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     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) hosted a reception in Auckland, New Zealand, today (August 2) to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

     Addressing the reception in a virtual speech, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, shared that with the unique advantages of “one country, two systems” and the unwavering support of the Central Government, Hong Kong has grown and prospered as Asia’s leading world-class city and will actively integrate into the country’s overall development, seizing the immense opportunities under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

     “We would consolidate our competitive edge and reinforce Hong Kong’s status as an international finance, transportation, trading and legal centre, and strive to fully develop our four emerging strengths – innovation and technology, aviation and intellectual property trading, as well as enhancing our position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange,” Mr Yau said.

     On the long-standing relationship between Hong Kong and New Zealand, Mr Yau noted that New Zealand is the first foreign economy that Hong Kong entered into a free trade agreement with. The total merchandise trade between Hong Kong and New Zealand amounted to NZD2 billion in 2021, representing a growth of 10.7 per cent over 2020 despite the pandemic. Mr Yau added that Hong Kong looks forward to joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to pursue further economic advancement with its members, including New Zealand.

     The Director of the Sydney ETO, Miss Trista Lim, said in her welcoming remarks that the theme of the 25th anniversary, “A New Era – Stability • Prosperity • Opportunity”, captures Hong Kong’s exemplary achievements and the strong confidence in a promising future, underpinned by the principle of “one country, two systems”. Miss Lim looks forward to telling more good stories of Hong Kong in the years to come.

     “There will be many more exciting stories ahead of us as we continue to leverage our unique strengths, maintain an international outlook and connect ever more closely with our motherland,” Miss Lim added.

     The reception was the major event of the Sydney ETO in New Zealand to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. Over 130 guests from various sectors including political and business circles, media, academic and community groups as well as government representatives attended the reception. Among them were the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Niue, Dr Wang Xiaolong, and the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland, Mr Ruan Ping. To showcase Hong Kong’s popular culture, a singing performance was staged at the reception.

     For details on other celebration events of the Sydney ETO, please visit www.hketosydney.gov.hk/eng/25A/celebrationevents.html.

        

     â€‹The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 18 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (August 2).
 
     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.
 
     In light of the implementation of mandatory use of the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile application when entering government premises, all persons are required to use the app to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter temporary heat shelters, except for exempted persons (including persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, persons with disabilities that render use of the app difficult and persons without smartphones). All exempted persons are required to complete a prescribed form to register their personal particulars, contact phone number and the date and time of entry. The staff will verify the information provided.
 
     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 –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
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 –
Chi Shin Activity Centre
G/F, Tseung Kwan O South Ancillary Facilities Block, 5 Chi Shin Street, 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 –
Wu Shan Road Community Hall
101 Wu Shan Road, Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
    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. read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (August 2).

     The value of total retail sales in June 2022, provisionally estimated at $27.7 billion, decreased by 1.2% compared with the same month in 2021. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in May 2022 decreased by 1.6% compared with a year earlier. For the first half of 2022, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales decreased by 2.6% compared with the same period in 2021.

     Of the total retail sales value in June 2022, online sales accounted for 8.2%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.3 billion, increased by 0.5% compared with the same month in 2021. The revised estimate of online retail sales in May 2022 increased by 2.9% compared with a year earlier. For the first half of 2022, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales increased by 24.0% compared with the same period in 2021.

     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in June 2022 decreased by 4.1% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in May 2022 decreased by 4.8% compared with a year earlier. For the first half of 2022, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales decreased by 5.6% in volume compared with the same period in 2021.

     Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing June 2022 with June 2021, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 0.3%. This was followed by sales of commodities in department stores (-2.4% in value); wearing apparel (-4.0%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (-13.3%); medicines and cosmetics (-1.7%); motor vehicles and parts (-10.9%); furniture and fixtures (-1.8%); and footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-8.6%).

     On the other hand, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 4.5% in June 2022 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+2.3% in value); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+3.4%); fuels (+7.5%); Chinese drugs and herbs (+1.2%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+4.8%); and optical shops (+9.5%).

     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 16.4% in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the preceding quarter, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 15.8%.

Commentary

     A government spokesman said that retail sales performance improved in the second quarter, with the value of retail sales rebounding sharply from the first quarter and reverting to mild year-on-year growth. Yet the momentum softened in the latter part of the quarter alongside the increased number of local COVID-19 cases and sharp interest rate hikes by many major central banks, with retail sales value registering a modest year-on-year decline in June.

     Looking ahead, the spokesman pointed out that the upcoming disbursement of Phase II consumption vouchers will help support consumption demand, but retail sales performance down the road will also be dependent on how the local epidemic evolves and how the tighter financial conditions affect consumer’s spending power and sentiment. It remains vital for the community to work in unison with the Government to keep the epidemic under control.

Further information

     Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for May 2022 as well as the provisional figures for June 2022. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the first half of 2022 are also shown.

     Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for May 2022 as well as the provisional figures for June 2022. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first half of 2022 are also shown.

     Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for May 2022 as well as the provisional figures for June 2022. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first half of 2022 are also shown.

     Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.

     The classification of retail establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

     These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail establishments and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail establishments through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail establishments with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.

     The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

     Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication “Gross Domestic Product (Quarterly)” for more details.

     More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales”. Users can download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080003&scode=530). Alternatively, the historical series of retail sales statistics can be downloaded in the form of a statistical table at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600089&scode=530).

     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; email: mrs@censtatd.gov.hk). read more

     The Government announced today (August 2) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all dis… read more

     With a stronger than usual subtropical ridge persisting over southern China and bringing prolonged high-temperature weather to the region in the month, July 2022 was the hottest month in Hong Kong since records began in 1884, breaking the previous record set in July 2020. The monthly mean temperature of 30.3 degrees and the monthly mean minimum temperature of 28.4 degrees were 1.4 degrees and 1.5 degrees above their normals and both were the highest of the correspondingly monthly mean values on record. Moreover, the monthly mean maximum temperature of 33.3 degrees was 1.7 degrees above the normal and one of the highest on record. There were 10 days with daily maximum temperatures recorded equal to or higher than 35.0 degrees, the highest number in a month on record and also breaking the record for a year. With a total of 25 hot nights, July 2022 was the month with the highest number of hot nights on record. The 21 consecutive hot nights that started from July 9 also set a new record. Moreover, there were 21 very hot days in the month, the highest number of very hot days in a month on record. With fine weather prevailing for most of the time in the month, July 2022 was also much drier than usual. The total monthly rainfall was only 158.5 millimetres, about 41 per cent of the normal figure of 385.8 millimetres. The accumulated rainfall for the first seven months of the year was 1 213.0 millimetres, about 17 per cent below the normal figure of 1 468.2 millimetres. 
 
     Severe Tropical Storm Chaba over the northern part of the South China Sea moved generally north-northwestwards towards the coast of western Guangdong on July 1. It further intensified into a typhoon the next morning. Chaba made landfall near Maoming and weakened into a severe tropical storm that evening. It then moved across inland Guangdong and Guangxi and weakened gradually into a low pressure area over inland on July 3. With the approach of Chaba, local winds strengthened significantly later on July 1, necessitating the issuance of the first No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal in this year and also the first such issuance on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day. Strong to gale force winds generally affected the territory on July 2, with occasional storm force winds offshore and on high ground at first. With Chaba moving away from Hong Kong and weakening gradually inland, local winds moderated gradually later in that afternoon. The outer rainbands of Chaba also brought heavy squally showers and thunderstorms to Hong Kong on July 1 and 2. More than 100 millimetres of rainfall were generally recorded over Hong Kong on those two days and rainfall even exceeded 150 millimetres in parts of Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Kowloon City and Wan Chai Districts. Under the rain, the temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory fell to the month’s lowest of 25.4 degrees on July 1. The weather of Hong Kong remained mainly cloudy with occasional showers and squalls on July 3.
 
     Affected by the remnant of Chaba and subsequently a strong southwest monsoon, the weather of Hong Kong was cloudy with showers and thunderstorms on July 4 to 6. The showers were particularly heavy in some areas of Tai Po and North Districts with more than 70 millimetres of rainfall recorded on July 5. Under the influence of a southerly airstream, there were sunny intervals with a few showers and isolated thunderstorms on July 7.
 
     With the subtropical ridge extending westwards and dominating over southern China, apart from a few showers, there was a long spell of generally fine and very hot weather in Hong Kong starting from July 8 to July 29. With plenty of sunshine, the maximum temperature at the Observatory reached 34.9 degrees on July 23, the hottest Great Heat on record. The maximum temperature at the Observatory soared further to 36.1 degrees on July 24, the highest of the month and the highest maximum temperature for July on record. The maximum temperature recorded at Sheung Shui on that day even reached 39.0 degrees, the highest record since the station was established in 2004. Moreover, the daily mean temperature recorded at the Observatory on both July 24 and 25 was 32.0 degrees, the highest on record for July. The daily minimum temperature of 29.9 degrees on July 25 was also the highest on record for July. 
 
     Under light wind and unstable atmospheric conditions, there were thundery showers over Hong Kong on July 30. The showers were heavy at times with intense thunderstorms and incessant lightning in the morning. More than 30 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over some places and rainfall even exceeded 70 millimetres over Sai Kung. During the inclement weather in that morning, a person died after being struck by lightning while hiking in Sha Tin. Affected by an anticyclone aloft, apart from isolated showers and thunderstorms, the weather became generally fine and very hot again on the last day of the month.
 
     Four tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in July 2022.

     Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in July are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for July are tabulated in Table 2. read more