Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:
The Trade and Industry Department announces that as Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 has been cancelled at 4.20pm, its public services will resume tomorrow (July 18).
Attention TV/Radio Announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
The Environmental Protection Department announced today (July 17) that the South East New Territories Landfill at Tseung Kwan O will be reopened at 6pm.
Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for May 2023 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (July 17) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In May 2023, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods and imports of goods decreased by 18.3% and 19.2% respectively over May 2022.
Comparing the first five months of 2023 with the same period in 2022, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods and imports of goods decreased by 19.5% and 16.3% respectively.
Comparing the three-month period ending May 2023 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 1.5% and 0.8% respectively.
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 2023 with May 2022, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods both increased by 3.2%.
As regards price changes in the first five months of 2023 over the same period in 2022, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 4.4% and 3.8% respectively.
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 2022, the index remained virtually unchanged in May 2023, whereas it increased by 0.6% in the first five months of 2023.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing May 2023 with May 2022, declines were recorded for the total export volume to all main destinations: India (-36.7%), Taiwan (-25.7%), the USA (-21.1%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (-19.4%) and Vietnam (-6.4%).
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: India (10.9%), Vietnam (5.0%), the USA (4.8%), the Mainland (2.4%) and Taiwan (0.6%).
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing May 2023 with May 2022, declines were recorded for the import volume from all main suppliers: Singapore (-35.8%), Taiwan (-24.2%), Japan (-15.7%), the Mainland (-14.2%) and the USA (-10.7%).
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Taiwan (6.6%), the Mainland (5.1%), Japan (2.0%), the USA (1.3%) and Singapore (1.3%).
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the May 2023 issue of "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020006&scode=230).
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918).
The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 127th meeting.
Breach of licence condition by Phoenix Satellite Television Company Limited (Phoenix)
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The CA decided that Phoenix, a non-domestic television programme service (non-domestic TV) licensee, has breached Condition 10.1 of its non-domestic TV licence by failing to seek the requisite approval of the CA prior to the implementation of the changes to the shareholding structure of Phoenix during the period from March 28, 2022, to April 11, 2023. Taking into account the circumstances of the case as well as the nature, duration and severity of the breach, the CA decided that Phoenix should be advised to observe the relevant licence condition more closely.
Renewal of non-domestic TV licence of Starbucks (HK) Limited (SHK)
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The CA approved the application by SHK for renewal of its non-domestic TV licence for 12 years, from January 4, 2024, to January 3, 2036 (both dates inclusive). Currently, there are nine non-domestic TV licensees providing around 140 satellite television programme channels for the Asia Pacific region.
Broadcast complaint
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The CA considered a complaint case about the television programme "What a Wonderful World" broadcast on February 21, 2023, on the HOY TV Channel of Fantastic Television Limited (Fantastic TV). The CA decided that Fantastic TV should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provision of the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards. Details of the case are at Appendix.
Attention duty announcers of radio and television stations:
Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
The Department of Health (DH) today (July 17) announced that, as the Hong Kong Observatory issued the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 to replace the No. 8 Southeast Gale or Storm Signal, evening services of Government Dental Clinics will be open for the normal operating hours. Methadone Clinics will also continue to be open for the normal operating hours.