Tag Archives: China

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (May 21) officiated at the completion ceremony of the Fire Services Department (FSD)’s Married Quarters at Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O. The quarters, built using a total of 3 726 concrete modules, is the first high-rise building project adopting the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) method as a concrete construction approach in Hong Kong.
 
     Mrs Lam said in the speech that the adoption of the MiC method would reduce construction time by 30 to 50 per cent and save construction costs by about 10 per cent. In addition, productivity, construction workmanship, sustainability and safety could be improved. The Government will continue to encourage the construction industry to adopt MiC in suitable building types, she said, adding she hoped that this innovative technology could be more extensively used in different types of public and private development projects. There are currently more than 60 projects adopting MiC.
 
     Mrs Lam pointed out that the project, combined with many young talents, showcases the success of “Construction 2.0” which advocates “innovation”, “professionalisation” and “revitalisation”, with a view to enhancing the capacity and sustainability of the construction industry.
      
     Mrs Lam visited one of the units after the completion ceremony. The Married Quarters for the FSD at Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O, comprises five blocks of quarters of 16 to 17 storeys, providing 648 three-bedroom units. It is one of the pilot projects of the Government to promote the adoption of MiC.

        

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (May 21) for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
      
     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
      
     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
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 –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
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 North Park (Zone B) Activity Room
29 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 –
King Lam Neighbourhood Community Centre
King Lam Estate, 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
 
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 22 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For the addresses of the community centres and community halls, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more

     Hongkong Post today (May 21) announced that seven sets of special stamps will be issued from July to December 2021, offering an extraordinary collection of stamps encompassing a variety of themes and refreshing designs with distinct features.
      
     Taking the lead is the first issue, entitled “The 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China”. It has been 100 years since the Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded in July 1921. To mark the 100th anniversary of the CPC since its founding, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps and a stamp sheetlet on July 1 (Thursday). The stamps and the stamp sheetlet adopt the official logo of the CPC’s 100th anniversary celebrations, which includes the image and the title in its design, while the 56 beams radiating from the logo signify the CPC’s endeavour of striving for advancement that shines all over the country. The CPC flag in bright red extends across each of the stamps to present the founding and development of the new China led by the CPC, as well as its objectives to seek happiness for the Chinese people, rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and universal brotherhood for the world. The “one country, two systems” principle has been successfully implemented in Hong Kong under the leadership of the CPC and the Central People’s Government. Hong Kong, as a Special Administrative Region, has been able to maintain its prosperity and stability, and integrate into the overall development of the country.
      
     The four stamps present different important themes. The $2 stamp has the theme of “An Epoch-making Moment”, depicting 106 Rue Wantz (now 76 Xingye Road) in Shanghai and the Red Boat at Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing where the First CPC National Congress was held in 1921. That was also the year when the CPC’s founding was declared. The $3.70 stamp features the Great Wall and the Tiananmen Tower in Beijing, with the theme of “The Founding of the New China”. This represents not only the struggle and perseverance of the Chinese nation, but also the inauguration of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China proclaimed on the Tiananmen Tower in Beijing in 1949, officially unveiling the new China striving for progression. The $4.90 stamp is entitled “Reform and Opening Up”, juxtaposing the countryside with a good harvest and the rapid urban development to show that the policy of reform and opening up was implemented in China after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC in 1978. As for the $5 stamp, the theme “Towards Rejuvenation” is a demonstration of the remarkable achievements in science and technology of China in the 21st century. In China’s first Mars mission, the Tianwen-1 space probe was successfully launched, setting off on the nation’s independent journey to Mars exploration. The Chinese railway network has expanded rapidly with an extension for high-speed trains reaching Hong Kong direct, underscoring the country’s outstanding scientific development.
      
     The stamp sheetlet themed on “Heading for a New Era” shows the Chinese national flag and the Hong Kong regional flag flying side by side, coupled with auspicious clouds and fireworks, illustrating Hong Kong’s celebration of the CPC’s 100th anniversary. It also shows the return of Hong Kong to the motherland in 1997, the 2008 Beijing Olympic equestrian events held in Hong Kong, and the country’s support for Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic efforts in 2020, testifying to the direction of “one country, two systems” and the way it is put into practice. Also present on the stamp sheetlet is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing in the world, which connects the ports of Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao and is conducive to promoting the sustainable economic development of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and leveraging the overall development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
      
     This issue is absolutely not to be missed, and people can order now before it is gone. People may collect this exceptionally meaningful issue on the issue date (July 1) if they place their orders on or before May 31. The issue will also be available at all 38 philatelic offices, which will be open from 9am to 2pm on the issue date.
      
     To mark the significant occasion of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad Tokyo 2020, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four commemorative stamps on its opening day (July 23) (Friday). Images in vivid colours outlined in gold foil add dynamic appeal to the stamps, and act as a blessing for Hong Kong athletes to achieve their goals in the coming games.
      
     What’s coming next will be a set of six commemorative stamps entitled “180th Anniversary of Hong Kong Postal Service” on August 25 (Wednesday). The stamp design showcases Hongkong Post’s development and evolution alongside the pace of the postal market, its effort to meet the changing expectations and needs of customers, and its contribution in creating a new era of smart postal services.
            
     To carry on the success of collaborating with the renowned comic artist Ma Wing-shing for the “Storm Riders” special stamps last year, Hongkong Post is continuing the collaboration with local comic artists by launching the “Feel 100%” special stamps on September 16 (Thursday). Feel 100% is an original Hong Kong comic created by Lau Wan-Kit. The story is set in Hong Kong and depicts an intricate metropolitan love story. It was adapted into movies and a television drama that were popular among the younger generation of the time. Hongkong Post will issue a set of six stamps and two stamp sheetlets based on the protagonists of the story to re-create the classic scenes of the story on stamps that will take people back to their youth with sweet memories and racing heartbeats.
      
     In addition, Hongkong Post will issue a stamp sheetlet of “World Heritage in China Series No. 10: South China Karst” on October 12 (Tuesday), presenting the unique and magnificent landscapes of the South China Karst. At the same time, a stamp sheetlet under the “The Complete World Heritage in China Series” comprising all the 10 issues will be launched to display all the natural and cultural treasures on one sheetlet, making it a valuable collectible. The special stamp issue entitled “Hong Kong Special Flora” is equally pleasing to the eye. A set of six stamps, featuring an innovative and eye-catching design, will be issued on November 16 (Tuesday) to showcase six species of flowering plants named after Hong Kong.
      
     As a world-class city, Hong Kong has a range of scenic locations that have attracted many filmmakers to shoot on location. Numerous local and foreign classics were shot right here in Hong Kong. Hongkong Post has specially selected four hot spots for filmmakers, namely Kau U Fong, “Monster Building”, Two International Finance Centre and the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, to launch a set of four stamps entitled “Movie Scenic Locations in Hong Kong” on December 2 (Thursday). Santa Claus is featured in the leading role to take people on a tour of memorable film locations on stamps. With a bright and lively tone, the stamps are also printed in a gold and silver frame to boost the festive mood and ring in the joyful holidays.
      
     Customers may place advance orders for the above new stamp products from today on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or the Facebook page “郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps” (www.facebook.com/HKPStamps). Customers who place orders by June 11 (Friday) will receive attractive gifts and bonus points. Further information about placing orders can be obtained from the Hongkong Post Stamps website or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.
      
     A video showcasing these special stamps has been uploaded to www.youtube.com/c/hkpogovhk. Hongkong Post will also share more news on the upcoming stamp issues on both the Facebook page and its Instagram account (www.instagram.com/hkpstamps). Please follow “郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps” to stay tuned to the latest philatelic news. read more

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus (MGI) for April was 5.2 per cent, at Level 2, indicating that mosquito infestation in the areas surveyed was slightly more extensive but maintained at a relatively low level.

     Among the 64 survey areas, only Tseung Kwan O North (31.4 per cent) and Ngau Liu and Muk Min Shan (27.1 per cent) were recorded with gravidtrap indices exceeding the alert level of 20 per cent. The gravidtraps were found in the vicinity of public and private residential areas, schools, university campuses and public places. The FEHD has collaborated with relevant government departments by taking immediate actions to strengthen mosquito prevention and control work in the above-mentioned areas. Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus (MDI) in April was 1.2, which represented that an average of 1.2 Aedes albopictus adult was found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not high in the areas surveyed. As for the port areas, the port monthly gravidtrap index in April was 0.8 per cent, while the port monthly density index in April was 1.1, both remaining at a low level.

     The FEHD reminded the public to carry out effective prevention and control measures against mosquitoes as the hot and rainy summer weather will facilitate mosquitoes to breed quickly. Relevant government departments have also commenced the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations on April 12, during which mosquito breeding places have been cleaned up and fogging has been conducted to kill adult mosquitoes in order to enhance anti-mosquito work.

     “The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue to intensify mosquito prevention and control work covering venues under their purview and strengthen publicity and education. The FEHD is conducting a three-phase territory-wide Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The second phase, lasting for nine weeks, has been launched last month and will run until June 18. During the period, the FEHD and relevant government departments will enhance the mosquito prevention and control work and target areas which have drawn particular concern, such as locations in close proximity to human residences, parks, schools, construction sites, public housing estates, hospitals, illegal cultivation sites, waterfront public and private cargo working areas, cross boundary check points, typhoon shelters and cross boundary ferry terminals to remove the accumulation of water and to carry out mosquito prevention and control work. The FEHD will, after the second phase of the campaign, conduct territory-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control special operations so as to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign,” a spokesman for the FEHD said.

     The area gravidtrap index (AGI) and the area density index (ADI) indicate the extensiveness of distribution and the density of Aedine mosquitoes respectively in that particular survey area, while the MGI and the MDI are enumerated by pooling together all AGIs and ADIs of the same month, which reflect the general situation of Aedes albopictus in all survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

     The spokesman said, “Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) as well as Zika virus infection. DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. The dengue activity in neighbouring areas has remained high and Hong Kong has recorded one imported DF case so far this year. Also, Hong Kong’s hot and rainy summer is conducive to the proliferation of mosquitoes, so the community should stay vigilant and continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures.”

     The spokesman added that as Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, members of the public should carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing the water in vases and scrubbing the inner surfaces, removing the water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. He also advised the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
     
     The spokesman reiterated that effective mosquito control requires the sustained effort of all parties concerned. The community must work together with the Government to carry out effective mosquito control measures. read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for April 2021. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 0.7% in April 2021 over the same month a year earlier, larger than the corresponding increase (0.5%) in March 2021. 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 April 2021 was 0.3%, marginally larger than that in March 2021 (0.2%). The larger increase was mainly due to the increases in local transport fares and the enlarged increases in the prices of motor fuel.   

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending April 2021 was 0.1%, and that for the 3-month period ending March 2021 was 0.4%. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were 0.1% and 0.2%.    

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 0.3% and 0.4% respectively in April 2021, as compared to 1.3%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively in March 2021. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of change in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.8%, 0.0% and 0.2% respectively in April 2021, as compared to 0.7%, -0.2% and 0.0% respectively in March 2021.    

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending April 2021, the average monthly rates of change in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.0% respectively. The corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending March 2021 were 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.2% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of change in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending April 2021 were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.0% respectively, and the corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending March 2021 were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.    

     Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in April 2021 for electricity, gas and water (23.5%); food (excluding meals bought away from home) (1.6%); transport (1.5%); meals bought away from home (0.8%); clothing and footwear (0.7%) as well as miscellaneous services (0.3%).    

     On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in April 2021 for housing (-0.6%), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-0.3%) as well as miscellaneous goods (-0.3%).    

     As for durable goods, the Composite CPI remained unchanged over a year earlier.    

     Taking the first four months of 2021 together, the Composite CPI rose by 0.9% over a year earlier. The respective rates of change in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.4%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of change after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 0.0%, 0.4%, -0.3% and -0.2% respectively.    

     For the 3 months ending April 2021, the Composite CPI rose by 0.5% over a year earlier. The respective rates of change in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.2%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively. The corresponding rates of change after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 0.1%, 0.6%, -0.1% and 0.0%.  

     For the 12 months ending April 2021, the Composite CPI remained unchanged over a year earlier. The respective rates of change in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were -0.1%, 0.0% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of change after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 0.4%, 0.8%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively.  

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that the underlying consumer price inflation rate edged up to 0.3% in April, mainly reflecting higher local transportation prices amid the smaller MTR fare rebate and the bus fare increase. Meanwhile, price pressures on other major CPI components remained very mild.

     Looking ahead, overall price pressures should stay mild in the near term as the local economy is still operating below its capacity. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Further information

     The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for April 2021 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out 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 3 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 April 2021 issue of the “Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270), the time series of CPIs at detailed level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600001&scode=270), the time series of CPIs at COICOP division level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600002&scode=270) and the time series of CPIs after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600003&scode=270) at the website of the C&SD.

     The current CPI series are compiled based on the expenditure patterns obtained from the 2014/15 Household Expenditure Survey (HES). The 2019/20 HES has been conducted to collect information for updating the expenditure weights of the CPI series and the new 2019/20-based CPI series will be available in end May 2021. As a result of the rebasing exercise, the year-on-year changes of the new 2019/20-based CPI series will be compiled from October 2020 onwards. The year-on-year changes compiled from the new 2019/20-based CPI series may be different from those compiled from the current 2014/15-based CPI series. The 2014/15-based CPI series will continue to be compiled and published until the reference month of December 2021.

     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