarettes because their components are actually harmful to health. Therefore, the Government has decided to strengthen its regulation. On deciding the direction of regulation or how to strengthen the regulation, first of all, we look into international evidence and local evidence. Secondly, we also revisit how the other countries are doing and what is the recommendation of the World Health Organization and other organisations' recommendations. Thirdly, we also need to look at the local situation to devise a regulation mechanism. Although we understand that there are different opinions about our proposed regulation direction, we continue to receive comments and review the international evidence. We do not preclude if there are any issues or problems with the existing proposed regulation framework. We will further strengthen our regulation.

Reporter: Is it because of the pressure from the tobacco manufacturers that the Government is not considering a complete ban?

Secretary for Food and Health: As a regulatory authority and also the Food and Health Bureau, we stand up to any pressure. The most important thing is public health. To protect public health is our first and foremost responsibility, so we can stand up to any pressure.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, June 15, 2018 is 100.2 (up 0.6 against yesterday's index).

     The Chief Executive has appointed Ms Alice Law as Managing Director of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) and Deputy Chairperson of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Advisory Committee for a period of three years from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021. The appointment was made under sections 6A, 6B and 6R of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485).

     Ms Law was selected through an extensive search that commenced in October 2017 by a selection panel chaired by the Financial Secretary. She has been working with the MPFA since July 2012 as an Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.

     Announcing the appointment today (June 15), the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "Ms Law has extensive regulatory and public service experience. She has played a key role in the implementation of major initiatives to reform the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System. She has also spearheaded a range of initiatives to improve the corporate governance of trustees to protect the interests of scheme members.

     "I would like to thank members of the selection panel who have contributed to the successful completion of the selection exercise," he added.

     Members of the panel are Mr Joseph Yam, Mr Abraham Shek, Dr David Wong Yau-kar, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau.

     Mr Chan also took the opportunity to thank the outgoing Managing Director of the MPFA, Mrs Diana Chan, who has played a key role in leading and steering the MPFA in developing and improving the MPF System which includes the launch of the Default Investment Strategy, the implementation of the Employees' Choice Arrangement and the preparation for the development of eMPF. He wishes her well in her retirement.

Profile of Ms Alice Law
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     Aged 53. Ms Law graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1987, and obtained her Master of Laws degree from the University College London in 1989. After practising as a solicitor between 1991 and 1998, she served in the Securities and Futures Commission from 1998 to 2012, with her last position as Senior Director (Policy, China & Investment Products). She joined the MPFA in 2012 as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, and will assume the position of Managing Director of the MPFA on July 1, 2018.

     To promote reading in the community, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch a three-month trial scheme from July 1 to October 1, extending the opening hours of the following four designated public libraries on Sundays and public holidays. Details are as follows:
 

 
     "After considering factors such as the library usage statistics, the public demand for services and the availability of supporting facilities, the above-mentioned four public libraries of different regions and types are selected for the trial scheme," an LCSD spokesperson said.
 
     "Upon completion of the trial scheme, the LCSD will conduct a review to assess the cost-effectiveness, feasibility, operational arrangements, long-term manpower and financial implications of the new service hours," the spokesman added.
 
     For details, please refer to the attachment or visit www.hkpl.gov.hk.