The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (August 27).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

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:
——————

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:
————————–

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

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 27) the external merchandise trade statistics for July 2024. In July 2024, the values of Hong Kong's total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 13.1% and 9.9% respectively.
 
     In July 2024, the value of total exports of goods increased by 13.1% over a year earlier to $390.4 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 10.7% in June 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 9.9% over a year earlier to $412.3 billion in July 2024, after a year-on-year increase by 9.0% in June 2024. A visible trade deficit of $21.8 billion, equivalent to 5.3% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in July 2024.
 
     For the first seven months of 2024 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 12.4% over the same period in 2023. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 8.0%. A visible trade deficit of $182.8 billion, equivalent to 6.6% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first seven months of 2024.
 
     Comparing the three-month period ending July 2024 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 1.0%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 0.2%.
 
Analysis by country/territory
 
     Comparing July 2024 with July 2023, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 15.7%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+39.2%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+23.0%), Vietnam (+21.7%), Thailand (+20.2%) and the Philippines (+19.2%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of total exports to India (-27.9%) and Singapore (-16.8%).
 
     Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the Netherlands (+78.9%) and the USA (+19.7%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Kingdom (-31.0%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+80.4%), Korea (+34.4%), Taiwan (+20.6%), Malaysia (+19.1%) and the Mainland (+12.2%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Thailand (-43.4%).
 
     For the first seven months of 2024 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Thailand (+30.2%), Vietnam (+23.2%), the Mainland (+20.0%), the USA (+17.1%) and the United Arab Emirates (+8.0%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to India (-8.8%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+52.2%), Korea (+50.6%), Singapore (+19.6%), the Mainland (+9.7%) and the USA (+4.1%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from the Philippines (-14.3%).
 
Analysis by major commodity
 
     Comparing July 2024 with July 2023, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $22.1 billion or +13.7%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $20.5 billion or +62.3%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $16.9 billion or +65.8%) and "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $16.4 billion or +10.0%).
 
     For the first seven months of 2024 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $136.1 billion or +12.6%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $67.9 billion or +31.0%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $106.7 billion or +9.6%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $50.8 billion or +28.9%).
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports posted further double-digit growth in July 2024 over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland, the United States and the European Union continued to expand visibly. Meanwhile, those to other major Asian markets showed mixed performance.
 
     Looking ahead, Hong Kong's exports should sustain a positive performance if external demand holds up, though geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts will present risks. The Government will monitor the situation closely.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for July 2024. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2021 to July 2024, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
 
     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for July 2024 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
 
     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for July 2024.
 
     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for July 2024 will be released in mid-September 2024.
 
     The July 2024 issue of "Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade" contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong's external merchandise trade in July 2024 and will be available in early September 2024. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).
 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).

     The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published the Global Innovation Index 2024 top 100 science and technology (S&T) clusters today (August 27), among which the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster continued to rank second globally for the fifth consecutive year.
 
     A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said, "We welcome the ranking published by WIPO, which continues to give high recognition to the leading position of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in the global innovation and technology (I&T) field. The GBA international I&T centre plays an important strategic role in the national S&T innovation system. Hong Kong will continue to actively promote I&T development by strengthening basic research capabilities, enhancing the local I&T ecosystem, accelerating the transformation and commercialisation of research and development outcomes, and promoting new industrialisation to accelerate the cultivation of new quality productive forces in accordance with local strengths. Meanwhile, we will also strive to leverage our own advantages and strengthen I&T collaboration with GBA sister cities, thereby jointly building a more comprehensive and globally competitive I&T industry chain, and making new and greater contributions to the country's high-level self-reliance in science and technology."
 
     WIPO examines the density of patent-filing and articles published in scientific research journals to identify and rank the leading geographical areas in global S&T invention and innovation activities. For the ranking this year, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster filed 2 303 Patent Cooperation Treaty applications per 1 million inhabitants during 2019-2023 and published 3 469 scientific articles per 1 million inhabitants during 2018-2022, both increasing from the previous cycles.
 

     â€‹â€‹The delegation of 2024 Paris Olympic Games Mainland Olympians will attend the Mainland Olympians Gala Show on August 30 (Friday) and give two sports demonstrations on the morning of August 31 (Saturday). A Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) spokesman today (August 27) reminded members of the public who have purchased tickets for the above events to present their tickets and proof of identity for admission to the venues. Details of the events are as follows:
 
Mainland Olympians Gala Show
Date: August 30 (Friday)
Time: 8pm to 9.30pm
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Stadium, 18 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai
 
Badminton, gymnastics and table tennis demonstrations
Date: August 31 (Saturday)
Time: 9.30am to 11.30am
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Stadium, 18 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai
 
Diving and swimming demonstrations
Date: August 31 (Saturday)
Time: 9.30am to 11.30am
Venue: Victoria Park Swimming Pool, 1 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay
 
     There will be no ticket collection service at the venues on the event day. Ticket holders must collect their tickets at the URBTIX outlets or from the self-service ticketing kiosks elsewhere on or before August 30. For details on the locations of the outlets and kiosks, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
 
     An LCSD spokesman reminded the public that as it will take time to verify personal particulars under the real-name registration arrangement and all persons will need to undergo security checks before entering the venues, the waiting time for attendees to enter the relevant venues may be lengthened. The venues will open around 75 minutes before each show starts. To avoid missing any of the events, the LCSD suggests that members of the public arrive early.
 
     Real-name ticketing is required for ticket purchases. The full English name of each ticket holder will be printed on each ticket. Each ticket holder must present a proof of identity with photo that matches the name on the ticket for verification upon entry; failure to do so will result in denied admission and no refunds. Ticket holders may not make unauthorised amendments to the information as printed on the ticket or transfer the ticket for another's use. Audience members, after entry, are advised to retain their tickets for prize quiz and ticket inspection purposes.
 
     To ensure public safety and order, audience members should observe the house rules, follow the instructions of on-site staff, and refrain from bringing prohibited items into the venues, or else they will be denied entry or be removed from the venues. The relevant house rules have been uploaded to the LCSD's designated website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/paris2024/rules.html.
 
     The latest information will be announced on the dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/paris2024/index.html).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
*"Pro rata ratio" refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant’s tendered amount at the "highest yield accepted" level.

———————————————————

     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning September 2, 2024: