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).

     The Government announced today (September 14) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.
 
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the Housing Department and respective District Offices will commence distributing about 215 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• Kowloon City District – One Beacon Hill, Kwun Tak Court, One Homantin and residential premises around Oxford Road and Cambridge Road (See Annex)
• Kwun Tong District – Yau Lai Estate and Laguna City
• Sai Kung District – Kin Ming Estate
• Yau Tsim Mong District – Sai Yeung Choi Street South and Nullah Road (See Annex)

     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.
 
     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.
 
     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp/). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) released today (September 14) the key analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund at the end of August 2022.
      
     Foreign assets, representing the external assets of the Exchange Fund, decreased during the month by HK$77.9 billion to HK$3,576.0 billion.
      
     The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government-issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to HK$1,930.4 billion.
      
     Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to HK$278.0 billion.
      
     Foreign liabilities amounted to HK$23.4 billion.
      
     The analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund are released in accordance with the International Monetary Fund's Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and are referred to as the Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank under SDDS (Annex).
 
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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund's data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund's SDDS. The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund's Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA's policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of September 2022, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 is 103.7 (up 0.8 against yesterday's index).

     The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced today (September 14) the appointments of Principal Government Counsel Dr James Ding Kwok-wing as the Law Officer (International Law) and Principal Government Counsel Mr Llewellyn Mui Kei-fat as the Solicitor General with effect from September 15. Dr Ding will succeed Ms Linda Lam Mei-sau, who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day after 28 years of distinguished service with the DoJ.

     Welcoming the appointments, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said that Dr Ding and Mr Mui are lawyers with outstanding abilities and proven leadership skills.

     On Dr Ding's appointment, Mr Lam said, "Dr Ding is a seasoned officer with impressive professional competence and integrity. I have every confidence that he will ably lead the International Law Division to meet the challenges ahead and will act in the best interest of Hong Kong."

     On Mr Mui's appointment, Mr Lam said, "Having served in the DoJ for almost 30 years, Mr Mui with in-depth legal knowledge and solid experience is well qualified to lead the Constitutional and Policy Affairs Division to rise to the challenges ahead and continue to deliver its professional and quality work."

     Mr Lam also expressed his gratitude to Ms Lam for her great and valuable contribution during her term of service and wished her a happy retirement.

     Ranked at the Law Officer (DL6) level, the Law Officer (International Law) is responsible for, amongst others, advising on the international law aspects of a wide range of complex issues of government policies, and overseeing the implementation of bilateral and multilateral agreements, as well as the discharge of the responsibilities of the Central Authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the purposes of mutual legal co-operation in criminal matters.

     Ranked at the Law Officer (DL6) level, the Solicitor General is responsible for, amongst others, the development of legal policy issues, liaising with the legal profession and promoting the legal and dispute resolution services of Hong Kong and advising on a wide range of complex and sensitive legal issues including the Basic Law, human rights and constitutional development.

     Brief biographical notes on the three officers are set out below:

Ms Linda Lam Mei-sau
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     Ms Lam was called to the Bar in England and Wales (Gray's Inn) and the Hong Kong Bar in 1991, and was admitted as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore in 1993. She was appointed as Crown Counsel in 1994 and promoted to Senior Crown Counsel in 1995, Deputy Principal Government Counsel in 2008, and Principal Government Counsel in 2018. Ms Lam has served in different divisions of the DoJ for 28 years. She was a Deputy Law Officer in the International Law Division between 2017 and 2020. She was appointed Law Officer in 2021 and has since held the position of Law Officer (International Law).

Dr James Ding Kwok-wing
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     Dr Ding was called to the Bar in Hong Kong in 1997. He was appointed as Government Counsel in 1999 and promoted to Senior Government Counsel in 2006, Deputy Principal Government Counsel in 2012 and Principal Government Counsel in 2017. Dr Ding has served in the International Law Division of the DoJ for 19 years and has been the Commissioner of the Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office between 2019 and 2022. He was awarded the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service in 2021.

Mr Llewellyn Mui Kei-fat
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     Mr Mui was admitted as Solicitor in Hong Kong in 1992. He was appointed as Crown Counsel in 1992 and promoted to Senior Crown Counsel in 1995, Deputy Principal Government Counsel in 2011 and Principal Government Counsel in 2018. Mr Mui has mainly been serving in the Constitutional and Policy Affairs Division (formerly known as the Legal Policy Division) except for a short stint in the Prosecutions Division.