The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 16) reported an update on its investigations into an outbreak of food poisoning related to a food premises in Kowloon Bay announced on November 13.
 
     After further investigations, the CHP identified an additional 38 persons, comprising 12 men and 26 women aged from 19 to 62, who developed abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever about two to 31 hours after having a dinner banquet at the food premises on November 9. Twenty of them sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation.
 
     This brings the total number of persons affected to 48 so far, comprising 19 men and 29 women. The stool specimen of one patient tested positive for Vibrio parahaemolyticus. All affected persons identified have been in stable condition.
 
     "Epidemiological investigations show that the additional affected persons had a meal at the food premises concerned before investigation and control measures instituted by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). We have alerted the FEHD to the updated investigation findings and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     To prevent food-borne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hot pot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked food;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine and wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 13 open meetings and three closed meetings during the week from November 19 to 23 in the LegCo Complex. Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees.  Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations, including an operation codenamed "Twilight", and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department codenamed "Champion" from November 12 to 15. A total of nine illegal workers and three suspected employers were arrested.
      
     During operation "Twilight", ImmD Task Force officers raided 21 target locations including commercial buildings, a dog shelter, a farm, residential flats, restaurants and a shopping mall. Eight illegal workers and two employers were arrested. The illegal workers comprised five men and three women, aged 34 to 58. Among them, a woman was a holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. In addition, two women were suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Meanwhile, one man and one woman, aged 36 and 45, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.
      
     In addition, during operation "Champion", enforcement officers raided four target locations in Sha Tin including a shop and restaurants. A female illegal worker, aged 39, was arrested. Meanwhile, one woman, aged 50, was suspected of employing the illegal worker and she was also arrested.
      
     "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties," an ImmD spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman warned that it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years' imprisonment.
      
     The spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months' imprisonment should be applied in such cases. 
      
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.
      
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threat and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent interference, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 16) reported the latest number of cases of dengue fever (DF), and again urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.

     From November 9 to 15, the CHP recorded four imported DF cases. The patients had been to Cambodia (one case), Guangdong in Mainland China (one case), the Philippines (one case) and Thailand (one case) during the incubation period.

     As of yesterday (November 15), 145 cases had been confirmed this year, of which 29 were local cases and 116 were imported cases. The imported cases were mainly from Thailand (33), Mainland China (25) and the Philippines (18). 

     DF remains endemic in some areas of Asia and beyond. The latest figures for 2018 revealed that 73 679 cases had been recorded in Thailand, 2 539 in Singapore (since December 31, 2017) and 165 in Japan. In Taiwan, 176 local cases have been recorded to date in 2018. In the Americas, the latest figures indicated that 218 337 and 62 404 cases have been filed in Brazil and Mexico respectively in 2018.

     The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
 

• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

 
     To reduce the risk of infections spread by mosquitoes, apart from general measures, travellers returning from affected areas should apply insect repellent for 14 days (DF) or at least 21 days (Zika Virus Infection) upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to the doctor. DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
 

• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

 
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

     The public may refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents for details.

     The Government released today (November 16) the Third Quarter Economic Report 2018, together with the preliminary figures on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2018.

     The Government Economist, Mr Andrew Au, described the economic situation in the third quarter of 2018 and provided the latest GDP and price forecasts for 2018.

Main points

* The Hong Kong economy grew solidly by 2.9% in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier. While marking the eighth consecutive quarter of above-trend growth, it moderated from the 3.5% growth in the second quarter. External demand continued to record visible growth for the quarter as a whole alongside further expansion of the global economy. Domestic demand held firm. Labour market conditions remained favourable, while consumer price inflation went up slightly. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, real GDP grew by 0.1% in the third quarter of 2018, having decreased by 0.2% in the preceding quarter.

* Total exports of goods sustained further notable growth of 5.0% year-on-year in real terms for the third quarter as a whole, with most major markets showing growth of varying degrees. Yet the pace of export growth decelerated in September, as the impact of the US-Mainland trade conflicts began to surface. Exports of services expanded moderately by 3.1% in the third quarter. Underpinned by visible expansion in inbound tourism, exports of travel services grew solidly, albeit at a decelerated rate. Amid the heightened external uncertainties and slower momentum of cross-border financial activities, growth in exports of financial services moderated, while exports of transport services, and business and other services recorded only modest increases.

* Domestic demand stayed largely resilient in the third quarter. Private consumption expenditure, albeit less buoyant than in the previous quarters, expanded notably by 5.2% year-on-year in real terms, buttressed by favourable job and income conditions. Overall investment expenditure picked up significantly to grow by 8.2%, as machinery and equipment acquisition surged and building and construction activity registered a narrower decline.

* The labour market remained tight in the third quarter. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed unchanged at a 20-year low of 2.8%, while the underemployment rate edged up to a still-low level of 1.2%. Total employment sustained visible growth on a year-on-year basis. Wages and earnings also registered solid and broad-based gains in real terms.

* The local stock market saw further consolidation in the third quarter, as the increased external headwinds weighed on market sentiment. The residential property market showed some cool-off, with flat prices switching to fall amid shrinking transactions.

* Looking ahead, the economic outlook is subject to increasing downside risks. The global economy has lost some momentum of late, as evidenced by the slower growth in the EU and in many Asian economies in the third quarter. The US-Mainland trade conflicts have weighed on global economic sentiment, with possible repercussions on global trade and investment activities. The impacts on Hong Kong's external trade have begun to surface, and are likely to become more apparent in the near term. The further tightening of financial conditions across advanced economies, particularly in the US, is another risk factor. The US Federal Reserve has hiked interest rate three times this year, and signalled further gradual rate hikes going forward. Rising US interest rates and a stronger US dollar had already wreaked financial havoc in some emerging market economies with weak fundamentals earlier this year. Global financial and asset markets could become even more volatile in the period ahead.  Besides, developments related to Brexit, Italy's fiscal situation and geopolitical tensions also warrant close attention.

* Domestic demand may also be subject to more pressure from the rising external headwinds. Consumer sentiment, while still being supported by the favourable job and income conditions, could increasingly be affected by the external uncertainties and weaker asset markets.  Various surveys also revealed that local business sentiment has become more cautious in recent months. 

* Taking into account the actual growth outturn of 3.7% in the first three quarters of 2018 and the downside risks in the external environment, economic growth for 2018 as a whole is now forecast at 3.2%, within the range forecast of 3-4% announced in the August round. The Government will continue to monitor closely the external and domestic developments, for their possible impacts on the economic and employment situations.

* Pressures on consumer prices continued to build up alongside sustained above-trend economic growth. The underlying consumer price inflation picked up to 2.8% in the third quarter, averaging 2.5% for the first three quarters as a whole. 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 continue to feed through. Taking into account the actual outturns so far this year, the forecast rates of underlying and headline consumer price inflation for 2018 as a whole are slightly revised upwards to 2.7% and 2.4% respectively in the current round of review, from 2.5% and 2.2% in the August round.

Details

GDP

     According to the preliminary data on the GDP released today by the Census and Statistics Department, GDP grew solidly by 2.9% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier. While marking the eighth consecutive quarter of growth above the trend growth rate of 2.7% per annum in the past ten years, it moderated from the 3.5% growth in the second quarter (same as the preliminary estimate). On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, real GDP grew by 0.1% in the third quarter of 2018, having decreased by 0.2% in the preceding quarter (same as the preliminary estimate) (Chart).

     The figures on GDP and its major expenditure components up to the third quarter of 2018 are presented in Table 1. Developments in different segments of the economy in the third quarter of 2018 are described below.

External trade

     Total exports of goods grew notably by 5.0% in real terms in the third quarter over a year earlier, after a similar 4.6% growth in the second quarter. However, external merchandise trade statistics showed that export growth decelerated visibly in September, suggesting that the impacts of the US-Mainland trade conflicts have begun to surface. For the third quarter as a whole, exports to most major markets showed growth of varying degrees. Exports to the US grew visibly, underpinned by a pick-up in import demand alongside strong economic expansion there. While those re-exports of Mainland origin to the US affected by the additional tariffs imposed in July and August showed notable deceleration in August and September, they constituted only about 15% of Hong Kong's total exports to this market in the third quarter. As to exports to the EU, visible growth was also recorded amid sustained economic growth in the region. Exports to most major Asian markets also grew by varying extents alongside further expansion in intra-regional trade. Specifically, exports to the Mainland continued to grow visibly. Exports to India and major emerging markets in ASEAN posted discernible growth. As to the high-income Asian markets, exports to Korea picked up, and those to Singapore saw still-solid growth, but those to Japan and Taiwan registered declines. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, total exports of goods increased by 1.2% in real terms in the third quarter, having decreased by 0.4% in the second quarter.

     Exports of services expanded moderately by 3.1% year-on-year in real terms in the third quarter, after a 5.9% growth in the preceding quarter. Underpinned by visible expansion in inbound tourism, exports of travel services grew solidly, albeit at a decelerated rate. Amid the heightened external uncertainties and slower momentum of cross-border financial activities, growth in exports of financial services moderated, while exports of transport services, and business and other services recorded only modest increases. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, exports of services increased by 0.1% in real terms in the third quarter, having declined by 3.3% in the preceding quarter.

Domestic sector

     Domestic demand remained largely resilient in the third quarter. Private consumption expenditure expanded notably by 5.2% in real terms over a year earlier, albeit moderated somewhat from the exceptionally strong growth of 7.4% in the first half of the year. Local consumer sentiment continued to be buttressed by favourable job and income conditions, though the wealth effect may have turned less supportive amid the stock market corrections. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, private consumption expenditure increased by 0.9% in real terms in the third quarter, after the decrease of 0.7% in the preceding quarter. Government consumption expenditure grew steadily by 3.3% in real terms in the third quarter over a year earlier, following the 4.3% growth in the preceding quarter.

     Overall investment spending in terms of gross domestic fixed capital formation recorded a much faster year-on-year growth of 8.2% in real terms in the third quarter, compared with the 1.1% increase in the second quarter. Within the total, machinery and equipment acquisition, which is usually volatile, surged from a low base of comparison in the same quarter last year. However, local business sentiment has become more cautious in recent months owing to the increased headwinds in the external environment.  Meanwhile, overall building and construction activity registered a narrower year-on-year decline.

The labour sector

     The labour market remained tight in the third quarter. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed unchanged at a 20-year low of 2.8%, while the underemployment rate edged up to a still-low level of 1.2%. Total employment registered further visible growth on a year-on-year basis. Against this backdrop, wages and earnings sustained solid and broad-based growth in real terms. Earnings of grassroots workers also stayed on the rise after discounting inflation.

The asset markets

     The local stock market consolidated further in the third quarter, as market sentiment was hit by escalating US-Mainland trade conflicts and successive US rate hikes. The Hang Seng Index closed the third quarter at 27 789, down by 4.0% from a quarter earlier. On November 15, the Hang Seng Index closed at 26 103.

     The residential property market showed some cool-off. The number of residential property transactions fell by 24% from 18 900 in the second quarter to 14 400 in the third quarter. Overall flat prices edged down by 1% during the third quarter, with the month-to-month increase in July more than offset by declines in August and September. Notwithstanding the latest declines, prices in September were still higher than the 1997 peak by 125%. Meanwhile, the index of home purchase affordability stayed elevated at around 74% in the third quarter. Between June and September, flat rentals rose further by 2%. Over the same period, shop and office prices increased by 2% and 6% respectively, and their rentals also increased, by 2% and 1% respectively.

Prices

     Alongside the sustained above-trend economic growth, pressures on consumer prices continued to build up in the third quarter. Domestically, the rises in fresh-letting residential rentals over the past year or so continued to feed through to consumer price inflation. Local cost pressures on factor inputs, while still largely contained, have turned more visible. While wages and earnings continued to register solid gains, rental pressures faced by businesses, albeit broadly moderate, edged up against the broad uptrend in rentals of retail premises and offices. Meanwhile, external price pressures largely held steady. Against this backdrop, the underlying consumer price inflation, which nets out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, averaged 2.8% in the third quarter, up from 2.4% in the second quarter. Headline consumer price inflation also went up to 2.5% from 2.1% over the same period.

Latest GDP and price forecasts for 2018

     Looking ahead, the economic outlook is subject to increasing downside risks. The global economy has lost some momentum of late, as evidenced by the slower growth in the EU and in many Asian economies in the third quarter. The US-Mainland trade conflicts have weighed on global economic sentiment, with possible repercussions on global trade and investment activities. The impacts on Hong Kong's external trade have begun to surface, and are likely to become more apparent in the near term. The further tightening of financial conditions across advanced economies, particularly in the US, is another risk factor. The US Federal Reserve has hiked interest rate three times this year, and signalled further gradual rate hikes going forward. Rising US interest rates and a stronger US dollar had already wreaked financial havoc in some emerging market economies with weak fundamentals earlier this year. Global financial and asset markets could become even more volatile in the period ahead.  Besides, developments related to Brexit, Italy's fiscal situation and geopolitical tensions also warrant close attention.

     Domestic demand may also be subject to more pressure from the rising external headwinds. Consumer sentiment, while still being supported by the favourable job and income conditions, could increasingly be affected by the external uncertainties and weaker asset markets. Various surveys also revealed that local business sentiment has become more cautious in recent months.

     Taking into account the actual growth outturn of 3.7% in the first three quarters of 2018 and the downside risks in the external environment, economic growth for 2018 as a whole is now forecast at 3.2%, within the range forecast of 3-4% announced in the August round (Table 2). The Government will continue to monitor closely the external and domestic developments, for their possible impacts on the economic and employment situations. For reference, the latest forecasts by private sector analysts range from 3.0-4.0%, averaging around 3.6%.

     On inflation outlook, 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 continue to feed through. Taking into account the actual outturns so far this year, the forecast rates of underlying and headline consumer price inflation for 2018 as a whole are slightly revised upwards to 2.7% and 2.4% respectively in the current round of review, from 2.5% and 2.2% in the August round (Table 2).   

     The Third Quarter Economic Report 2018 is now available for online download, free of charge at www.hkeconomy.gov.hk/en/reports/index.htm. The Report of the Gross Domestic Product, Third Quarter 2018, which contains the GDP figures up to the third quarter of 2018, is also available for online download, free of charge at the homepage of the Census and Statistics Department, www.censtatd.gov.hk.