Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 13) mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the eastern waters of Hong Kong and detected a suspected smuggling case involving speedboats. A batch of suspected smuggled goods with an estimated market value of about $800,000 was seized.

     Customs conducted an anti-smuggling operation and spotted two suspicious speedboats sailing towards the eastern water boundary in the waters off Tung Lung Chau with their navigation lights off last night. Customs officers immediately took action and intercepted one of the speedboats. Two men onboard the speedboat jumped into the water to escape from arrest, while the other speedboat left Hong Kong waters at high speed.

     Customs officers seized over 30 carton boxes of smuggled goods, including live turtles, mobile phones, pharmaceutical products and other electronic goods onboard the intercepted speedboat. In the meantime, Customs immediately joined the Marine Department, Fire Services Department and Marine Police to search for the two men who jumped into the sea at the scene.

     Customs stresses that it will keep up its enforcement actions and will continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, along with mounting targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to land a solid blow against relevant activities.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

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

      

     â€‹In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Kwai Tsing, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Southern Districts , the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (September 14) that the Kwai Tsing District Office (K&TDO), the Tuen Mun District Office (TMDO), the Yuen Long District Office (YLDO) and the Southern District Office (SDO) have distributed a total of about 298 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The K&TDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Cheung Fat Estate, Ching Wang Court, Ching Tai Court, Ching Nga Court, Wah Fung Garden, Happy Villa, Greenwood Regency, Phases 1 to 3 of Greenwood Villas, Chung Shan Lodge and Chung Shan Terrace for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the owners' corporations. The K&TDO also distributed rapid test kits to residents living in Kau Wa Keng New and Old Villages for voluntary testing through the Village Representative and the village office.
                                                                                    
     The TMDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Yick Yuen Tsuen, Yick Yuen Tsuen Pak Kit Garden, Tuen Tsz Wai, Tuen Tsz Wai Shui Fung Garden, Tuen Mun San Tsuen, E Lu, 3, 7 and 84-90 Lam Tei Main Street, Lam Tei Tsuen and residential premises around Yan Ching Street and Tak Ching Court for voluntary testing through the property management companies, the owners' corporations, the mutual aid committee, the resident representative and the Village Representatives.
      
     The YLDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Tin Chung Court for voluntary testing through the property management company.
      
     In addition, the SDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Lei Tung Estate, Yue On Court, Marina Habitat and Sham Wan Towers for voluntary testing through the property management companies.

     The HAD made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early.

     Members of the public may refer to the demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) via www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk to learn how to use the rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.

     Persons testing positive through an RAT should take a photo of the test result and declare the result within 24 hours via the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If members of the public encounter difficulties in using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The CHP under the DH will contact the relevant person later to complete the report procedure. There is no need to declare negative test results.

     The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19.

     â€‹The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 18 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (September 14).
 
     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
 
     In light of the implementation of mandatory use of the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application when entering government premises, all persons are required to use the app to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter temporary heat shelters, except for exempted persons (including persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, persons with disabilities that render use of the app difficult and persons without smartphones). All exempted persons are required to complete a prescribed form to register their personal particulars, contact phone number and the date and time of entry. The staff will verify the information provided.
 
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Chi Shin Activity Centre
G/F, Tseung Kwan O South Ancillary Facilities Block, 5 Chi Shin Street, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Wu Shan Road Community Hall
101 Wu Shan Road, Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

     A Government spokesman announced today (September 14) that the supply of fresh food from the Mainland yesterday (September 13) was sufficient and stable.

     According to the latest information, the quantity of vegetables supplied from the Mainland to Hong Kong yesterday (as of midnight) by land and water transportation was about 2 600 tonnes, comparable to the average daily supply from the Mainland on a normal day. The volume of vegetables sold through the wholesale markets of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Vegetable Marketing Organization was about 814 tonnes. The average wholesale prices of choi sum and pak choi respectively stood at $5.70 and $6.20 per catty yesterday. The supply of eggs to the wholesale market remained steady, with the average daily supply standing at over 3.3 million for the past week, comparable to the average daily supply on a normal day last year.

     The total supply of chilled pork from the Mainland yesterday was about 35 tonnes. The supply of live pigs was plentiful.

     The supply of chilled poultry from the Mainland was over 140 000 head yesterday, and about 10 000 live chickens were slaughtered locally. The supply was abundant.

     Regarding the rice supply, in compliance with the requirement by the Government, stockholders of rice have to maintain the reserve stock of rice at a level sufficient for consumption by the local population for 15 days. The trade generally stocks double the required amount, which is sufficient for one month's consumption by Hong Kong citizens. In recent years, the import and consumption of rice in Hong Kong has stood at a steady level of around 320 000 to 330 000 tonnes per year. The import quantity (including reserve stock) as of end-July 2022 was 29 800 tonnes. Suppliers also maintain a reserve for food that can be stored, such as frozen meat, for around three months' stock generally.

     The Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities and major food suppliers to ensure a stable food supply.

     The AFCD updates and publishes the fresh food supply information daily. Members of the public may visit the AFCD website for updates on daily supplies and wholesale prices of fresh food (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/agriculture/agr_fresh/agr_fresh.html).

     According to the provisional results of a survey released today (September 14) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 2.7% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with a year earlier, as against a year-on-year decrease of 1.3% in the first quarter of 2022. The corresponding producer price index increased by 0.8% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 2.3% in the first quarter of 2022.
 
     The index of industrial production for sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2022. The corresponding producer price index increased by 1.4% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 1.4% in the first quarter of 2022.
 
     Indices of industrial production reflect changes in the volume of local industrial output after discounting the effect of price changes. The price changes are measured by the producer price indices compiled from data on producer prices of selected industrial goods/services collected in the same survey.
 
     Comparing the industrial production in respect of major manufacturing industries in the second quarter of 2022 with that a year earlier, increases in output volume were recorded mainly in the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+1.1%); and the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+1.0%). On the other hand, decreases in output volume were recorded in the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (-2.7%); and the textiles and wearing apparel industry (-1.0%).
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 5.3% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the first quarter of 2022.
 
     Producer price indices reflect changes in the prices of local output. They measure changes in the actual prices (net of any discounts or rebates allowed to buyers, plus any surcharges) received by producers for their output. Transportation and other incidental charges are not included.
 
     Comparing the second quarter of 2022 with a year earlier, increases in producer prices were recorded mainly in the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+3.1%); the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+2.5%); and the textiles and wearing apparel industry (+1.6%). On the other hand, a decrease in producer price was recorded in the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (-1.3%).
 
     Table 1 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the indices of industrial production by selected industry grouping. Table 2 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the producer price indices for the industrial sector by selected industry grouping.
 
     The revised figures on indices of industrial production and producer price indices for the industrial sector for the second quarter of 2022 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_8000.html) and relevant publications of the Department starting from October 18, 2022.
 
     Users can download the reports "Quarterly Index of Industrial Production, 2nd Quarter 2022" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070002&scode=310) and "Quarterly Producer Price Index for Industrial Sector, 2nd Quarter 2022" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070003&scode=280) at the website of the C&SD.
 
     For enquiries about indices of industrial production and producer price indices, please contact the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel.: 3903 7247; email: ind-production@censtatd.gov.hk).