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 (May 21) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Tong Fuk Beach in Islands District; and Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Census and Statistics Department today (May 21) reminded the management of the establishments selected in the 2018 round of the Annual Survey of Economic Activities to return the completed questionnaires to the department on or before May 31, 2019. The questionnaires were mailed earlier this year to about 20 000 selected establishments.

     The survey aims to collect up-to-date statistical data from the selected establishments, so as to compile statistics on business performance and operating characteristics of various economic sectors for evaluating their contribution to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product. The survey results are useful to both the Government and the private sector in formulating policies and making decisions.

     The Annual Survey of Economic Activities is a mandatory survey conducted under Part III of the Census and Statistics Ordinance (Chapter 316). According to section 13(1) of the Ordinance, any person to whom a questionnaire relating to a statistical survey is delivered shall complete the questionnaire or cause it to be completed by other persons to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, and in the manner specified in the questionnaire, and then return the questionnaire on or before the specified date. The Ordinance also stipulates that all collected data which may enable identification of individual establishments should be kept in strict confidence and should not be released to any unauthorised parties including government departments. Such data will be used for compiling statistics which will not enable information relating to individual establishments to be revealed.

     The department would like to thank the establishments which have already returned the questionnaires, and appeal for the co-operation of other establishments which have been selected in the current survey by returning the completed questionnaires to the department on or before May 31. Any respondent who is unable to return the completed questionnaire of the above survey on or before May 31 is required to indicate the reason(s) for such delay and a reasonable date by which the completed questionnaire will be returned to the department.

     The questionnaire has been designed so that respondents can complete it themselves by following the relevant explanatory notes. If necessary, officers of the department will visit individual establishments and assist them in completing the questionnaire. These officers will each carry a Government/Enumerator Identity Card and a certificate for conducting the survey, which are available for inspection.

     The department also pointed out that audited accounts are not essential for the supply of income and expenditure data required for the survey. The department accepts figures based on preliminary accounts or estimates which are correct to the best of the respondents' knowledge at the time of submitting the questionnaires. 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the service demand surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     Hongkong Post announced today (May 21) that a new set of special stamps on the theme "Heartwarming", together with a special stamp issue of "Stamp Sheetlet to Commemorate Hongkong Post's Participation in the CHINA 2019 World Stamp Exhibition", will be released for sale on June 11 (Tuesday).
 
     The new set of "Heartwarming" stamps features six stamp designs, four for local mail postage and two for air mail postage. A local mail postage stamp is valid for a local small letter weighing 30 grams or less whereas an air mail postage stamp can be used to send a small letter by air mail weighing 20 grams or less to any place around the world. The Customised Service for Heartwarming Stamps is also available for tagging personalised photos or images to customised mini-panes. These stamps are ideal choices for celebrating joyous occasions by mail.
 
     Separately, the China 2019 World Stamp Exhibition will be held in Wuhan, Hubei, from June 11 to 17 in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and promotion of postal and philatelic development. Hongkong Post will issue a stamp sheetlet to commemorate its participation in this spectacular event. The stamp sheetlet will present the exhibition logo featuring a stylised carrier pigeon outlined with stamp perforations and Wuhan's iconic Yellow Crane Tower, together with colourful silhouettes of landmarks of Hong Kong and Wuhan to signify the philatelic interaction of the two cities.
 
     Information about the two special stamp issues and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk and via the Hongkong Post mobile app. 

          

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, began his visit to London, the United Kingdom (UK) yesterday (May 20, London time) to update the UK business and political sectors on Hong Kong's latest economic developments and explore opportunities for further co-operation in trade and creative industries.

     Mr Yau called on the UK's Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Mark Field and the Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox separately to discuss matters relating to global and bilateral trade issues.

     Noting that economic relations, trade and investment between Hong Kong and the UK have gone from strength to strength which is evident in the high value of trade in goods and services as well as the flow of foreign direct investment between the two sides, Mr Yau said he hoped that both sides can build on their strong foundation to continue enhancing trade and economic co-operation.

     Mr Yau also visited two UK-based international think tanks. He first met with the Director of Chatham House, Dr Robin Niblett, to exchange views on issues related to global economic developments and how UK enterprises can tap into the Mainland market through the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

     Mr Yau then held a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Legatum Institute, Baroness Philippa Stroud. He was delighted to learn that Hong Kong had topped the Global Index of Economic Openness (GIEO) 2019 recently released by the Institute, which underlined the Government's steadfast commitment in upholding the free market principles. The GIEO ranked 157 economies' openness to commerce and included an analysis of what enables or hinders each economy's ability to trade domestically and internationally. Hong Kong was ranked the world's most open economy this year.

     Mr Yau also attended a lunch with the Committee of the Hong Kong Association, at which he shared his insights with local business leaders on the latest trade and economic situation in Hong Kong, and the opportunities available for Hong Kong in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative.

     In the evening, Mr Yau attended a seminar on creative industries and design jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London and Invest Hong Kong, and supported by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the UK's Department for International Trade. The seminar was attended by more than 80 local stakeholders from various creative sectors. Mr Yau and the UK's Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade, Mr Graham Stuart, delivered keynote addresses at the seminar.

     Speaking at the seminar, Mr Yau talked about Hong Kong's efforts in spurring the development of creative industries. He also emphasised the opportunities Hong Kong offers to UK businesses in exploring the Mainland China and Asian markets, as well as the eagerness of Hong Kong's creative industries to embark on more collaborations with the UK counterparts.

     Prior to the seminar, Mr Yau met with the Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries of the UK, Ms Margot James, to exchange views on how to drive closer collaboration between Hong Kong and the UK in creative industries. He said he looked forward to furthering the partnership between the two places at the Business of Design Week 2019 this December.

     Mr Yau will continue his visit to London today (May 21, London time).