Month: April 2025

Office of Licensing Authority of Home Affairs Department steps up enforcement actions against unlicensed guesthouses during Easter holidays and before Labour Day holidays (with photo) 
A spokesman for the OLA said, “Based on intelligence gathered, the OLA carried out surprise inspections on 12 premises. Ten premises were suspected of operating unlicensed hotels or guesthouses. The OLA will initiate prosecution on cases with sufficient evidence after completion of the investigation.”
 
The spokesman stressed, “Operating unlicensed hotels or guesthouses is a criminal offence, and such an offence leads to a criminal record upon conviction. According to the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, an offender is liable to three years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500,000. A fine of $20,000 for each day can also be imposed during which the offence continues. A six-month closure order may also be issued for a hotel or guesthouse involved in a repeated offence.”
 
Apart from conducting special operations during festive seasons, the OLA also steps up efforts to combat unlicensed guesthouses via online platforms. The OLA has strengthened its intelligence collection by forming a dedicated team to browse webpages, mobile applications, social media, discussion forums, etc, to search for information and intelligence on suspected unlicensed guesthouses. The OLA’s law enforcement officers will initiate follow-up investigations when information of unlicensed guesthouses advertised via online platforms is found. The OLA also conducts publicity work on Internet search engines outside Hong Kong to enable tourists’ access to the information provided by the OLA in the course of planning their trips to Hong Kong.
 
Tourists and members of the public can make use of the search functions on the OLA’s website to check whether the hotel or guesthouse concerned is licensed or not. Any suspected unlicensed hotel or guesthouse should be reported to the OLA by the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hkIssued at HKT 17:00

Communications Authority grants consent to CMHK to cease its 3G services 
     Having considered various relevant factors, the CA approved the application pursuant to Special Condition 10.4 of CMHK’s Unified Carrier Licence. These include the very low proportion of customers affected (including customers of 3G pre-paid services and those who are still using 3G handsets/devices for connection to CMHK’s network), and CMHK’s provision of support services for the affected customers such as offers to upgrade service plans or to replace handsets/devices. For customers who choose not to continue the service or not to replace their handsets/devices, CMHK has made reasonable service termination arrangements and provided them with sufficient advance notification and customer service support. Moreover, the CA has required CMHK to maintain satisfactory 3G services until the scheduled service cessation date.
 
     Affected customers may refer to the relevant press releaseIssued at HKT 16:30

External merchandise trade statistics for March 2025 
     In March 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 18.5% over a year earlier to $455.5 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 15.4% in February 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 16.6% over a year earlier to $500.9 billion in March 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 11.8% in February 2025. A visible trade deficit of $45.4 billion, equivalent to 9.1% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in March 2025.
 
     For the first quarter of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 10.9% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 9.8%. A visible trade deficit of $80.7 billion, equivalent to 6.4% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first quarter of 2025.
 
     Comparing the first quarter of 2025 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 12.7%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 9.9%.
 
Analysis by country/territory
 
     Comparing March 2025 with March 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 22.4%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Taiwan (+61.3%), Malaysia (+57.3%), Vietnam (+41.3%), the Philippines (+34.5%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+25.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to Korea (-22.8%).
 
     Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the United Kingdom (+48.5%) and the USA (+11.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the Netherlands (-29.0%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+95.1%), Taiwan (+75.8%), the United Kingdom (+55.6%), Malaysia (+46.9%) and the Mainland (+7.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-21.0%).
 
     For the first quarter of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+69.1%), Taiwan (+40.6%) and the Mainland (+16.2%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-36.9%) and India (-20.2%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+68.9%), the United Kingdom (+57.4%), Taiwan (+53.9%), Malaysia (+47.6%) and the Mainland (+4.1%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-23.6%).
 
Analysis by major commodity
 
     Comparing March 2025 with March 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $51.2 billion or +133.5%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $20.8 billion or +11.1%). 
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $44.4 billion or +130.8%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $22.2 billion or +11.5%).
 
     For the first quarter of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $86.7 billion or +82.6%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $43.3 billion or +8.6%).  On the other hand, a decrease was registered in the value of total exports of “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $12.1 billion or -9.0%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $74.8 billion or +91.1%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $52.4 billion or +10.6%). On the other hand, a decrease was registered in the value of imports of “non-metallic mineral manufactures” (by $10.0 billion or -24.0%).
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports grew sharply by 18.5% in March over a year earlier.  Exports to the Mainland grew strongly, while those to other major Asian economies showed mixed performance. Exports to the United States increased visibly, and those to the European Union registered a marginal increase.
 
     Looking ahead, global trade tensions have escalated abruptly due to the significant increases in tariffs by the United States in early April. This will pose challenges to Hong Kong’s merchandise trade performance. Nevertheless, the steady growth in the Mainland economy, together with Hong Kong’s proactive efforts in enhancing economic and trade ties with different markets, should help buttress trade performance. The Government has been providing support to enterprises through various measures in coping with the external challenges, and will monitor the situation closely.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for March 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to March 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
 
     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for March 2025 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 March 2025.
 
     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 March 2025 will be released in mid-May 2025.
 
     The March 2025 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in March 2025 and will be available in early May 2025. 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).
Issued at HKT 16:30

Response to issues related to High Island Reservoir East Dam The relevant departments will continue to properly deploy and enhance the supporting facilities and measures in the area around the East Dam, making it more convenient for visitors.
Issued at HKT 16:00

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Hong Kong Excellent Family Awards opens for enrolment 
The first Hong Kong Excellent Family Awards focuses on fostering stable family relationships for building good family values and virtues and promotes good family values to the public. The awards recognise families that cultivate a positive and supportive family relationship built on love and respect as well as care and support, and pass on good family traditions and virtues to younger generations. There are 15 awards in this event, including 10 Excellent Families Awards and five Passage of Good Family Values and Virtues Awards. The winning families will receive trophies, admission tickets and a hotel stay at a theme park, family photography services and gift coupons.
 
Participating families are required to submit a written narrative in either Chinese or English, sharing their family’s real-life experiences and stories together with not more than five family photos, on or before June 27. The narrative should demonstrate strong family bonds, the family’s ability to cope with various challenges in life together, and passing on of good family traditions and virtues to the younger generation. Participants can submit the entries online or download the entry form from the thematic webpage, and submit the completed form along with the narrative and photo(s) in person or by post to the HYAB Family Council Secretariat (13/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong). Shortlisted families will be invited to attend a meeting in early August.

Details of the awards are available on the thematic webpage (www.familycouncil.gov.hk/en/promotion/hkefa.htmlIssued at HKT 15:00

Applications invited for Equal Opportunities (Sexual Orientation) Funding Scheme 
     “The Government is committed to fostering the culture and values of inclusiveness, mutual respect and non-discrimination, and promoting equal opportunities for people of different sexual orientations and transgenders. The funding scheme provides funding support to worthwhile community projects which aim at promoting equal opportunities on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, or seek to provide support services for the sexual minorities,” a spokesman for the CMAB said.
 
     Information on making applications is available on the CMAB website (www.cmab.gov.hk/en/issues/equalsdofs_sex.htm 
     An online briefing session will be held on May 9, 2025, to brief interested parties on the scope and operation of the Funding Scheme.
 
     For enquiries, please contact the Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Unit of the CMAB at 2810 3205.
Issued at HKT 15:00

Applications for funding from Elder Academy Development Foundation invited 
     The Elder Academy Scheme aims to promote continuous learning for elderly people, active ageing and intergenerational harmony. The EADF mainly provides funding for primary and secondary schools as well as post-secondary institutions to set up EAs to provide learning opportunities in a school setting for the elderly. Funding is also provided for activities that encourage elderly learning and intergenerational harmony.
 
     Each approved EA in a primary or secondary school will be provided with funding of $122,000 for implementing a three-year programme. EAs which completed the first three-year programme may apply for funding of $60,000 for running a two-year programme.
 
     As regards applications for organising EA courses in post-secondary institutions and other applications, the Committee on EADF will assess and decide the funding amount according to the merits of individual proposals.
 
     Details of the funding applications can be downloaded from the website of the EA Scheme (www.elderacademy.org.hkIssued at HKT 15:00