Tag Archives: China

     Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for June 2019 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 15) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

     In June 2019, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods decreased by 10.1% over June 2018. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 8.8%.

     Comparing the first half of 2019 with the same period in 2018, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods decreased by 5.2%.  Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 6.2%.

     Comparing the second quarter of 2019 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 0.5%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 1.0%.

     Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.

     Comparing June 2019 with June 2018, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 1.5%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 1.7%.

     As regards price changes in the first half of 2019 over the same period in 2018, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.0%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods also increased by 2.0%.

     Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.

     The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same periods in 2018, the index decreased by 0.2% in June 2019, whereas it remained virtually unchanged in the first half of 2019.
 
     Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.

     Comparing June 2019 with June 2018, a double-digit decline of 12.3% was recorded for the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland). Concurrently, the total export volume to the USA, Japan and India decreased by 8.8%, 7.8% and 1.3% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to Taiwan increased by 16.7%.

     Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to the USA, the Mainland and Japan increased by 2.9%, 2.1% and 2.1% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to India and Taiwan decreased by 0.2% and 0.5% respectively.

     Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.

     Comparing June 2019 with June 2018, double-digit declines were recorded for the import volume from Korea (-21.3%) and Singapore (-20.9%). Concurrently, the import volume from the Mainland, Japan and Taiwan decreased by 8.0%, 5.9% and 4.1% respectively.

     Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: the Mainland (+2.3%), Taiwan (+1.7%), Singapore (+1.6%), Japan (+1.0%) and Korea (+0.8%).

Further information

     Details of the above statistics are published in the June 2019 issue of “Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers”. Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp230.jsp?productCode=B1020006).

     Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918). read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 15) announced the results of a recently completed targeted food surveillance project on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat food… read more

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 14) mounted an operation against illicit cigarette activities across the territory and seized about 1.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes and about 30 000 suspected illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products with an estimated market value of about $4 million and a duty potential of about $2.8 million.

     Customs officers inspected a cross-boundary truck declared as carrying assorted goods at a logistics site in Kwai Chung. After inspection, Customs officers found about 1.38 million suspected illicit cigarettes in 115 carton boxes mix-loaded with other goods on board the truck.

     Also, Customs officers detected two cases of suspected illicit cigarettes for storage and distribution. They seized about 20 000 suspected illicit cigarettes at a residential unit in Sheung Shui and found about 30 000 suspected illicit HNB products in a motorcycle in Kwun Tong.

     During the operation, Customs officers arrested three men aged 31 to 46. A cross-boundary truck and a motorcycle suspected to be in connection with the cases were detained.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     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.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities 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 Housing Authority:
 
     Ballots were drawn openly today (August 15) for the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)’s Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2019 (HOS 2019) and White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) 2019 (WSM 2019). The Chairman of the HA Subsidised Housing Committee, Mr Stanley Wong, officiated at the ballot drawings.
 
     “During the application period, the HA received a total of around 310 000 applications for HOS 2019 (comprising around 260 000 White Forms and around 50 000 Green Forms) and around 130 000 applications for WSM 2019, out of which around 200 000 for HOS 2019 and around 100 000 for WSM 2019 were received through on-line e-submission,” a spokesman for the HA said.
 
     The open ballots conducted today will determine the applicants’ priority sequence for HOS 2019 and WSM 2019 based on the last two digits of their application numbers. The order of priority of the applications within individual application categories, for those who hold the same drawn digits from the ballots, will be randomly generated by computer. The HA will invite White Form applicants and Green Form applicants holding valid Green Form Certificate to submit the income and asset declaration form and supporting documents within a specified period for detailed vetting according to this randomly generated order to ascertain whether individual applicants meet the eligibility criteria for HOS 2019 and/or WSM 2019 and the final priority for flat selection of eligible HOS applicants.
 
     A total of 4 871 flats in six new HOS developments, namely Kwun Tak Court in Ho Man Tin, Hoi Tak Court in Cheung Sha Wan, Sheung Man Court in Kwai Chung, Yung Ming Court in Tseung Kwan O, Kam Fai Court in Ma On Shan and Yuk Wo Court in Sha Tin, have been put up for sale under HOS 2019. The saleable areas of the flats range from 25.6 square metres to 52.8 square metres. By applying a discount of 41 per cent to the assessed market values, the selling prices (59 per cent of assessed market value) of the flats range from around $1.56 million to $5.29 million. In addition, a total of 33 rescinded flats arising from cancellation of the Agreements for Sale and Purchase from five HOS developments, namely Ka Shun Court in Sha Tin, Ping Yan Court in Yuen Long, Ngan Wai Court and Ngan Ho Court in Mui Wo and Choi Hing Court in Kwun Tong, will also be put up for resale under HOS 2019. The saleable areas of these flats range from 34.4 square metres to 53.0 square metres. By applying a discount of 41 per cent to the assessed market values, the selling prices (59 per cent of assessed market value) of these rescinded flats range from around $1.60 million to $3.58 million.
 
     “The HA expects that eligible applicants of HOS 2019 will be invited in batches to select HOS flats at the office of the HOS Sales Unit in Lok Fu starting from November this year,” the spokesman said.
 
     Sales brochures covering full details of the HOS developments and price lists will be made available for collection by the public and prospective purchasers at the HA Customer Service Centre (HACSC) in Lok Fu seven days before commencement of HOS flat selection. In addition, electronic copies of these documents will be uploaded to the designated websites for the HOS developments at the same time.
 
     Building models and doll houses of the six new HOS developments will be displayed and panels/associated documents/drawings of the six new HOS developments and the five HOS developments with rescinded flats will be exhibited at the HACSC for viewing by the public seven days before commencement up to the end of the flat selection.
 
     The WSM 2019 provides a quota of 3 000 for applicants to purchase subsidised sale flats with premium not yet paid in the HA’s HOS Secondary Market or in the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS)’s Flat-for-Sale-Scheme Secondary Market.
 
     “The HA expects that WSM 2019 approval letters will be sent to successful applicants in December 2019 for them to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase (CEP) within four weeks from the issue date of the approval letters. The CEP is valid for 12 months from the issue date and the holder is entitled to purchase a subsidised sale flat with premium not yet paid within the validity period,” the spokesman said.
 
     The ballot results for the HOS 2019 and WSM 2019 have been uploaded to the dedicated webpages on the HA/Housing Department website (hos.housingauthority.gov.hk/mini-site/hos2019/en/ballot-results.html and
www.housingauthority.gov.hk/mini-site/wsm2019/en/ballot-results.html) respectively. The randomly generated order of all applications will be uploaded to the webpages tomorrow (August 16). It will also be displayed at the HACSC in Lok Fu, the estate offices and District Tenancy Management Offices of the HA, the estate offices of the HS, the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department and the Sham Shui Po Housing Information Centre from tomorrow. Applicants may also call the HA Sales and WSM hotline 2712 8000 for enquiries.

    

     The Government announced today (August 15) the following senior appointments:
 
(a) Ms Michelle Li Mei-sheung, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) on September 10, 2019. She will succeed Mr Andrew Wong Ho-yuen, who will commence his pre-retirement leave;
 
(b) Miss Cathy Chu Man-ling, Director of Information Services, will take up the post of Postmaster General on September 9, 2019;
 
(c) Mr Vincent Liu Ming-kwong, Government Property Administrator, will take up the post of Director of Leisure and Cultural Services on October 4, 2019;
 
(d) Mr Rex Chang Wai-yuen, Deputy Secretary for Education, will take up the post of Director of Information Services on August 29, 2019; and
 
(e) Ms Shirley Lam Shuet-lai, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive’s Office on September 2, 2019.
 
     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, said, “The five appointees are seasoned Administrative Officers with proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that they will serve the community with professionalism in their new capacities.”
                  
     On the retirement of Mr Wong, Mr Law said, “Mr Wong has rendered 37 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community of Hong Kong. During his tenure as Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Mr Wong sought to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre, premier asset and wealth management centre and offshore RMB centre. He also led the Financial Services Branch to drive, facilitate and co-ordinate initiatives to ensure financial stability, promote market development and enhance protection for investors in the face of global needs and local circumstances. I wish him a fulfilling and happy retirement.”

     Brief biographical notes of the six officers are set out below:
          
Mr Andrew Wong Ho-yuen
—————————–
 
     Mr Wong joined the Administrative Service in August 1982 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in September 2006. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Office of Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the former Education and Manpower Branch, the former Trade Department, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva, the former Chief Secretary’s Office, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office and the Chief Executive’s Office. He served as Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service from February 2006 to December 2010, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism) from January 2011 to December 2014 and has been serving as Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) since December 2014.
 
Ms Michelle Li Mei-sheung
—————————–
          
     Miss Li joined the Administrative Service in September 1988 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2016. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Transport Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Finance Branch, the former Central Policy Unit, the former Education and Manpower Branch, the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office, the Home Affairs Department and the Home Affairs Bureau. She served as Secretary General of the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service from February 2005 to September 2009, Deputy Secretary for Education from September 2009 to July 2014 and has been serving as Director of Leisure and Cultural Services since July 2014.
 
Miss Cathy Chu Man-ling
—————————-
 
     Miss Chu joined the Administrative Service in June 1988 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2017. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Education and Manpower Branch, the former Health and Welfare Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Trade Department, the former Security Branch, the Information Services Department, the former Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, the Home Affairs Bureau and the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau. She served as Director, Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing from July 2012 to November 2014, Commissioner for Tourism from December 2014 to February 2018 and has been serving as Director of Information Services since February 2018.
 
Mr Vincent Liu Ming-kwong
——————————
 
     Mr Liu joined the Administrative Service in July 1987 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2015. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Municipal Services Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Education and Manpower Branch, the former Chief Secretary’s Office, the Civil Service Bureau, the former Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Home Affairs Bureau and the former Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority. He served as Deputy Director-General of Communications (Broadcasting) from April 2012 to March 2014, Deputy Secretary for the Environment from March 2014 to January 2019 and has been serving as Government Property Administrator since January 2019.
 
Mr Rex Chang Wai-yuen
—————————
 
     Mr Chang joined the Administrative Service in July 1989 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2017. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Security Branch, the former Finance Branch, the former Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore, the Trade and Industry Department and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong. He served as Deputy Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) from August 2011 to July 2015, Director, Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (Taiwan) from August 2015 to July 2018 and has been serving as Deputy Secretary for Education since July 2018.
 
Ms Shirley Lam Shuet-lai
—————————-
 
     Ms Lam joined the Administrative Service in August 1990 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2017. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Transport Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Regional Services Department, the former Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, the former Transport Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels and the Food and Health Bureau. She served as Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service from October 2010 to May 2013, Deputy Director of Marine from May 2013 to September 2015 and has been serving as Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union since October 2015.