Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 23) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for September 2018. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.7% in September 2018 over the same month a year earlier, larger than the corresponding increase (2.3%) in August 2018. 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 September 2018 was 3.1%. This increase was also larger than that in August 2018 (2.6%), mainly due to the increases in school fees and the upward adjustment in public housing rentals.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period from July to September 2018 was 0.2%, the same as that for the 3-month period from June to August 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period from July to September 2018 was 0.2%, the same as that for the 3-month period from June to August 2018.

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.3%, 2.5% and 2.4% respectively in September 2018, as compared to 2.5%, 2.2% and 2.0% respectively in August 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 3.6%, 2.9% and 2.7% respectively in September 2018, as compared to 2.8%, 2.6% and 2.3% respectively in August 2018.

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period from July to September 2018, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.3%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period from June to August 2018 were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the corresponding average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period from July to September 2018 were 0.3%, 0.1% and 0.1% respectively, and the corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period from June to August 2018 were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.

     Amongst the various CPI components, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in September 2018 for food (excluding meals bought away from home) (5.1% in both the Composite CPI and CPI(A)); electricity, gas and water (3.8% in the Composite CPI and 4.2% in the CPI(A)); housing (2.9% in the Composite CPI and 4.4% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous services (2.9% in the Composite CPI and 1.7% in the CPI(A)); meals bought away from home (2.8% in both the Composite CPI and CPI(A)); clothing and footwear (2.5% in the Composite CPI and 3.1% in the CPI(A)); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (2.2% in the Composite CPI and 2.3% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous goods (1.6% in the Composite CPI and 2.0% in the CPI(A)) and transport (1.3% in the Composite CPI and 1.1% in the CPI(A)).

     On the other hand, year-on-year decrease in prices was recorded in September 2018 for durable goods (-1.8% in the Composite CPI and -1.7% in the CPI(A)). 

     Taking the first 9 months of 2018 together, the Composite CPI rose by 2.3% over a year earlier. The corresponding increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.6%, 2.3% and 2.2% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the Composite CPI, CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.5%, 2.8%, 2.5% and 2.4% respectively in the first 9 months of 2018 over a year earlier.

     In the third quarter of 2018, the Composite CPI rose by 2.5% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.8%, 2.4% and 2.2% respectively.  The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.8%, 3.1%, 2.8% and 2.5% respectively.

     For the 12 months ended September 2018, the Composite CPI was on average 2.2% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.3%, 2.1% and 2.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 2.3%, 2.5%, 2.3% and 2.2% respectively. 

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that the underlying inflation rate went up to 3.1% in September, mainly on account of special factors including the upward adjustment in public housing rentals and increase in school fees as the effects of the government subsidy schemes introduced a year earlier dissipated.

     Looking ahead, the inflation rate may still be subject to some mild upward pressure in the rest of the year, as local costs have increased along with the sustained economic expansion, and as the earlier rises in fresh-letting residential rentals would also continue to feed through. The Government will monitor the situation closely, particularly the impact on the lower-income people.

Further information

     The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for September 2018 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after removing 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 September 2018 issue of the “Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index” (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=B1060001), the time series of CPIs at detailed level (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600001), the time series of CPIs at COICOP division level (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600002) and the time series of CPIs after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600003) free of charge at the website of the C&SD.

     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

     A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said today (October 23) that the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) has submitted the report of the 2018 Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) to the EDB.
      
     The spokesman said, “In 2018, the Primary Three TSA was conducted on the basis of ‘no student names, no school names, no collection of reports and selection of participants by sampling’. About 10 per cent of Primary Three students from public sector and Direct Subsidy Scheme schools in the territory were sampled to participate in the Primary Three TSA. Primary schools which have arranged for all their Primary Three students to participate in the assessment will be provided with school-level data directly by the HKEAA later for use as feedback on learning and teaching. The EDB will not obtain school reports of individual schools from the HKEAA.”
      
     The performance in the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics of the Primary Three and Secondary Three students who participated in the TSA this year remains steady. As the Primary Three TSA this year was conducted on a sampling basis, the HKEAA processed the related data through statistical methodology to calculate the territory-wide basic competency attainment rates in the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics. As in previous years, the attainment rates of different levels were calculated against the basic competency standards set in 2004.
      
     The spokesman added, “The new arrangements for the Primary Three TSA and related enhancement measures have re-established the TSA as a low-stakes assessment without the need for drilling, and the education sector is generally satisfied with the new arrangements. According to the information provided by the HKEAA, schools which have arranged for all their Primary Three students to participate in the assessment have selected school reports with different coverage according to their school-based and subject-based needs, with the information analysis report being particularly popular. Schools agree that assessment reports provide useful information which helps them develop more appropriate curriculum plans and learning and teaching strategies, and implement ‘assessment for learning’ in the classroom.”
      
     The EDB has regularised the four enhancement measures, namely improving assessment papers and question design, enhancing school reports, strengthening professional support measures and including a questionnaire survey on students’ learning attitude and motivation, and will continue to support schools in promoting “assessment for learning” to encourage sharing of good teaching practices among schools. The EDB will organise seminars on the 2018 TSA arrangements to promote “assessment for learning”. Effective ways of using assessment data and information to enhance learning and teaching will be introduced. The seminars will be held in November. Teachers can sign up via the EDB training calendar.
      
     The EDB will continue to strengthen public education on how to make good use of assessment information to improve learning and teaching. The EDB will also closely observe the implementation of the new arrangements for the Primary Three TSA through various channels including inspections, school visits and daily contacts, with a view to maintaining communication with schools and stakeholders and exploring room for continuous improvement and follow-up arrangements.
      
     The territory-wide percentages of students achieving basic competencies in the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics from 2004 to 2018 are shown in the Annex. Details of the TSA and this year’s results can be found on the HKEAA’s website (www.bca.hkeaa.edu.hk). read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 is 105.7 (up 0.3 against yesterday’s index). read more

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 (LCSD) announced today (October 23) that Silver Mine Bay Beach in Islands District will reopen tomorrow (October 24). The beach was temporarily closed earlier for clearance of debris and fallen trees as well as repairs of the shark prevention net and beach facilities after the typhoon.

     Thirteen beaches under the LCSD have been reopened recently. They are Butterfly Beach, Castle Peak Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Cafeteria New Beach and Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District; Hoi Mei Wan Beach, Approach Beach, Anglers’ Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach in Tsuen Wan District; Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach in Islands District; and Repulse Bay Beach in Southern District.

     Meanwhile, other gazetted beaches in Southern, Tsuen Wan, Islands and Sai Kung Districts, including Deep Water Bay Beach which is normally open all year round, will remain closed until further notice as much longer time is needed for repairing beach facilities and damaged shark prevention nets or clearing debris due to the severe damage brought about by the typhoon earlier. Red flags have been hoisted at these beaches.

     The LCSD reminds members of the public not to go to the beaches that are temporarily closed, and not to swim or participate in other activities at those beaches for the sake of safety. read more

     â€‹The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (October 23) that stalls at the 2019 Lunar New Year (LNY) fairs will be put up for open auction starting from November 5.     &nb… read more