The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 23) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for September 2018. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.7% in September 2018 over the same month a year earlier, larger than the corresponding increase (2.3%) in August 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in September 2018 was 3.1%. This increase was also larger than that in August 2018 (2.6%), mainly due to the increases in school fees and the upward adjustment in public housing rentals.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period from July to September 2018 was 0.2%, the same as that for the 3-month period from June to August 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period from July to September 2018 was 0.2%, the same as that for the 3-month period from June to August 2018.

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.3%, 2.5% and 2.4% respectively in September 2018, as compared to 2.5%, 2.2% and 2.0% respectively in August 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.6%, 2.9% and 2.7% respectively in September 2018, as compared to 2.8%, 2.6% and 2.3% respectively in August 2018.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period from July to September 2018, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.3%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period from June to August 2018 were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period from July to September 2018 were 0.3%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively, and the corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period from June to August 2018 were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.

     Amongst the various CPI components, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in September 2018 for food (excluding meals bought away from home) (5.1% in both the Composite CPI and CPI(A)); electricity, gas and water (3.8% in the Composite CPI and 4.2% in the CPI(A)); housing (2.9% in the Composite CPI and 4.4% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous services (2.9% in the Composite CPI and 1.7% in the CPI(A)); meals bought away from home (2.8% in both the Composite CPI and CPI(A)); clothing and footwear (2.5% in the Composite CPI and 3.1% in the CPI(A)); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (2.2% in the Composite CPI and 2.3% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous goods (1.6% in the Composite CPI and 2.0% in the CPI(A)) and transport (1.3% in the Composite CPI and 1.1% in the CPI(A)).

     On the other hand, year-on-year decrease in prices was recorded in September 2018 for durable goods (-1.8% in the Composite CPI and -1.7% in the CPI(A)). 

     Taking the first 9 months of 2018 together, the Composite CPI rose by 2.3% over a year earlier. The corresponding increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.6%, 2.3% and 2.2% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the Composite CPI, CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.5%, 2.8%, 2.5% and 2.4% respectively in the first 9 months of 2018 over a year earlier.

     In the third quarter of 2018, the Composite CPI rose by 2.5% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.8%, 2.4% and 2.2% respectively.  The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 2.8%, 3.1%, 2.8% and 2.5% respectively.

     For the 12 months ended September 2018, the Composite CPI was on average 2.2% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.3%, 2.1% and 2.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 2.3%, 2.5%, 2.3% and 2.2% respectively. 

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that the underlying inflation rate went up to 3.1% in September, mainly on account of special factors including the upward adjustment in public housing rentals and increase in school fees as the effects of the government subsidy schemes introduced a year earlier dissipated.

     Looking ahead, the inflation rate may still be subject to some mild upward pressure in the rest of the year, as local costs have increased along with the sustained economic expansion, and as the earlier rises in fresh-letting residential rentals would also continue to feed through. The Government will monitor the situation closely, particularly the impact on the lower-income people.

Further information

     The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for September 2018 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after removing the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The corresponding time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

     More detailed CPI data (including year-on-year comparison, month-to-month comparison, seasonally adjusted data series and the CPIs by the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)) are available in the monthly reports. Users can download the September 2018 issue of the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index" (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=B1060001), the time series of CPIs at detailed level (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600001), the time series of CPIs at COICOP division level (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600002) and the time series of CPIs after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600003) free of charge at the website of the C&SD.

     For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).

     A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said today (October 23) that the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) has submitted the report of the 2018 Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) to the EDB.
      
     The spokesman said, "In 2018, the Primary Three TSA was conducted on the basis of 'no student names, no school names, no collection of reports and selection of participants by sampling'. About 10 per cent of Primary Three students from public sector and Direct Subsidy Scheme schools in the territory were sampled to participate in the Primary Three TSA. Primary schools which have arranged for all their Primary Three students to participate in the assessment will be provided with school-level data directly by the HKEAA later for use as feedback on learning and teaching. The EDB will not obtain school reports of individual schools from the HKEAA."
      
     The performance in the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics of the Primary Three and Secondary Three students who participated in the TSA this year remains steady. As the Primary Three TSA this year was conducted on a sampling basis, the HKEAA processed the related data through statistical methodology to calculate the territory-wide basic competency attainment rates in the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics. As in previous years, the attainment rates of different levels were calculated against the basic competency standards set in 2004.
      
     The spokesman added, "The new arrangements for the Primary Three TSA and related enhancement measures have re-established the TSA as a low-stakes assessment without the need for drilling, and the education sector is generally satisfied with the new arrangements. According to the information provided by the HKEAA, schools which have arranged for all their Primary Three students to participate in the assessment have selected school reports with different coverage according to their school-based and subject-based needs, with the information analysis report being particularly popular. Schools agree that assessment reports provide useful information which helps them develop more appropriate curriculum plans and learning and teaching strategies, and implement 'assessment for learning' in the classroom."
      
     The EDB has regularised the four enhancement measures, namely improving assessment papers and question design, enhancing school reports, strengthening professional support measures and including a questionnaire survey on students' learning attitude and motivation, and will continue to support schools in promoting "assessment for learning" to encourage sharing of good teaching practices among schools. The EDB will organise seminars on the 2018 TSA arrangements to promote "assessment for learning". Effective ways of using assessment data and information to enhance learning and teaching will be introduced. The seminars will be held in November. Teachers can sign up via the EDB training calendar.
      
     The EDB will continue to strengthen public education on how to make good use of assessment information to improve learning and teaching. The EDB will also closely observe the implementation of the new arrangements for the Primary Three TSA through various channels including inspections, school visits and daily contacts, with a view to maintaining communication with schools and stakeholders and exploring room for continuous improvement and follow-up arrangements.
      
     The territory-wide percentages of students achieving basic competencies in the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics from 2004 to 2018 are shown in the Annex. Details of the TSA and this year's results can be found on the HKEAA's website (www.bca.hkeaa.edu.hk).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 is 105.7 (up 0.3 against yesterday's index).

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
 
     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (October 23) that Silver Mine Bay Beach in Islands District will reopen tomorrow (October 24). The beach was temporarily closed earlier for clearance of debris and fallen trees as well as repairs of the shark prevention net and beach facilities after the typhoon.

     Thirteen beaches under the LCSD have been reopened recently. They are Butterfly Beach, Castle Peak Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Cafeteria New Beach and Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District; Hoi Mei Wan Beach, Approach Beach, Anglers' Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach in Tsuen Wan District; Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach in Islands District; and Repulse Bay Beach in Southern District.

     Meanwhile, other gazetted beaches in Southern, Tsuen Wan, Islands and Sai Kung Districts, including Deep Water Bay Beach which is normally open all year round, will remain closed until further notice as much longer time is needed for repairing beach facilities and damaged shark prevention nets or clearing debris due to the severe damage brought about by the typhoon earlier. Red flags have been hoisted at these beaches.

     The LCSD reminds members of the public not to go to the beaches that are temporarily closed, and not to swim or participate in other activities at those beaches for the sake of safety.

     â€‹The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (October 23) that stalls at the 2019 Lunar New Year (LNY) fairs will be put up for open auction starting from November 5.
      
     The LNY fairs are to be held at 15 locations and will be open for seven days from January 30 to February 5, 2019. A total of 1 154 wet goods stalls, 854 dry goods stalls, eight thematic stalls and 17 fast food stalls will be put up for auction.
      
     The opening prices range from $630 to $10,880 for wet goods stalls, $750 to $14,230 for dry goods stalls, and $7,610 to $374,850 for fast food stalls.
      
     Apart from wet goods, dry goods and fast food stalls, eight thematic stalls will also be set up in the Victoria Park LNY Fair to sell festive commodities such as LNY food, spring couplets (fai chun), LNY decorations and other goods. The auction for these thematic stalls, with an opening price of $41,650, will take place in the AM session of the second auction day (November 6) for the Victoria Park LNY Fair.
      
     The six fairs on Hong Kong Island, in Islands District and in Kowloon will provide 502 wet goods stalls, 561 dry goods stalls, eight thematic stalls and 11 fast food stalls. The fairs will be located at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, Tat Tung Road Garden in Tung Chung, Fa Hui Park and Cheung Sha Wan Playground in Sham Shui Po, Morse Park in Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong Recreation Ground.
      
     The auction for stalls of the LNY fair in Victoria Park will be held for four days from November 5 to 8 (Monday to Thursday) at the Assembly Hall, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon. The first auction day (November 5) is scheduled for fast food stalls and wet goods stalls, the second auction day (November 6) is scheduled for thematic stalls and dry goods stalls and the third and fourth auction days (November 7 and 8) are scheduled for dry goods stalls. Due to the limited number of seats, those who are interested in bidding for the specific types of stalls at the Victoria Park LNY fair are invited to participate in the auction at the Lai Chi Kok Government Offices on the designated auction date. The auctions for stalls of the Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong fairs will also be held at the Assembly Hall, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, from November 13 to 16. The auction sessions are scheduled from 9am to 12.30pm (AM session) and 2pm until completion of the auction (PM session).
      
     The auction for stalls of Tat Tung Road Garden LNY Fair in Tung Chung will be held at Rooms 1413 and 1414, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, on November 9 (Friday). The auction session is scheduled from 9.30am until completion of the auction.
      
Details of the auctions and opening prices are as follows:
 
Victoria Park (Causeway Bay)
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Auction date: November 5 (Monday)
AM session: Fast food and wet goods (Stall Nos. 301 to 372)
PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 373 to 480)
Opening prices:
Fast food: $374,850 (Stall size: 7.6m x 4.8m)
Fast food: $200,780 (Stall size: 5m x 4m)
Wet goods: $10,880
 
Auction date: November 6 (Tuesday)
AM session: Thematic goods and dry goods (Stall Nos. 1 to 40)
PM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 41 to 88)
Opening prices:
Thematic goods: $41,650 (Stall size: 6m x 1.5m)
Dry goods: $14,230
 
Auction date: November 7 (Wednesday)
AM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 93 to 140)
PM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 141 to 148 and 153 to 192)
Opening price:
Dry goods: $14,230
 
Auction date: November 8 (Thursday)
AM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 193 to 208 and 213 to 246)
PM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 247 to 268 and 273 to 300)
Opening price:
Dry goods: $14,230
 
Tat Tung Road Garden (Tung Chung)
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Auction date: November 9 (Friday)
Stall types: Wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $630
Dry goods: $750
 
Fa Hui Park (Sham Shui Po)
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Auction date: November 13 (Tuesday)
AM session: Wet goods
PM session: Fast food and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $5,900
Fast food: $67,440 (Stall size: 7.6m x 4.8m)
Fast food: $29,140 (Stall size: 5m x 3m)
Dry goods: $13,000
 
Morse Park (Wong Tai Sin)
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Auction date: November 14 (Wednesday)
AM session: Wet goods
PM session: Fast food and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $2,500
Fast food: $16,670 (Stall size: 7.6m x 4.8m)
Dry goods: $2,290
 
Kwun Tong Recreation Ground (Kwun Tong)
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Auction date: November 15 (Thursday)
AM session: Wet goods
PM session: Fast food and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $3,640
Fast food: $10,100 (Stall size: 7.6m x 4.8m)
Dry goods: $3,550
 
Cheung Sha Wan Playground (Sham Shui Po)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 16 (Friday)
AM session: Wet goods
PM session: Fast food and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $830
Fast food: $7,610 (Stall size: 7.6m x 4.8m)
Dry goods: $920
 
     In the New Territories, 652 wet goods stalls, 293 dry goods stalls and six fast food stalls will be set up at nine fairs. They are located at Sha Tsui Road Playground in Tsuen Wan, Yuen Wo Playground in Sha Tin, Kwai Chung Sports Ground in Kwai Tsing, Tung Tau Industrial Area Playground in Yuen Long, Shek Wu Hui Playground in North District, Tin Hau Temple Plaza in Tuen Mun, Tin Hau Temple Fung Shui Square in Tai Po, Man Yee Playground in Sai Kung and Po Hong Park in Tseung Kwan O. Details of the auctions for these stalls, to be held at 9.30am until completion on November 19, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28 and 30 are as follows:
 
Sha Tsui Road Playground (Tsuen Wan)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 19 (Monday)
Auction venue: Assembly Hall, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices
Stall types: Dry goods and wet goods
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $14,140
Wet goods: $2,950
 
Yuen Wo Playground (Sha Tin)
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Auction date: November 20 (Tuesday)
Auction venue: Wo Che Community Hall, Sha Tin
Stall types: Dry goods and wet goods
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $7,610
Wet goods: $5,970
 
Kwai Chung Sports Ground (Kwai Tsing)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 22 (Thursday)
Auction venue: Assembly Hall, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices
Stall types: Dry goods and wet goods
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $3,750
Wet goods: $820
 
Tung Tau Industrial Area Playground (Yuen Long)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 23 (Friday)
Auction venue: Yuen Long Town East Community Hall
Stall types: Dry goods, wet goods and fast food
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $2,250
Wet goods: $1,170
Fast food: $9,130 (Stall size: 5m x 4m)
 
Shek Wu Hui Playground (North District)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 26 (Monday)
Auction venue: Luen Wo Hui Community Hall, Fanling
Stall types: Dry goods and wet goods
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $2,560
Wet goods: $1,190
 
Tin Hau Temple Plaza (Tuen Mun)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 27 (Tuesday)
Auction venue: Tseng Choi Street Community Hall, Tuen Mun
Stall types: Dry goods, wet goods and fast food
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $3,570
Wet goods: $2,490
Fast food: $9,130 (Stall size: 7.6m x 4.8m)
 
Tin Hau Temple Fung Shui Square (Tai Po)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 28 (Wednesday)
Auction venue: Tai Po Community Centre
Stall types: Dry goods, wet goods and fast food
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $2,410
Wet goods: $3,790
Fast food: $9,130 (Stall size: 5m x 4m)
 
Man Yee Playground (Sai Kung)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 30 (Friday)
Auction venue: Hang Hau Community Hall, Sai Kung
Stall types: Dry goods and wet goods
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $750
Wet goods: $630
 
Po Hong Park (Tseung Kwan O)
——————————————–
Auction date: November 30 (Friday)
Auction venue: Hang Hau Community Hall, Sai Kung
Stall types: Dry goods, wet goods and fast food
Opening prices:
Dry goods: $2,560
Wet goods: $1,390
Fast food: $7,610 (Stall size: 5m x 4m)
 
     Bidders for LNY fair stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily resident in Hong Kong.
      
     Anyone can bid for more than one stall. A bidder must pay the bid price and register in person with his or her own name as the licensee of the stall immediately after successfully bidding for a stall. The bidder is also required to sign at once a licence agreement with the FEHD, or will forfeit the rights to operate the stall.
          
     All fair sites will be made available three days in advance for the setting up of stalls from January 27 to 29, 2019. In the event of any unforeseeable incident that will cause reduction of the whole licence period (including the duration for setting up and the fair), the Government will have a right to postpone the commencement date and shorten the duration of the period. The bidding price (licence fee) paid will be refunded to the successful bidder on a pro-rata basis without interest payment.
      
     Stall licensees must completely remove the stall structure and all paraphernalia, together with all refuse, debris and unsold commodities (whether damaged or otherwise) from the licensed area before 7am on February 5 (9am for the Victoria Park LNY Fair).
      
     Stall licensees should not destroy, damage or abandon any unsold commodities at or in the vicinity of the stall. They may surrender unsold flowers and plants left behind at the stall to the FEHD at no charge, cost or compensation whatsoever, before 7am on February 5 (9am for the Victoria Park LNY Fair).
      
     According to the licence agreement, except inside designated stalls, licensees shall not keep or store or use helium cylinders in the licenced area. Whereas licensees of designated stalls could keep or store or use helium cylinders in the licenced area, the quantity of helium should be such that a licence is not required pursuant to Regulation 74 of the Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations (Cap 295B), i.e. one cylinder of helium deemed to be equivalent to 5 litres of helium.
      
     In addition, sales of floating LED glowing balloons and aquarium fish by stall licensees are prohibited at the LNY fairs.  
      
     An FEHD spokesman said, "Successful bidders shall comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall."
      
     Details of the 2019 LNY fairs such as the public notice, the locations and layouts of the fair venues, commodities allowed for sale at the fair stalls, open auction arrangements and related rules, and a sample of the licence agreement are available at the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call the FEHD hotline 2868 0000.