As the Police Headquarters was surrounded by protestors with roads obstructed in the vicinity, a total of 28 calls of 999 hotline in Wan Chai District could not be immediately handled as at 3.35pm today (June 21). Extra re… read more
The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (June 21) that a site, New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6607 at Shing Kai Road adjoining Kai Tak Sports Park, Kai Tak, Kowloon in the 2019-20 Land Sale Programme will be disposed of by public tender. The tender invitation for the lot will commence on June 28 and close on August 9.
New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6607 has a site area of about 11 276 square metres and is designated for non-industrial (excluding residential, godown and petrol filling station but including hotel) purposes. The minimum gross floor area and the maximum gross floor area are 24 000 square metres and 32 000 square metres respectively.
Land sale documents including the Form of Tender, the Tender Notice, the Conditions of Sale and the sale plan of the lot will be available for downloading from the LandsD’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk), and the sale plan will be available for distribution and inspection by the public from June 28, when the particulars of the tender will also be gazetted. read more
The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (June 21) for people in need of the service.
The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Districts:
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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 –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Kowloon Districts:
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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:
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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 –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, 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 –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 20 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (June 21) statistics of payment cards issued in Hong Kong for the first quarter of 2019.
The payment card statistics (see Annex) include quarterly data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (Note 1). The HKMA began to publish the payment card statistics on a quarterly basis in June 2010 to enhance transparency of the payment card industry in Hong Kong, in line with international practice.
According to the quarterly statistics, the total number of credit cards in circulation (Note 2) was 19.49 million by the end of Q1/2019. The figure represents a 0.2 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 2.6 per cent increase from the previous year. The number and value of credit card transactions (including retail sales and cash advances) (Note 3) are susceptible to seasonal factors and the general economic environment, making the trends more prone to fluctuation. The total number of credit card transactions was 191.62 million for Q1/2019, representing a 2.5 per cent decrease from the previous quarter and a 15.4 per cent increase from the same period in 2018. The total value of credit card transactions was HK$193.2 billion for Q1/2019, representing a 1.9 per cent decrease from the previous quarter and a 5.6 per cent increase from the same period in 2018. Of the total transaction value, HK$152.2 billion (78.8 per cent) was related to retail spending in Hong Kong, HK$28.8 billion (14.9 per cent) in retail spending overseas and HK$12.2 billion (6.3 per cent) in cash advances.
The total number of debit cards in circulation is not available due to overlapping of debit card brands in a single card. Like the number and value of credit card transactions, the number and value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments (Note 4) are also affected by seasonal factors. On a quarterly basis, the total number of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments decreased 0.7 per cent to 35.57 million while the total value increased by 4.6 per cent to HK$90.2 billion in Q1/2019. When compared to the same period in 2018, the total number increased by 2.6 per cent and the total value rose by 2.7 per cent in Q1/2019.
Notes:
Note 1. The payment card statistics are compiled from data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong by both authorized institutions (AIs) and non-authorized institutions (non-AIs) under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (the card operators). The card operators, in alphabetical order, are American Express International, Inc., Discover Financial Services (Hong Kong) Limited, EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited (EPSCO), JCB International (Asia) Ltd, Joint Electronic Teller Services Ltd. (JETCO), MasterCard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd., UnionPay International Co. Ltd and Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited.
Note 2. A credit card issued in Hong Kong only carries one credit card brand. The total number of credit cards in circulation refers to the total number of credit cards (i.e. cards with a credit function) issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (but excluding EPSCO and JETCO, which do not operate a credit card scheme). Some of these credit cards carry debit card functions, i.e. the credit card can be used for making purchases/payments or cash withdrawal at ATMs through directly debiting cardholders’ bank accounts.
Note 3. The total number/value of credit card transactions refer to the total number/value of transactions made via credit card accounts of credit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (excluding EPSCO and JETCO). Starting from March 2015, a Hong Kong/overseas spending breakdown of credit card retail sales transactions is provided.
Note 4. The total number/value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales/bill payments refers to the total number/value of those transactions made via debiting cardholders’ bank accounts. Some of the eight card operators do not operate a debit card scheme. Care should be exercised in combining the credit card retail sales figures and the debit card retail sales/bills payment figures because of the possibility of double counting. read more
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for May 2019. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.8% in May 2019 over the same month a year earlier, slightly smaller than the corresponding increase (2.9%) in April 2019. 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 May 2019 was also 2.8%, slightly smaller than that in April 2019 (2.9%), mainly due to the smaller increases in the charges for package tours and the decreases in local transport fares in May 2019.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the three-month period ending May 2019 was 0.3%, and that for the three-month period ending April 2019 was 0.4%. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were 0.2% and 0.3%.
Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.1%, 2.6% and 2.7% respectively in May 2019, as compared to 3.0%, 2.8% and 3.0% respectively in April 2019. 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 3.2%, 2.5% and 2.6% respectively in May 2019, as compared to 3.1%, 2.7% and 2.9% respectively in April 2019.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the three-month period ending May 2019, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were all 0.3%. The corresponding rates of increase for the three-month period ending April 2019 were all 0.4%. 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 three-month period ending May 2019 were all 0.2%, and the corresponding rates of increase for the three-month period ending April 2019 were all 0.3%.
Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in May 2019 for food (excluding meals bought away from home) (6.5%), housing (4.2%), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (3.2%), meals bought away from home (2.1%), miscellaneous goods (2.1%), miscellaneous services (2.1%) and transport (1.5%).
On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in May 2019 for electricity, gas and water (-4.9%); durable goods (-2.0%) as well as clothing and footwear (-1.2%).
Taking the first five months of 2019 together, the Composite CPI rose by 2.5% over a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.8%, 2.3% and 2.3% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.7%, 3.2%, 2.6% and 2.5% respectively.
For the three months ending May 2019, the Composite CPI rose by 2.6% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.9%, 2.4% and 2.5% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.7%, 3.1%, 2.5% and 2.5% respectively.
For the 12 months ending May 2019, the Composite CPI was on average 2.5% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.8%, 2.3% and 2.3% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.8%, 3.2%, 2.7% and 2.5% respectively.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that the underlying consumer price inflation rate edged down to 2.8% in May. Price pressures on most major CPI components were largely contained, though price of basic foodstuffs showed a visibly larger year-on-year increase amid the supply disruption to fresh pork.
Looking ahead, inflation will likely remain moderate in the near term, in tandem with the easing in fresh-letting residential rentals earlier on and in external price pressures. The Government will continue to monitor the inflation 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 May 2019 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 three 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 May 2019 issue of the “Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=B1060001), the time series of CPIs at detailed level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600001), the time series of CPIs at COICOP division level (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 (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). read more