Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 20) conducted a special operation codenamed "First Clap" and smashed a counterfeiting syndicate in Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok. Five fixed hawker pitches and five storage facilities of suspected counterfeit goods were raided. A total of about 5 000 suspected counterfeit goods including handbags, wallets and scarves with an estimated market value of about $3 million were seized.

     Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of counterfeit goods at fixed hawker pitches in Mong Kok. With the assistance of the trademark owner and after an in-depth investigation, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided five fixed hawker pitches and five storage facilities. The batch of suspected counterfeit goods, as well as three tablets for displaying photos of suspected counterfeit goods, were seized.

     During the operation, three men and three women were arrested, including two syndicate heads and four members, aged from 16 to 48. 

     Investigation is ongoing.

     The Divisional Commander (Intellectual Property General Investigation), Ms Peggy Tam, said at a press conference today (February 21) that Customs would continue to step up inspection and enforcement to combat the sale of counterfeit goods. She reminded consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. She also reminded traders to be cautious and prudent in merchandising, since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are subject to criminal liability.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 20) seized about 26 000 suspected illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products with an estimated market value of about $70,000 and a duty potential of about $50,000 at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Osaka, Japan, yesterday night. During Customs clearance, the suspected illicit HNB products were found inside his luggage. The man was arrested for failing to declare HNB products in excess of duty-free concession to a Customs Officer.

     The arrested man is 38 years old. Investigation is ongoing.

     In 2019, nine incoming passengers were arrested at the HKIA for failing to make a declaration of HNB products in excess of duty-free concessions to Customs officers. About 290,000 suspected illicit HNB products with an estimated market value of about $800,000 and duty potential of about $600,000 were seized.

     Customs reminds members of the public that under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), tobacco products are dutiable goods to which DCO applies. Any HNB products containing tobacco in content are also dutiable goods subject to the control of DCO. Any person who possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid license commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years. Members of the public may call the Customs' hotline 2815 7711 regarding whether specific tobacco or a smoking product is under the regulation of the DCO.

     â€‹Members of the public may also report any suspected violation of the DCO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     In response to the Government's announcement, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Norman Chan, makes the following remarks:
 
     "It has been a great honour for me to work with colleagues at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to safeguard Hong Kong's monetary and financial stability, as well as to enhance our competitiveness and position as an international financial centre.

     "Having worked for 43 years after graduation, I felt that now is the right time for me to retire and spend more time with my family.

     "I will be fully committed to the tasks on hand in the coming seven months, including a smooth transition of leadership, to ensure the continued effective operation of the HKMA."

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for November 2018 – January 2019) released today (February 21) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 2.8% in November 2018 – January 2019, same as that in October – December 2018. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.1% in the two periods.

     Comparing November 2018 – January 2019 with October – December 2018, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but were generally small in magnitude.

     Total employment in November 2018 – January 2019 was 3 872 600, the same as that in October – December 2018 (3 872 600). The labour force decreased by around 3 600 from 3 978 000 in October – December 2018 to 3 974 400 in November 2018 – January 2019.

     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 3 600 from 105 400 in October – December 2018 to 101 800 in November 2018 – January 2019. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased by around 2 300 from 44 500 to 42 200.

Commentary
 
     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong said, "The labour market stayed tight in November 2018 – January 2019, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate holding steady at 2.8%. The underemployment rate was likewise unchanged at 1.1%."

     "When compared to the preceding three-month period, movements in unemployment rates varied across sectors, but were generally small in magnitude. Yet on a year-on-year basis, the unemployment situation in many major service sectors continued to improve. In particular, the unemployment rates in the retail, and accommodation and food services sectors recorded notable declines on the back of visible expansion in inbound tourism."

     Looking ahead, Dr Law said, "While the labour market will likely remain tight in the near term, the employment outlook for the rest of 2019 will hinge on how the various external uncertainties evolve. The Government will stay vigilant and monitor the developments closely."
 
     He noted that the Labour Department (LD) assists young school leavers aged 15 to 24 with educational attainment at sub-degree level or below to find jobs through the comprehensive training and employment support provided under the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP). Through the YETP, LD also organises various recruitment activities and collaborates with training bodies and employers to launch different special employment projects, with a view to enhancing the employability of young people.

     On large-scale job fairs, LD will organise the Leap into a New Page Job Expo on March 5 and 6, 2019 at the Hong Kong Productivity Council Building in Kowloon Tong. More than 50 employers and organisations will participate, offering a large number of vacancies suitable for young people with post-secondary education. LD will also stage the "Mong Kok Job Expo – Building a Multi-culture Workplace" on March 18 and 19 at the MacPherson Stadium. Over 90 employers, nine training bodies and the Race Relations Unit of the Home Affairs Department will participate. In addition, industry-based or district-based job fairs are regularly organised at LD's industry-based recruitment centres and job centres located across the territory.

Further information

     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.

     The survey for November 2018 – January 2019 covered a sample of some 25 000 households or 74 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.

     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.

     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization.

     Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the publication contains statistics for the quarter July – September 2018 while the next issue covering the quarter October – December 2018 will be available by end February 2019. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp200.jsp?productCode=B1050001).

     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the Household Statistics Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

     The Government announced today (February 21) that the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Norman Chan, would retire from his post on October 1, 2019.

     In making this announcement, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, thanked Mr Chan for his outstanding contributions and dedicated service over the past 10 years as Chief Executive of the HKMA.

     "Norman has been leading the HKMA since 2009 and has worked tirelessly over the years to strengthen the city's monetary and banking systems and promote Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre in Asia. I respect his wish and decision to retire upon completion of his second term as Chief Executive of the HKMA," Mr Chan said.

     "In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the world has been focusing on reforming the international financial system to increase its resilience against future shocks. Norman has played a pivotal role in the international financial system reform agenda." 
      
     Mr Paul Chan said Hong Kong has sound and robust monetary and banking systems. The change in leadership of the HKMA would not affect the operation of the HKMA or the stability of the financial system.

     The Financial Secretary is chairing a Selection Panel to identify the next Chief Executive of the HKMA. Members of the Selection Panel are Dr Victor Fung, Professor Lawrence Lau, Mr Brian Stevenson and Mr Joseph Yam. A separate announcement will be made after the completion of the selection process.