Tag Archives: China

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for July 2018. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.4% in July 2018 over the same month a year earlier, remaining virtually unchanged as compared to June 2018. 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 July 2018 also remained virtually unchanged at 2.7% as compared to June 2018.
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the three-month period from May to July 2018 was 0.2%, and that for the three-month period from April to June 2018 was 0.1%. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the three-month period from May to July 2018 was 0.2%, the same as that for the three-month period from April to June 2018. 

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.5%, 2.3% and 2.3% respectively in July 2018, as compared to 2.6%, 2.3% and 2.2% respectively in June 2018. 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 2.8%, 2.7% and 2.6% respectively in July 2018, as compared to 2.9%, 2.7% and 2.5% respectively in June 2018. 

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the three-month period from May to July 2018, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were all 0.2%. The corresponding rates of increase for the three-month period from April to June 2018 were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. 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 from May to July 2018 were all 0.2%, and the corresponding rates of increase for the three-month period from April to June 2018 were 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively. 

     Amongst the various CPI components, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in July 2018 for food (excluding meals bought away from home) (4.8% in the Composite CPI and 4.5% in the CPI(A)); electricity, gas and water (4.2% in the Composite CPI and 4.5% in the CPI(A)); meals bought away from home (2.9% in the Composite CPI and 3.0% in the CPI(A)); clothing and footwear (2.4% in the Composite CPI and 2.2% in the CPI(A)); housing (2.2% in the Composite CPI and 2.4% in the CPI(A)); transport (2.2% in the Composite CPI and 1.6% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous services (1.8% in the Composite CPI and 1.0% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous goods (1.4% in the Composite CPI and 1.9% in the CPI(A)) as well as alcoholic drinks and tobacco (0.6% in both the Composite CPI and CPI(A)). 

     On the other hand, year-on-year decrease in prices was recorded in July 2018 for durable goods (-2.1% in the Composite CPI and -2.0% in the CPI(A)). 

     Taking the first seven months of 2018 together, the Composite CPI rose by 2.3% over a year earlier. The corresponding increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.5%, 2.2% and 2.2% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the Composite CPI, CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.5%, 2.7%, 2.4% and 2.4% respectively in the first seven months of 2018 over a year earlier. 

     For the three months ended July 2018, the Composite CPI rose by 2.3% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.5%, 2.2% and 2.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.6%, 2.8%, 2.6% and 2.4% respectively. 

     For the 12 months ended July 2018, the Composite CPI was on average 2.0% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.2%, 1.9% and 2.0% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.1%, 2.3%, 2.0% and 2.1% respectively. 

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that underlying inflation pressure held largely steady in July, with the year-on-year rate of change in the underlying Composite CPI staying unchanged at 2.7%. In view of the edging up of global inflation and continued feed-through of earlier rises in fresh-letting residential rentals, local underlying consumer price inflation in the months ahead may remain somewhat higher than in the first half of 2018, when it averaged 2.4%. Yet, inflation should stay within a moderate range for 2018 as a whole. The Government will continue to monitor the 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 July 2018 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 July 2018 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

     The Government announced today (August 21) that Mr Lam Sai-hung, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, will assume the post of Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) on October 13, 2018, succeeding Mr Hon Chi-keun… read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 is 104.1 (down 0.3 against yesterday’s index). read more

     â€‹The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) successfully intercepted a case of illegal import of hazardous electronic waste (e-waste) from the United States (US) at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals. The local importer concerned, Intech Environmental Recycling Limited, was fined $20,000 at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (August 21) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).

     With the assistance of the Customs and Excise Department, EPD staff intercepted an imported container from the US at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals in April this year. The container was claimed to contain computer parts, but upon inspection it was found to be loaded with hazardous e-waste comprising waste printed circuit boards (PCBs), with a market value of about $360,000. The intercepted container was immediately returned to the place of origin. The EPD notified the foreign enforcement authorities concerned about the return shipment and instigated prosecution against the importer in accordance with the WDO.

     An EPD spokesman stressed that dismantled or destroyed PCBs are hazardous waste, containing various heavy metals and other toxic chemical substances. They are classified as chemical waste and are regulated under the existing laws on chemical waste disposal. To protect the environment, the EPD rigorously combats the illegal import and export activities of hazardous waste.

     The spokesman reminded importers of the waste recycling trade not to import (including import into or transshipment through Hong Kong) or export hazardous waste. According to the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to import or export hazardous waste unless obtaining a valid permit beforehand. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

     Members of the public may visit the EPD’s website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.

  

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 21) announced that the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for July rose to 15.7 per cent from 11.3 per cent in June, indicating that mosquito infes… read more