Tag Archives: China

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Bank of East Asia, Limited relating to a fraudulent website and an internet banking login screen, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website or login screen concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued today (May 15) a tentative issuance schedule for Exchange Fund Bills and Notes (EFBNs) for the coming… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published today (May 15) the credit card lending survey results for the first quarter of 2025.   &nbsp… read more

     Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for March 2025 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 15) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
 
     In March 2025, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 15.8% and 13.5% respectively over March 2024.
 
     For the first quarter of 2025 as a whole, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 8.7% and 7.3% respectively over the same period in 2024.
 
     Comparing the first quarter of 2025 with the fourth quarter of 2024 on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 9.5% and 7.5% respectively.
 
     Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
 
     Comparing March 2025 with March 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods both increased by 2.1%.
 
     As regards price changes in the first quarter of 2025 over the same period in 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 1.9% and 2.0% respectively.
 
     Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.
 
     The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same periods in 2024, the index remained virtually unchanged in March 2025, whereas it decreased by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025.
 
     Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
 
     Comparing March 2025 with March 2024, increases were recorded for the total export volume to Taiwan (52.4%), Vietnam (40.0%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (22.3%) and the USA (9.6%). On the other hand, the total export volume to India decreased by 7.0%.
 
     Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to Taiwan (5.7%), the Mainland (2.1%), Vietnam (1.4%) and the USA (1.2%) increased. On the other hand, the total export prices to India decreased by 0.7%.
 
     Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
 
     Comparing March 2025 with March 2024, increases were recorded for the import volume from Vietnam (80.6%), Taiwan (66.4%) and the Mainland (7.2%). On the other hand, the import volume from Singapore (-4.6%) and Korea (-26.9%) decreased.
 
     Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Korea (6.7%), Taiwan (3.4%), Singapore (2.7%), Vietnam (2.6%) and the Mainland (0.5%).
 
Further information
 
     Details of the above statistics are published in the March 2025 issue of “Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers”.  Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020006&scode=230).
 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918). read more

     Hong Kong Customs conducted a joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaign with members of the Kwai Tsing District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health and the Housing Department (HD) at Cheung Hong Estate and Cheung Ching Estate in Tsing Yi today (May 15).

     Customs officers promoted anti-illicit cigarette messages to residents, traders and security personnel at the Estates, including the Government’s proposal to make amendments to the existing legislation to increase penalties for illicit cigarette-related offences, and also encouraged them to report suspected illicit cigarette trading activities to Customs. 

     If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public, especially young people, not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.

     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at the source, as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling, to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities. Also, Customs will strengthen publicity and education to remind the public not to take part in unlawful acts related to illicit cigarettes.

     In accordance with the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years. Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002). 

     In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotion leaflets). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public may report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflets distribution to TACO’s hotline 2961 8823.