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     The general public in Hong Kong has a high awareness of intellectual property (IP) rights protection and respect for IP rights, according to the results of the Survey on Public Awareness of Intellectual Property Right Protection 2018 announced by the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) today (February 11).

     A total of 1 003 members of the public responded to the survey. An overwhelming majority (96.1 per cent) of the respondents consider it necessary to protect intellectual property (IP) rights in Hong Kong. Most of the respondents shared the view that IP rights protection is instrumental to the development of local creative industries (79.9 per cent) and the overall economic development of Hong Kong (69.1 per cent).

     Over 85 per cent of them are aware that legislation is in place in Hong Kong for protecting copyright, trademarks and patents. Moreover, 75.8 per cent of the respondents said that they do not buy any pirated or counterfeit goods (up from 70.9 per cent in 2016 as revealed by the previous survey), and 78.1 per cent shared the view that “it is morally wrong to buy pirated or counterfeit goods even knowing that it is an infringement of IP rights” (up from 74 per cent in 2016).

     The Director of Intellectual Property, Ms Ada Leung, said, “The Government attaches great importance to the protection of IP rights and adopts a multi-pronged strategy for IP rights protection with a comprehensive legislative framework, rigorous enforcement action and sustained public education. It is encouraging to see that the awareness of IP rights protection and respect for IP rights remain high among the general public in Hong Kong.”

     Respondents were also asked about their shopping habits in the survey. On the channels through which pirated or counterfeit goods were purchased, the most frequently cited sources were physical shops (39.7 per cent), followed by street stalls (31.4 per cent) and online shops (21 per cent). When compared with the findings in the 2016 survey, there is a noticeable decrease in respect of physical shops (47.3 per cent in 2016), whereas a significant increase is observed for online shops (9.4 per cent in 2016).

     While online shops and channels are gaining increasing popularity, among the respondents who would shop online, 67 per cent said that when they bought, for example, products with cartoon characters or brand logos, they would pay attention to whether the products were genuine.

     With regard to the use of copyright content, 44.3 per cent of Internet users indicated that they would “definitely” or “possibly” opt for paid online authorised platforms to listen to songs, watch movies online or download songs/movies/computer software/ games/e-books, representing a continuing upward trend since 2008 (21 per cent). Meanwhile, 70.2 per cent of respondents agreed that “it is morally wrong to listen to music or watch movies/TV shows online even knowing that they are pirated versions”, which is also higher than the past survey result.

     “We note that more and more consumers are shopping online and the IPD is committed to further enhancing public awareness on online IP rights protection through different channels, including the social media. We will also keep up our efforts in engaging the public, especially the younger generation, through various educational and promotional programmes,” Ms Leung added.
 
     On the “No Fakes Pledge” scheme jointly operated by the IPD and a number of retail and industry associations, 60.3 per cent of respondents indicated that they had heard of the scheme. Under the scheme, shoppers can easily distinguish reliable traders selling genuine goods by the “No Fakes” stickers displayed in their shop windows. Out of these respondents, 87.9 per cent of them also considered the scheme helpful in building the confidence of consumers and tourists for shopping in Hong Kong, and in strengthening Hong Kong’s status as a “shoppers’ paradise”.

     Similar surveys have been commissioned by the IPD from time to time since 1999 to gauge public awareness of IP rights protection in Hong Kong. The last survey was conducted in 2016. A report on the latest survey is available on the IPD’s webpage (www.ipd.gov.hk/eng/promotion_edu/survey.htm). read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (February 11) that the official foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong amounted to US$432.0 billion as at the end of January 2019 (end-December 2018: US$424.7 billion) (Annex).
 
     Including unsettled foreign exchange contracts, the foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong at the end of January 2019 amounted to US$424.9 billion (end-December 2018: US$417.5 billion).
 
     The total foreign currency reserve assets of US$432.0 billion represent about seven times the currency in circulation or 47 per cent of Hong Kong dollar M3.
 
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     At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS). The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of February 2019, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
 

      Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after attending a public function today (February 11):

Reporter: Could you tell us about the control of influenza, as primary schools are now coming back from the holiday?

Secretary for Food and Health: All the children, at least most of them, are now back to school. While the influenza situation continues to be at a high level, the trend is actually going down in terms of the number of samples tested positive. Therefore, we will continue to monitor the situation to see whether there are any outbreaks and the overall situation. I also appeal to especially the high-risk groups, such as the elderly population as well as the young kids, to be vigilant about their hygiene. If they still haven’t got their vaccination, please go ahead to have flu vaccines. 

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     Tens of thousands of people visited the two-day Sydney Lunar Festival Dragon Boat Races in Darling Harbour of Sydney in Australia on February 9 and 10 (Sydney time), with many of them learning more about Hong Kong’s strengths in a marquee set up by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO).

      With fabrics printed with images of the magnificent Hong Kong skyline and colourful photos of various large-scale sports events held in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Marathon, the Hong Kong Sevens, the FIA Formula E Championship, an equestrian competition and the Hong Kong leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, the marquee set up by the HKETO showcased Hong Kong’s strengths as a sports hub.

     Also available at the marquee were various pamphlets about the latest developments of Hong Kong such as those on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, talent admission schemes and the Basic Law. Souvenirs promoting Hong Kong’s green living and Hong Kong branding were also very well received.

     The Sydney Lunar Festival is Sydney’s largest Lunar New Year event organised by the City of Sydney, and is the largest celebration of the Lunar New Year outside Asia. During the festival held from February 1 to 10 (Sydney time), various events including a lunar lanterns display, dragon boat races and cultural performances were held.

     The Dragon Boat Races at Cockle Bay in Sydney’s Darling Harbour were a highlight of the festival. The two-day regatta, with over 3 000 paddlers competing and more than 100 000 spectators every year, is the biggest dragon boat event in the southern hemisphere. The Hong Kong Team organised by the HKETO competed in the Social Category of the races on February 10 (Sydney time). It was the focus of much cheering and excitement among spectators. Meanwhile, three races were named the Hong Kong Connect Cup, the Hong Kong Excel Cup and the Hong Kong Super Cup with trophies presented by the Director of the HKETO, Mr Raymond Fan.

     “This festive event brought a lot of joy and excitement to the Sydney community and we are delighted to be part of it once again,” a spokesman for the HKETO said today (February 11, Sydney time).

     “To share the joy of the Lunar New Year with members of the public in Sydney, the HKETO also displayed Hong Kong-themed banners with Lunar New Year greeting messages in some key city locations of Sydney during the Lunar New Year period,” the spokesman added.

              

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 (February 11) that due to a … read more