The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will attend the inaugural Forum of Chief Legal Advisors organised by the Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore tomorrow (July 26) to discuss topics including international investment dispute settlements, and exchange views with more than 20 representatives from other jurisdictions on international legal and dispute resolution services at the roundtable sessions, to promote the advantages and opportunities of Hong Kong's legal services to participants.

     This morning (July 25), Mr Lam attended the 125th Anniversary Commemorative Event of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and the event's networking lunch. Established in 1899 and located at The Hague in the Netherlands, the PCA is an intergovernmental organisation which aims to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states. He also paid a visit to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore to explore collaboration opportunities on future initiatives.

     In the afternoon, Mr Lam had a bilateral meeting with the Attorney General of India, Mr R Venkataramani, to exchange views on areas of common interest. He then had a meeting with the Singapore Academy of Law to discuss the development of lawtech in the region and potential co-operation between the two sides on capacity building and other exchange activities for the legal profession. He will attend a dinner with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Singapore, Mr Cao Zhongming, in the evening to brief him on the latest legal developments in Hong Kong.

     Upon arrival in Singapore yesterday afternoon, Mr Lam met with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore, Mr Sundaresh Menon, to discuss matters of mutual interest. He also visited the Maxwell Chambers to exchange views on providing integrated facilities and services for the conduct of alternative dispute resolution activities.

     Mr Lam will depart for Hong Kong tomorrow evening.

            

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (July 25).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

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 –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

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 Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 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 –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, 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

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (July 25) the Complaints Watch Issue No. 24, which highlights the latest banking complaint trends, emerging topical issues, and areas that Authorized Institutions (AIs) should be alert to. The Complaints Watch is a semi-annual publication aiming at promoting proper standards of conduct and prudent business practices among AIs. 
      
     In the first half of 2024, the HKMA received 1,425 banking complaints, representing a decrease of 8 per cent as compared to the same period last year. Whereas the number of fraud-related banking complaints dropped notably by 45 per cent to 350 cases, the number of complaints about operation of banking accounts jumped by 78 per cent to 390 cases. The latter cases were mainly related to account reviews undertaken by a few retail banks during the period, which resulted in requests for additional information and documents from the account holders. The HKMA has followed up with these institutions and required them to improve their processes with a view to minimising dissatisfaction among their customers.
      
     This issue of Complaints Watch contains two feature articles "Handling Enquiries about Deceased Accounts" and "Providing Mortgage Related Information in Property Transactions". 
      
     The Complaints Watch is available on the HKMA website.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 25) the external merchandise trade statistics for June 2024. In June 2024, the values of Hong Kong's total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 10.7% and 9.0% respectively.

     In June 2024, the value of total exports of goods increased by 10.7% over a year earlier to $373.5 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 14.8% in May 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 9.0% over a year earlier to $429.2 billion in June 2024, after a year-on-year increase by 9.6% in May 2024. A visible trade deficit of $55.7 billion, equivalent to 13.0% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in June 2024.

     For the first half of 2024 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 12.2% over the same period in 2023. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 7.7%. A visible trade deficit of $161.0 billion, equivalent to 6.9% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first half of 2024.

     Comparing the second quarter of 2024 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 1.9%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods decreased by 0.9%.

Analysis by country/territory

     Comparing June 2024 with June 2023, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 10.7%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+36.3%), Taiwan (+35.3%), Vietnam (+32.1%), Thailand (+21.0%), Singapore (+17.9%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+11.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to India (-23.3%).

     Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations in other regions, in particular the USA (+40.6%), Germany (+17.6%) and the Netherlands (+10.1%).

     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+66.6%), Korea (+40.6%), Singapore (+16.1%), Malaysia (+12.3%) and the Mainland (+11.7%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Japan (-5.9%).

     For the first half of 2024 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Thailand (+32.1%), Vietnam (+23.5%), the Mainland (+19.4%), the USA (+16.6%) and the United Arab Emirates (+13.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the Netherlands (-20.2%).

     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Korea (+53.2%), Vietnam (+47.2%), Singapore (+23.0%), the Mainland (+9.3%) and Thailand (+8.5%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of imports from the Philippines (-15.4%) and Taiwan (-6.3%).

Analysis by major commodity

     Comparing June 2024 with June 2023, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $12.6 billion or +39.4%), "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $6.0 billion or +3.5%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $5.6 billion or +14.0%).

     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $16.6 billion or +66.0%) and "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $11.6 billion or +6.3%).

     For the first half of 2024 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $114.2 billion or +12.4%), "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $47.5 billion or +25.5%) and "telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment" (by $30.7 billion or +13.0%).

     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular "electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof" (by $90.3 billion or +9.6%) and "office machines and automatic data processing machines" (by $33.9 billion or +22.6%).

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to post double-digit growth in June 2024 over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland, the United States and the European Union all grew visibly. Those to many other major Asian markets saw increases of varying degree.

     Looking ahead, Hong Kong's export performance should stay positive if external demand holds up, but the escalating geopolitical and trade tensions will continue to bring uncertainties. The Government will monitor the situation closely.

Further information

     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for June 2024. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2021 to June 2024, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.

     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for June 2024 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.

     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for June 2024.

     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for June 2024 will be released in mid-August 2024.

     The June 2024 issue of "Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade" contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong's external merchandise trade in June 2024 and will be available in early August 2024. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).

     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691). 

     The Lands Department today (July 25) posted land resumption notices in accordance with relevant ordinances to provide land for the construction of public facilities, and carrying out road and sewerage works at Tung Chung New Town Extension.
      
     Section 4 of the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124), section 14 of the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance (Chapter 370) and section 14 of Chapter 370 as applied by section 26 of the Water Pollution Control (Sewerage) Regulation (Chapter 358, Subsidiary Legislation AL) will be invoked.
      
     Six hundred and thirty-two private lots with a total area of about 65 100 square metres will be resumed by the Government. The land will revert to the Government upon the expiry of a period of three months from the date of affixing the notices (i.e. October 26, 2024).
      
     The Government will maintain close liaison with the relevant land owners and affected parties, and properly handle their compensation matters.
      
     The works mentioned above will provide public facilities for the public, and also serve the anticipated traffic demand under Tung Chung New Town Extension Development. The sewerage works will improve the sanitary conditions in Tung Chung West. The works is expected for completion in stages in around six years.