Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
External merchandise trade statistics for April 2025
In April 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 14.7% over a year earlier to $434.5 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 18.5% in March 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 15.8% over a year earlier to $450.5 billion in April 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 16.6% in March 2025. A visible trade deficit of $16.0 billion, equivalent to 3.6% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in April 2025.
For the first four months of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 11.9% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 11.4%. A visible trade deficit of $96.9 billion, equivalent to 5.7% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first four months of 2025.
Comparing the three-month period ending April 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 13.8%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 12.6%.
Analysis by country/territory
Comparing April 2025 with April 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 20.8%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+61.5%), Vietnam (+48.3%), Taiwan (+24.1%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+23.0%) and India (+22.5%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to Korea (-26.7%).
Apart from destinations in Asia, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the Netherlands (-38.4%) and the United Kingdom (-24.1%). On the other hand, an increase was recorded in the value of total exports to Germany (+30.8%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+107.3%), the United Kingdom (+59.5%), Taiwan (+50.6%) and the Mainland (+14.8%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-21.3%).
For the first four months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+63.7%), Taiwan (+36.3%) and the Mainland (+18.1%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-28.6%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+78.9%), the United Kingdom (+57.9%), Taiwan (+53.1%), Malaysia (+35.8%) and the Mainland (+6.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-23.0%).
Analysis by major commodity
Comparing April 2025 with April 2024, 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 $33.5 billion or +18.7%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $19.5 billion or +46.0%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $29.9 billion or +16.8%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $19.5 billion or +67.1%).
For the first four months 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 $106.2 billion or +72.1%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $76.4 billion or +11.2%).
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 $94.2 billion or +84.7%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $82.4 billion or +12.3%).
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports grew visibly by 14.7% in April over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland and many other Asian markets grew visibly. Exports to the United States rose marginally, while exports to the European Union fell.
Looking ahead, as international trade tensions have eased somewhat of late, the headwinds and uncertainties in the external environment have lessened to some extent. The sustained 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 will continue to closely monitor changes in the external environment and stay vigilant to the potential impacts brought about by shifts in trade policies.
Further information
Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for April 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to April 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 April 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 April 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 April 2025 will be released in mid-June 2025.
The April 2025 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in April 2025 and will be available in early June 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
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One-off extra allowance ready
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
A one-off extra allowance, equal to one half of the monthly payment or allowance, will be provided to eligible recipients of social security payments, including recipients of the standard rate of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance and Disability Allowance, the Government announced today.
Similar arrangements will apply to households receiving the Working Family Allowance (WFA).
Starting today, the payment will be credited to the designated Hong Kong bank accounts of the eligible recipients/households. No separate application is required.
Recipients who were eligible for social security payments on April 30, 2025, as well as the households for which WFA applications were made within the period from October 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, and approved, would be eligible for the extra allowance.
It is estimated that about 1.71 million social security recipients and about 56,000 WFA households would benefit, involving a total of about $3,084 million in extra expenditure.
For enquiries, recipients of social security payments may call 2343 2255 or contact the respective Social Security Field Unit.
For enquiries from households in receipt of the WFA, call 2558 3000.
Speech by Secretary for Health at Plenary Session: Shaping a More Equitable and Sustainable Health System of Asia Summit on Global Health (English only) (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at the Plenary Session: Shaping a More Equitable and Sustainable Health System of the Asia Summit on Global Health today (May 26):
Distinguished guests, healthcare leaders, ladies and gentlemen,
MOEA Minister Kuo Visits Texas to Promote Supply Chain Cooperation
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
On May 15, Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo attended the grand opening ceremony of GlobalWafers’ new plant in Sherman, Texas. Then he traveled to Houston to visit Foxconn’s server plant and hosted business roundtables with Houston-based Taiwanese business leaders.
Minister Kuo wanted to gain a better understanding of Taiwan’s outbound investment in Texas, explore areas where the Ministry’s support may be needed, and listen to the business leaders’ viewpoints on enhancing U.S.-Taiwan economic and trade relations.
On the following day, Minister Kuo went to Austin, Texas where he met with Governor Greg Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows. State Representative Angie Chen Button had also invited Mr. Kuo to attend a session of the Texas House of Representatives, where Speaker Burrows formally recognized his contributions to strengthening economic and trade ties between Taiwan and Texas.
Last July, Minister Kuo signed the Taiwan-Texas Economic Development Statement of Intent (EDSI) with Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration in fields such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, energy resilience, and innovative technologies. Minister Kuo paid a return visit to Governor Abbott focused on implementing this EDSI and further promoting investment and economic partnership between both sides.
During the meeting, Governor Abbott highlighted Texas’s business-friendly environment, including low tax rates, reasonable investment regulations, a high-quality workforce, and comprehensive vocational training programs.
On the other hand, the Taiwan Minister provided updates on Taiwan’s outbound investment in Texas and MOEA plans to set up an investment and trade center in Texas later this year. They also exchanged views on how to develop a more resilient Taiwan–Texas supply chain partnership through establishing a science and industry park and strengthening cooperation in semiconductors and AI areas.
In 2024, Taiwan was Texas’s fourth-largest import source, with a total trade volume of $25.58 billion—a 19.91% year-over-year growth.
MOEA Develops World-Leading B5G NTN Base Station System, Partners with MediaTek and Chunghwa Telecom to Enable Seamless Satellite Communication Upgrades for Network Equipment
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
At COMPUTEX 2025, the MOEA unveiled its Tech Hub to showcase 30 innovative technologies, highlighting the world-leading B5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) base station system and bringing together leading network communication companies and major R&D institutes including ITRI, MIRDC, TTRI, and ARTC. In partnership with MediaTek and Chunghwa Telecom, the MOEA successfully completed multi-orbit satellite communication trials. This breakthrough enables direct satellite connectivity via software upgrades, eliminating the need for hardware replacement-a game-changer for remote and offshore connectivity. The solution received global attention at this year’s MWC Barcelona.
According to the MOEA, Taiwan plays a critical role in the global ICT and AI ecosystem. To stay ahead in next-generation communications and AI-driven manufacturing, the ministry has launched 50 AI pilot production lines, which are already being applied in sectors such as energy storage and smart manufacturing. One notable example is the POXA Energy Management System, which uses AI for intelligent scheduling to optimize green energy storage. The system is slated to spin off into a startup by 2025 to expand its reach.
The Tech Hub showcases innovations across five key areas: AI services, immersive technologies, AI for manufacturing, sustainable green energy, and next-generation communication. Highlighted solutions include an AI-powered medical logistics robot at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital; a smart knee brace with electrostimulation to accelerate rehabilitation for the elderly; photo-realistic AI 3D modeling technology that creates high-fidelity models using only a smartphone; and a transparent display open architecture system designed for smart libraries and hybrid digital-physical environments.
Taiwan’s MOEA Announces: DOIT to Showcase Three NT$100 Million Startups at InnoVEX 2025
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The Department of Industrial Technology under Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) led 20 research-driven startup teams to InnoVEX, one of Asia’s leading innovation and startup exhibitions. At the event, they unveiled the Taiwan Research-Institute Entrepreneur Ecosystem (TREE) Pavilion, showcasing advanced innovations in AI, ICT, semiconductors, smart mobility, biotech, healthcare tech, green tech, and the circular economy.
Three startups have achieved the NT$100 million revenue benchmark:
-FREE Bionics: Has tripled its revenue in the past four years and secured over NT$600 million in funding.
-KopherBit: On track to exceed NT$100 million in revenue by 2025.
-GasolineAI: Secured an order worth NT$100 million in its first year.
Additionally, the 2025 TREE Award Ceremony took place on May 22, celebrating five promising startup teams from research institutions. Experts selected them for their achievements in translating research innovations into market successes.
Christopher Hui departs for Canada
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui will depart for Canada today to visit Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver.
During his visit, Mr Hui will attend the premier Web Summit Vancouver, a key event, where he will share the latest fintech developments and opportunities in Hong Kong with thousands of tech entrepreneurs, investors and leaders.
He will also join several business networking events organised by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (Toronto) and Invest Hong Kong (Canada) to introduce Hong Kong’s advantages in areas such as the financial market, wealth management and fintech, along with the policy support and concessions offered to boost relevant developments and applications.
In addition to conferring with government financial officials of Canada, Mr Hui plans to meet representatives from trade associations and think tanks. He will also visit a number of banks and insurance companies.
Mr Hui is scheduled to return to Hong Kong on May 31. During his absence, Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Joseph Chan will be Acting Secretary.
Recipients of social security payments or Working Family Allowance to receive one-off extra allowance
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Government today (May 26) announced that, as set out in the 2025-26 Budget, a one-off extra allowance equal to one half of the monthly payment or allowance will be provided to eligible recipients of social security payments, including recipients of the standard rate of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance and Disability Allowance. Similar arrangements will apply to households receiving the Working Family Allowance (WFA). The above recipients will receive the extra allowance starting from today (details in the Annex).
A Government spokesman said that recipients who were eligible for social security payments on April 30, 2025 (i.e. the date on which the Legislative Council approved the Appropriation Bill 2025), and the households for which WFA applications were made within the period from October 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, and approved would be eligible for the one-off extra allowance. It is estimated that about 1.71 million social security recipients and about 56 000 WFA households would benefit, involving a total of about $3,084 million in extra expenditure. The payment will be credited to the designated Hong Kong bank accounts of the eligible recipients/households and no separate application is required.
For enquiries, recipients of social security payments may call the hotline of the Social Welfare Department (2343 2255) or contact the respective Social Security Field Unit. As for enquiries from households in receipt of the WFA, please call the hotline of the Working Family Allowance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (2558 3000).
Speech by CE at Asia Summit on Global Health (English only) (with photos/video)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Asia Summit on Global Health today (May 26):
Honourable Vice-minister Cao Xuetao (Vice-minister of the National Health Commission), Deputy Director Yin Zonghua (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR), Dr Peter Lam (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. I am delighted to join you all for this year’s Asia Summit on Global Health. Delighted to welcome our friends from around the world to Hong Kong.
Global health starts with unity. This spirit of collaboration is as important today as it was in 2021, when this Summit was first launched. It was launched under the cloud of the global pandemic. We don’t need any reminding of the dark days of the COVID-19 outbreak. But it is worth recalling that those difficult times also sparked a remarkable period of healthcare innovation and co-operation. These positive trends continue, here today, at this Summit.
I thank all who are attending the Summit – over 2 800 experts from some 40 countries and regions. You are medical professionals, policymakers, academics, heads of pharmaceutical and health tech enterprises, and experts in many other fields.
You are here to explore innovative solutions to chronic diseases, healthcare inequities and the challenges of an ageing population. To share knowledge and explore the promising opportunities in medicine, and medical technology, across Asia and beyond.
These topics, and more, will be under the microscope, during the next two days of high-level panel discussions, networking and deal-making sessions. From a global perspective, the Director-General of the World Health Organization will share with us his views by video in a few minutes.
Under the theme of “Fostering Global Collaboration for a Shared Future”, this Summit reaffirms Hong Kong’s pivotal role as a leading health innovation hub in the region.
Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys unique connectivity with both Mainland China and the world. As the world’s freest economy and one of the top three international financial centres, we offer an efficient, open and fair business environment with robust intellectual property protection. We maintain free flows of information, capital, goods and talent. We are also emerging as a leading hub for scientific innovation, technological advancement and world-class education.
Hong Kong is the only city in Asia with as many as five universities ranked in the top 100 globally. We are home to two of the world’s top 40 medical schools, and eight State Key Laboratories in life and health disciplines. This, and more, provides fertile ground for world-class scientific research and medical technology innovation.
Under “one country, two systems”, we also enjoy strong support of national strategies, coupled with ever-closer connectivity with our country, China.
The connectivity is fully evident at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. Straddling our boundary with the neighbouring city of Shenzhen, the Co-operation Zone comprises the Hong Kong Park and the Shenzhen Park. It pools together the technological strengths of our two cities.
Our respective, and collective, strengths are recognised internationally, I’m pleased to add. In its annual Global Innovation Index, the World Intellectual Property Organization has ranked the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster second, globally, for five consecutive years.
It helps that we are core cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or the GBA, a cluster city development that brings together 11 cities in southern China. It has a population of some 87 million, and a GDP that closely rivals the world’s 10th-largest economy.
Riding on this synergy with other GBA cities, the Hong Kong Park of the Co-operation Zone is in good shape for its operational phase later this year. We will provide over US$250 million to support the InnoHK research clusters to set up there, and another US$25 million to assist start-ups engaging in life and health technology.
The InnoHK clusters, let me add, now count 29 research centres and laboratories focusing on health tech, artificial intelligence and robotics, each formed by partnering a Hong Kong institution with a Mainland or international institution.
In other news from the Co-operation Zone, the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute is now up and running in the Hong Kong Park.
And, just last week, the Institute started a collaboration initiative on clinical trial with our two medical schools. In more than 70 clinical trial projects expected to be launched in the coming year, the Institute will help to co-ordinate in cross-boundary clinical trials, connection with GBA institutions, and more. Well, that’s what I call a healthy outcome!
Another key healthcare collaboration is on the registration for drugs and medical devices. Under a special measure of the National Medical Products Administration, several healthcare institutions in Mainland cities of the GBA may now use drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong, but not yet registered on the Mainland. This accelerated pathway allows for the access of innovative medicines and devices into the Mainland market.
We are now working with Shenzhen to establish a Real-World Study and Application Centre, by year’s end, to promote co-operation on the sharing of health and medical data. It would speed up the approval and registration of new drugs in both places.
Hong Kong is committed to establishing its own internationally recognised authority for the registration of drugs and medical devices. We have implemented the “1+” mechanism for the registration of new drugs, vaccines and advanced therapy products. The mechanism allows for a drug to be registered in Hong Kong, once it has been registered with a reference drug regulatory authority, and supported by local clinical data.
These and other efforts will drive the development of Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. More importantly, they will expedite patients’ access to advanced diagnostic and treatment services.
To boost Hong Kong’s research prowess, we have launched a subsidy to support local universities in setting up health technology research institutes. With an allocation of some US$770 million, the programme will foster academic collaboration in life and health sciences research.
Beyond funding research, let me add, we are also investing into developing our research talent. As a result, publicly funded PhD places increased by about one-third to 7 200 over the past two academic years. Places under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme also saw a one-third rise.
We endeavour to ensure the timely, and efficient, commercial returns from Hong Kong’s excellent research outcomes, including healthcare innovations. For this, we have set aside over US$1.2 billion for the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme, and another US$1.2 billion for the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme. These Schemes support enterprises to adopt new innovations, and set up smart productions facilities, respectively.
Ladies and gentlemen, in fighting a virus, isolation is vital – quarantining the infected to protect the healthy. But in tackling healthcare, trade, and other societal issues, isolation is not the answer. While walls may stem the spread of a disease, they stifle free and open exchange, which is the lifeblood of prosperity.
With unilateralism and protectionism sweeping the world like a contagion, we should remember a fundamental truth: Trade thrives on openness. Much as how a human body can only stay healthy when its interconnected systems work in harmony, our global economy can only prosper with an ecosystem of trust, collaboration and multilateralism. For in trade, as in health, resilience lies not in isolation, but in collaboration. And Hong Kong is here to build meaningful partnerships and innovative co-operations, with all of you.
My thanks to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for jointly organising this Summit with the HKSAR Government. I encourage all of you to visit the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair, another key event of this International Healthcare Week, over the next three days.
As the saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine”. Therefore, while this Summit focuses on the serious topic of global health, I would like to see all of you rejoice here and participate in a happy mood. Find time, also, to relax and enjoy the colourful cultural experiences here in our world city.
I wish you all a very successful Summit, a delightful stay in Hong Kong and, of course, the best of health!
Thank you.
Firing practice for June 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (June).
Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.
Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in June 2025:
San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
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| Date | Time |
| June 2 (Monday) June 3 (Tuesday) June 4 (Wednesday) June 5 (Thursday) June 6 (Friday) June 9 (Monday) June 10 (Tuesday) June 11 (Wednesday) June 12 (Thursday) June 13 (Friday) June 16 (Monday) June 17 (Tuesday) June 18 (Wednesday) June 19 (Thursday) June 20 (Friday) June 23 (Monday) June 24 (Tuesday) June 25 (Wednesday) June 26 (Thursday) June 27 (Friday) June 30 (Monday) |
8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm |
Tsing Shan Firing Range
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| Date | Time |
| June 2 (Monday) June 3 (Tuesday) June 4 (Wednesday) June 5 (Thursday) June 6 (Friday) June 9 (Monday) June 10 (Tuesday) June 11 (Wednesday) June 12 (Thursday) June 13 (Friday) June 16 (Monday) June 17 (Tuesday) June 18 (Wednesday) June 19 (Thursday) June 20 (Friday) June 23 (Monday) June 24 (Tuesday) June 25 (Wednesday) June 26 (Thursday) June 27 (Friday) June 30 (Monday) |
8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm |