Tag Archives: China

     Following is a reminder of the press releases on statistical data to be issued between September and November 2018. The schedule for issuing press releases on statistical data in 2018 was provided to the media in September 2017. No change has been made to the original schedule.
 
September 2018
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Date                 Press Release
—–                 ——————
6                      Statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for second quarter 2018
 
10                    Quarterly business receipts indices for service industries for second quarter 2018
 
11                    Construction output statistics for second quarter 2018
 
11                    Statistics on trade involving outward processing in the mainland of China for second quarter 2018
 
13                    Index of industrial production and producer price index for the industrial sector for second quarter 2018
 
14                    Gross National Income and external primary income flows for second quarter 2018
 
18                    Unemployment and underemployment statistics for June – August 2018
 
19                    Chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product by economic activity for second quarter 2018
 
20                    Consumer Price Index for August 2018
 
20                    Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for July 2018
 
20                    Employment and vacancies statistics for June 2018
 
21                    Balance of Payments and International Investment Position statistics for second quarter 2018
 
27                    External merchandise trade statistics for August 2018
 
27                    Wage and payroll statistics for June 2018
 
October 2018
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Date                 Press Release
—–                 ——————
2                      Retail sales statistics for August 2018
 
18                    Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for August 2018
 
19                    Unemployment and underemployment statistics for July – September 2018
 
19                    Business expectations for fourth quarter 2018
 
23                    Consumer Price Index for September 2018
 
25                    External merchandise trade statistics for September 2018
 
26                    Salary indices for managerial and professional employees for June 2018
 
November 2018
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Date                 Press Release
—–                 ——————
1                      Retail sales statistics for September 2018
 
5                      Restaurant receipts and purchases statistics for third quarter 2018
 
15                    Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for September 2018
 
16                    Gross Domestic Product for third quarter 2018 : data contained in the press release entitled “Economic                                      Situation in the Third Quarter of 2018 and Latest GDP and Price Forecasts for 2018” issued by the Office of the                          Government Economist under the Financial Secretary’s Office (Note)
 
16                    Unemployment and underemployment statistics for August – October 2018
 
20                    Consumer Price Index for October 2018
 
26                    External merchandise trade statistics for October 2018
 
30                    Retail sales statistics for October 2018
 
Note: The Office of the Government Economist under the Financial Secretary’s Office will issue a press release on the Third Quarter Economic Report 2018 and final update of the GDP and prices forecasts for 2018 as a whole. The GDP for the third quarter of 2018 will also be released there. No separate press release on the GDP for the third quarter of 2018 will be issued by the Census and Statistics Department on that day.
 
The schedule for regular press releases in the other months of 2018 can be downloaded from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/index.jsp). read more

     Rates and/or government rent payers who have received the requisition forms (R1A) issued by the Rating and Valuation Department are reminded to complete and return the forms to the department as soon as possible. They can also complete and return the forms by using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided at the department’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk).

     The department issued about 330 000 R1A forms to rates and/or government rent payers this month to obtain rents and tenancy details for different categories of properties to assist in the determination of rateable values for the next general revaluation.

     Anyone having difficulty in completing and returning the forms within the specified period must apply in writing for an extension of time before the end of the stipulated period and should state their reasons.

     Anyone who knowingly makes a false statement or refuses to furnish any of the particulars specified in the form commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 or $10,000 respectively and also a fine equivalent to three times the rates and/or government rent undercharged.

     Rates and/or government rent payers are reminded to affix sufficient postage if they return the forms by post to ensure timely and successful postal delivery.

     Enquiries on how to complete the form can be made by calling the number printed on the form, or visiting the department at 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon. The department’s website also provides answers to commonly asked questions on completing the form. read more

     A Pakistani illegal worker holding a recognisance form was jailed by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (August 30).
 
     During a joint operation conducted by the Immigration Department (ImmD), the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department codenamed “Champion” on July 18, enforcement officers raided a location in San Po Kong. A male Pakistani illegal worker, aged 51, was arrested. When intercepted he was conveying goods. Upon identity checking, he produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the ImmD, which prohibits him from taking employment. Further investigation revealed that he was a non-refoulement claimant.
 
     The illegal worker was charged at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday with taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration or while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.

     The ImmD 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 the 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 on 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. read more

     The Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia will enter into force tomorrow (September 1), a government spokesman said today (August 31).     &nb… read more

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 31) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Repulse Bay Beach, Middle Bay Beach, Chung Hom Kok Beach, St Stephen’s Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lo So Shing Beach, Pui O Beach, Upper Cheung Sha Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach and Tong Fuk Beach in Islands District; and Hap Mun Bay Beach and Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District.

     Meanwhile, due to inclement weather, red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.

     Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches. read more