Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Hong Kong Museum of Art today (July 19) announced that Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd has generously donated its private collection of 355 Chinese painting and calligraphy artworks to the museum for its permanent collection. Of the donated works, the most outstanding pieces comprise Chinese painting and calligraphy artworks from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, rare treasures well known among the international art and museum community. The donation attests to the collector’s recognition of the museum’s efforts to conserve art treasures and promote historic arts. Furthermore, it recognises Hong Kong’s leading role in the preservation of Chinese art and cultural heritage as well as its status as a hub for cultural exchange between the East and the West.
 
      Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd was established by the late Mr Ho Iu-kwong (1907-2006) in 1985 with a mission to preserve Chinese painting and calligraphy and promote the art and cultural heritage of China. His studio was named Chih Lo Lou, meaning “bliss”, for the pleasure that one derives from appreciating ancient masterpieces, and alludes to a Chinese saying that it is blissful to perform good deeds. The collection is one of the three major private collections of ancient Chinese painting and calligraphy in Hong Kong.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the Chih Lo Lou Collection of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Donation Ceremony today at Government House and presented a certificate of appreciation to Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd, which was represented by its Chairman, Mr Ho Sai-chu. Mrs Lam also commended the selfless and passionate dedication of the late Mr Ho Iu-kwong – the original owner of the Chih Lo Lou Collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy – in preserving Chinese cultural heritage.
 
     The donated works span from the Song dynasty to the 20th century, with late Ming and early Qing paintings and calligraphy being the most numerous, and chronicle the aesthetics of different times and regions. The collection comprises works by members of the Four Ming Masters, including Wen Zhengming and Tang Yin, and their followers. Among others, the works reflect the supremacy of the Suzhou art circle; Lan Ying during the late Ming dynasty; and the Songjiang School of painting led by Dong Qichang, who advocated the theory of the Northern and Southern schools of painting and established a proprietary orthodoxy followed by Wang Shimin and Wang Hui of the Four Wangs of the early Qing dynasty. In addition, the collection also includes innovative and individualistic works by Hua Yan and Jin Nong, members of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou during the mid-Qing dynasty.

     The collection is being donated unrecompensed by the Ho family to the Hong Kong Museum of Art for permanent preservation and exhibition. When the museum reopens at the end of 2019, a dedicated gallery named the “Chih Lo Lou Gallery of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy” will be established for permanent display of the collection. A curator and a supporting team will organise exhibitions and undertake research and educational initiatives to promote Chinese art through the collection. Hong Kong residents and art enthusiasts from around the world will be able to visit and appreciate this remarkable collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy and reflect on, as well as empathise with, the vision and dedication of the late Mr Ho.
 
     The most significant and prestigious artworks in the collection are those by the Ming loyalists in the Qing dynasty, which depict their lofty aspirations and noble integrity. The patriotic and principled Ming loyalists coped with their desolation by immersing themselves in travel, painting and writing. Their virtue and nobility still shines from the artworks they left behind. Mr Ho Iu-kwong held high regard and admiration for artists of this period. He also insisted that the artist’s temperament should take precedence over the artwork’s quality, and thus resolved to collect only works by artists of irreproachable character. The Chih Lo Lou Collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy includes works by members of the Four Monks, namely Bada Shanren and Shitao; also Cheng Sui and Dai Benxiao of the Huangshan School; Cantonese loyalists Kwang Lu and Li Suiqiu; and also Huang Daozhou, Fu Shan, Yang Wencong, Chen Hongshou and Gong Xian.
 
     Holding the belief that we should all contribute to society, Chih Lo Lou donated its invaluable collection to the Hong Kong Museum of Art for permanent exhibition and education purposes. This generous act not only justifies Mr Ho’s tireless mission in preserving traditional Chinese art and culture, but also continues his philosophy of recognising Chinese noble virtue. Chih Lo Lou has published more than 40 publications and organised international academic symposia on Chinese art and literature, sparing no effort in advocating traditional Chinese art and culture. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Art Museum of the Chinse University of Hong Kong have each organised well-received exhibitions and international academic symposia related to the Chih Lo Lou Collection in the past.

                

     Correctional officers stopped a 54-year-old male person in custody attempting suicide by hanging at Tai Lam Correctional Institution today (July 19).      At 5.15am today, a correctional officer… read more

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for April – June 2018) released today (July 19) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 2.8% in April – June 2018, same as that in March – May 2018. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.0% in the two periods.

     Comparing April – June 2018 with March – May 2018, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but were generally small in magnitude.

     Total employment increased by around 4 900 from 3 864 900 in March – May 2018 to 3 869 800 in April – June 2018. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 5 000 from 3 977 200 to 3 982 200.

     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) in April – June 2018 was 112 400, about the same as that in March – May 2018 (112 300). The number of underemployed persons in April – June 2018 was 41 400, also about the same as that in March – May 2018 (41 000).

Commentary

     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, said, “Labour market stayed tight in April – June 2018, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate holding steady at 2.8%. The underemployment rate likewise remained unchanged at 1.0%. Total employment sustained solid growth on a year-on-year basis.”

     “Changes in jobless rates for most sectors were minimal when compared to the preceding three-month period. On a year-on-year comparison to net out seasonal fluctuations, most of the major service sectors witnessed improvement in unemployment situation, particularly so in the trade- and tourism-related industries such as import and export trade, retail, and accommodation services.”

     Looking ahead, Dr Law said, “In the near term, the overall labour market is expected to remain tight on the back of a vibrant local economy. Yet, we will stay vigilant to the evolving external uncertainties and monitor their potential impact on the local labour market closely.”

     He noted that the Labour Department (LD) has adopted a series of on-going measures to promote the employment of elderly persons, such as setting up special counters at job centres to provide priority registration and job referral services for elderly job seekers, organising tailor-made employment briefings for the elderly, setting up a dedicated webpage for elderly job seekers on the Interactive Employment Service website and enhancing the functions of the vacancy search terminals to facilitate their access to employment information and search for suitable vacancies.

     On large-scale job fairs, the LD will stage the Kowloon West Job Fair on August 9 and 10 at the Lai Kok Community Hall in Cheung Sha Wan. About 40 employers would participate, offering around 3 400 vacancies from various industries. The LD will also organise the Job Fair for Middle-aged and Elderly Employment on September 20 and 21 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall. In addition, industry-based or district-based job fairs are regularly organised at the LD’s industry-based recruitment centres and job centres located across the territory.

Further Information

     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.

     The survey for April – June 2018 covered a sample of some 25 000 households or 75 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.

     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.

     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization.

     Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the “Quarterly Report on General Household Survey” which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the publication contains statistics for the quarter January – March 2018 while the next issue covering the quarter April – June 2018 will be available by end August 2018. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp200.jsp?productCode=B1050001).

     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the Household Statistics Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk). read more

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for April – June 2018) released today (July 19) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 2.8% in April – June 2018, same as that in March – May 2018. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.0% in the two periods.

     Comparing April – June 2018 with March – May 2018, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but were generally small in magnitude.

     Total employment increased by around 4 900 from 3 864 900 in March – May 2018 to 3 869 800 in April – June 2018. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 5 000 from 3 977 200 to 3 982 200.

     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) in April – June 2018 was 112 400, about the same as that in March – May 2018 (112 300). The number of underemployed persons in April – June 2018 was 41 400, also about the same as that in March – May 2018 (41 000).

Commentary

     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, said, “Labour market stayed tight in April – June 2018, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate holding steady at 2.8%. The underemployment rate likewise remained unchanged at 1.0%. Total employment sustained solid growth on a year-on-year basis.”

     “Changes in jobless rates for most sectors were minimal when compared to the preceding three-month period. On a year-on-year comparison to net out seasonal fluctuations, most of the major service sectors witnessed improvement in unemployment situation, particularly so in the trade- and tourism-related industries such as import and export trade, retail, and accommodation services.”

     Looking ahead, Dr Law said, “In the near term, the overall labour market is expected to remain tight on the back of a vibrant local economy. Yet, we will stay vigilant to the evolving external uncertainties and monitor their potential impact on the local labour market closely.”

     He noted that the Labour Department (LD) has adopted a series of on-going measures to promote the employment of elderly persons, such as setting up special counters at job centres to provide priority registration and job referral services for elderly job seekers, organising tailor-made employment briefings for the elderly, setting up a dedicated webpage for elderly job seekers on the Interactive Employment Service website and enhancing the functions of the vacancy search terminals to facilitate their access to employment information and search for suitable vacancies.

     On large-scale job fairs, the LD will stage the Kowloon West Job Fair on August 9 and 10 at the Lai Kok Community Hall in Cheung Sha Wan. About 40 employers would participate, offering around 3 400 vacancies from various industries. The LD will also organise the Job Fair for Middle-aged and Elderly Employment on September 20 and 21 at the Tuen Mun Town Hall. In addition, industry-based or district-based job fairs are regularly organised at the LD’s industry-based recruitment centres and job centres located across the territory.

Further Information

     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.

     The survey for April – June 2018 covered a sample of some 25 000 households or 75 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.

     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.

     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization.

     Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the “Quarterly Report on General Household Survey” which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the publication contains statistics for the quarter January – March 2018 while the next issue covering the quarter April – June 2018 will be available by end August 2018. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp200.jsp?productCode=B1050001).

     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the Household Statistics Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk). read more

     Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for May 2018 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 19) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
 
     In May 2018, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods increased by 12.9% over May 2017. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 13.5%.
 
     Comparing the first five months of 2018 with the same period in 2017, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods increased by 8.1%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 9.3%.
 
     Comparing the three-month period ending May 2018 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 2.6%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 2.5%.
 
     Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
 
     Comparing May 2018 with May 2017, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.8%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.9%.
 
     As regards price changes in the first five months of 2018 over the same period in 2017, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.4%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.5%.
 
     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 2017, the index decreased by 0.1% in both May 2018 and the first five months of 2018.

     Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
 
     Comparing May 2018 with May 2017, double-digit increases were recorded for the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+15.6%) and Japan (+10.3%). Concurrently, the total export volume to the USA increased by 9.1%.  On the other hand, the total export volume to Taiwan and India decreased by 2.0% and 21.4% respectively.
 
     Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to the USA, the Mainland, Japan and Taiwan increased by 3.2%, 3.2%, 2.6% and 1.0% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to India decreased by 2.1%.
 
     Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
 
     Comparing May 2018 with May 2017, the import volume from Korea and Taiwan increased significantly, by 33.6% and 21.2% respectively. Concurrently, the import volume from Singapore, the Mainland and Japan increased by 18.2%, 15.2% and 6.9% respectively.
 
     Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Korea (+7.2%), the Mainland (+2.8%), Singapore (+2.8%), Japan (+2.3%) and Taiwan (+1.3%).
 
Further information
 
     Details of the above statistics are published in the May 2018 issue of “Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers”.  Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp230.jsp?productCode=B1020006).
 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918). read more