Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A Tsuen Wan site in the 2025-26 Land Sale List will be disposed of by public tender from September 26, the Lands Department announced today.

Tsuen Wan Town Lot No. 441 at the junction of Wing Shun Street and Texaco Road, is designated for non-industrial purposes, excluding godown, hotel and petrol filling station.

It has a site area of about 6,515 sq m with a minimum gross floor area of 24,757 sq m and a maximum gross floor area of 40,393 sq m, excluding the gross floor area of Government Accommodation, being a centre for home care services for frail elderly persons, a residential special child care centre and a lay-by, all to be constructed by the purchaser under the Conditions of Sale.

The land sale documents will be available on the department’s website from September 26.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and in the World Anti-Fascist War, the Civil Service College (CSC) is organising two thematic seminars in September and October. The first seminar on the topic of “From an Isolated Island to a Living Hell – Hong Kong was one of the Battlefields in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression” was delivered today (September 19) by the Executive Director of the Academy of Chinese Studies, Dr Yau Yat.

     Addressing the seminar, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, emphasised that throughout the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression that lasted for 14 years, starting from the September 18 Incident in 1931 until the final victory in 1945, China had never surrendered. During this prolonged period of war, the Chinese people demonstrated an indomitable spirit and a strong national will, uniting as one to courageously resist the enemy. Throughout the duration of the Pacific War, Chinese battlefield pinned down and depleted the main forces of the Japanese army, dispersing their troops and disrupting their supply lines, thereby playing a crucial role in Japan’s ultimate defeat. Precisely because this chapter of history holds profound significance, civil servants should establish a correct view of history and remember the great journey and precious spirit of the War of Resistance while commemorating its martyrs.

     Furthermore, in reviewing Hong Kong’s participation in different stages during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, from serving as a crucial base supporting the Mainland in the early phase, to fighting during the 18-day battle, and finally through the three years and eight months of Japanese occupation, Hong Kong played a unique role and made significant contributions to the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

     Mrs Yeung said she hopes that colleagues will remember history and learn from it, cherish the hard-won peace, and inherit the indomitable and united spirit of the predecessors during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. She urged colleagues to uphold their beliefs and forge ahead in their respective posts, leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths to contribute to the country’s needs. 

     There are two seminars in this series. Today’s seminar explored how Hong Kong fought alongside the country in different stages of the war. The second seminar, “From Inevitable Defeat to Protracted War: the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation”, to be held on October 9, will examine China’s different considerations during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and analyse the reasons for and significance of China’s ultimate victory.

     Around 360 middle and senior-level civil servants from 53 bureaux and departments attended the seminar in person or online today.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (September 19) that a site, Tsuen Wan Town Lot No. 441 at the junction of Wing Shun Street and Texaco Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, in the 2025-26 Land Sale List, will be disposed of by public tender. The tender invitation for the lot will commence on September 26 and close on November 14.
  
     Tsuen Wan Town Lot No. 441 has a site area of about 6 515 square metres and is designated for non-industrial (excluding godown, hotel and petrol filling station) purposes. The minimum gross floor area and the maximum gross floor area are 24 757 square metres and 40 393 square metres respectively. Both exclude the gross floor area of Government Accommodation, being a centre for home care services for frail elderly persons, a residential special child care centre and a lay-by, all to be constructed by the purchaser under the Conditions of Sale.
 
     Land sale documents including the Form of Tender, the Tender Notice, the Conditions of Sale and the sale plan of the lot will be available for downloading from the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk) from September 26, while the sale plan will be available for inspection by the public from the same day until the close of the tender. The sale plan in hard copy form may also be purchased at the Survey and Mapping Office of the LandsD, 6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, from September 26 until the close of the tender. The particulars of the tender will be gazetted on September 26.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 19) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Minburn County No. 27 of Alberta Province in Canada, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Canada in the first six months of this year.

“The CFS has contacted the Canadian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (September 19) statistics of payment cards issued in Hong Kong for the second quarter of 2025.
 
The payment card statistics (see Annex) include quarterly data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (Note 1). The HKMA began to publish the payment card statistics on a quarterly basis in June 2010 to enhance transparency of the payment card industry in Hong Kong, in line with international practice.
 
According to the quarterly statistics, the total number of credit cards in circulation (Note 2) was 22.8 million by the end of Q2/2025. The figure represents a 4.2 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 14.6 per cent increase from the previous year. The number and value of credit card transactions (including retail sales and cash advances) (Note 3) are susceptible to seasonal factors and the general economic environment, making the trends more prone to fluctuation. The total number of credit card transactions was 360.11 million for Q2/2025, representing a 8.3 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 11.8 per cent increase from the same period in 2024. The total value of credit card transactions was HK$268.4 billion for Q2/2025, representing a 2.1 per cent decrease from the previous quarter and a 12.2 per cent increase from the same period in 2024. Of the total transaction value, HK$168.1 billion (62.7 per cent) was related to retail spending in Hong Kong, HK$91.2 billion (34.0 per cent) in retail spending overseas and HK$9.0 billion (3.4 per cent) in cash advances.
 
The total number of debit cards in circulation is not available due to overlapping of debit card brands in a single card. Like the number and value of credit card transactions, the number and value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments (Note 4) are also affected by seasonal factors. On a quarterly basis, the total number of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales and bills payments increased by 6.2 per cent to 57.86 million while the total value decreased by 9.9 per cent to HK$66.5 billion in Q2/2025. When compared to the same period in 2024, the total number increased by 11.8 per cent and the total value dropped by 0.5 per cent in Q2/2025.

Note 1: The payment card statistics are compiled from data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong by both authorized institutions (AIs) and non-authorized institutions (non-AIs) under the credit and/or debit card schemes of the eight payment card scheme operators (the card operators). The card operators, in alphabetical order, are American Express International, Inc., Discover Financial Services (Hong Kong) Limited, EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited (EPSCO), JCB International (Asia) Ltd, Joint Electronic Teller Services Ltd. (JETCO), MasterCard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd., UnionPay International Co. Ltd and Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited. 

Note 2: A credit card issued in Hong Kong only carries one credit card brand. The total number of credit cards in circulation refers to the total number of credit cards (i.e. cards with a credit function) issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (but excluding EPSCO and JETCO, which do not operate a credit card scheme). Some of these credit cards carry debit card functions, i.e. the credit card can be used for making purchases/payments or cash withdrawal at ATMs through directly debiting cardholders’ bank accounts. 

Note 3: The total number/value of credit card transactions refer to the total number/value of transactions made via credit card accounts of credit cards issued in Hong Kong under the credit card schemes of card operators (excluding EPSCO and JETCO). Starting from March 2015, a Hong Kong/overseas spending breakdown of credit card retail sales transactions is provided. 

Note 4: The total number/value of debit card transactions in relation to retail sales/bill payments refers to the total number/value of those transactions made via debiting cardholders’ bank accounts. Some of the eight card operators do not operate a debit card scheme. Care should be exercised in combining the credit card retail sales figures and the debit card retail sales/bills payment figures because of the possibility of double counting. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (September 19) the preliminary figures of chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by economic activity for the second quarter of 2025.
 
     GDP figures by economic activity show the value of production in respect of individual economic activities. The value of production is measured by value added or net output, which is calculated by deducting intermediate input consumed in the process of production from the gross value of output. Volume measures of GDP by economic activity, expressed in terms of chain volume measures net of the effect of price changes, enable analysis of the output growth profiles of individual economic sectors in real terms.
 
     According to the preliminary figures, overall GDP increased by 3.1% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 3.0% in the first quarter.
 
     Analysed by constituent services sector and on a year-on-year comparison, value added in respect of all the services activities taken together increased by 3.4% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 2.5% in the first quarter.
 
     Value added in the import and export, wholesale and retail trades sector increased by 6.1% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 4.2% in the first quarter.
 
     Value added in the accommodation and food services sector decreased by 1.8% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 from a year earlier, virtually the same as that in the first quarter.
 
     Value added in the transportation, storage, postal and courier services sector increased by 5.6% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 2.6% in the first quarter.
 
     Value added in the information and communications sector increased by 1.1% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, virtually the same as that in the first quarter.
 
     Value added in the financing and insurance sector increased by 5.3% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 4.2% in the first quarter.
 
     Value added in the real estate, professional and business services sector registered a decrease of 0.2% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 from a year earlier, compared with the decrease of 0.5% in the first quarter.
 
     Value added in the public administration, social and personal services sector rose by 2.2% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 1.7% the first quarter.
 
     As for sectors other than the services sectors, value added in the local manufacturing sector increased by 0.9% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 0.7% in the quarter.
 
     Value added in the electricity, gas and water supply, and waste management sector increased by 0.2% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier, as against the decrease of 1.3% in the first quarter.
 
     Value added in the construction sector decreased by 8.7% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 from a year earlier, after the decrease of 4.9% in the first quarter.
 
Further information
 
     The year-on-year percentage changes of GDP by economic activity in real terms from the second quarter of 2024 to the second quarter of 2025 are shown in Table 1. More detailed statistics are given in the report “Gross Domestic Product by Economic Activity”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1030004&scode=250). For enquiries about statistics on GDP by economic activity, please call the National Income Branch (2) of the C&SD at 3903 7005.
 
     Figures of chain volume measures of GDP by economic activity for the second quarter of 2025 are only preliminary at this stage. When more data become available, the preliminary figures will be revised accordingly and can be found at the C&SD website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode250.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (September 19) the preliminary Balance of Payments (BoP) and International Investment Position (IIP) statistics of Hong Kong for the second quarter of 2025. This release also included the preliminary External Debt (ED) statistics of Hong Kong for the same period.

I. Balance of Payments

Hong Kong recorded a BoP surplus of $105.5 billion (13.4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)) in the second quarter of 2025. Reserve assets correspondingly increased by the same amount. This was against a BoP deficit of $85.4 billion (10.7% of GDP) in the first quarter of 2025.

Current account

The current account recorded a surplus of $92.6 billion (11.8% of GDP) in the second quarter of 2025. This reflects that Hong Kong’s savings was greater than its investment, enabling Hong Kong to accumulate external financial assets (such as equity securities or debt securities) as a buffer against global financial volatilities. Compared with the current account surplus of $98.5 billion (13.0% of GDP) in the second quarter of 2024, the decrease in surplus was mainly due to the increase in goods deficit, largely offset by the increase in net inflow of primary income.

The goods deficit increased to $38.0 billion in the second quarter of 2025, compared with $14.1 billion in the same quarter of 2024. Over the same period, the services surplus increased slightly from $27.5 billion to $30.0 billion. The primary income inflow and outflow amounted to $624.6 billion and $517.6 billion respectively, thus yielding a net inflow of $107.0 billion in the second quarter of 2025, compared with a net inflow of $90.2 billion in the same quarter of 2024.

Financial account

An overall increase in financial non-reserve assets amounting to $21.1 billion (2.7% of GDP) was recorded in the second quarter of 2025, compared with an overall increase of $245.8 billion (30.7% of GDP) in the first quarter of 2025. The overall increase recorded in the second quarter of 2025 was due to the net increase in portfolio investment, largely offset by the net decreases in other investment, direct investment and financial derivatives.

In the second quarter of 2025, reserve assets increased by $105.5 billion, as against a decrease of $85.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

II. International Investment Position

At the end of the second quarter of 2025, both Hong Kong’s external financial assets and liabilities stood at a very high level, amounting to $57,244.3 billion (17.7 times of GDP) and $38,879.7 billion (12.0 times of GDP) respectively, a typical feature of a prominent international financial centre.

Hong Kong’s net external financial assets (i.e. assets minus liabilities) amounted to $18,364.7 billion (5.7 times of GDP) at the end of the second quarter of 2025, compared with $16,922.9 billion (5.3 times of GDP) at the end of the first quarter of 2025. Hong Kong’s net external financial assets to GDP ratio is one of the largest in the world, which provides the economy with a strong cushion against sudden external shocks.

III. External Debt

At the end of the second quarter of 2025, Hong Kong’s gross ED amounted to $15,463.6 billion (4.8 times of GDP). Compared with $14,948.8 billion (4.7 times of GDP) at the end of the first quarter of 2025, gross ED increased by $514.8 billion. This was attributable to the increases in ED of all sectors, in particular the banking sector, intercompany lending in direct investment and other sectors.

As one of the world’s major financial centres, Hong Kong has a significant amount of ED held against the local banking sector arising through normal banking businesses. At the end of the second quarter of 2025, 53.1% of Hong Kong’s ED was attributable to the banking sector. Other ED mainly consisted of ED of other sectors (29.1%) and debt liabilities in direct investment (intercompany lending) (16.6%).

Further information

BoP is a statistical statement that systematically summarises, for a specific time period (typically a year or a quarter), the economic transactions of an economy with the rest of the world (i.e. between residents and non-residents).

IIP is a balance sheet showing the stock of external financial assets and liabilities of an economy at a particular time point. The difference between the total value of external financial assets and liabilities is the net IIP of the economy, which provides a measure of net financial claims on non residents plus gold bullion held as monetary gold.

Gross ED, at a particular time point, is the outstanding amount of those actual current, and not contingent, liabilities that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy and that require payment of principals and/or interests by the debtors at some time points in the future.

Table 1 presents Hong Kong’s BoP. Table 2 presents the detailed current account and capital account, while Table 3 presents the detailed financial account. Table 4 shows Hong Kong’s IIP, and Table 5 shows Hong Kong’s ED.
 
Statistics on BoP, IIP and ED for the second quarter of 2025 are preliminary figures, which are subject to revision upon the availability of more data.

The latest statistical tables of BoP (including seasonally adjusted current account), IIP and ED can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode260.html). Analysis of the statistics, together with the conceptual and methodological details, are presented in the publication Balance of Payments, International Investment Position and External Debt Statistics of Hong Kong, Second Quarter 2025 published by the C&SD. Users can download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1040001&scode=260).

For enquiries about the BoP, IIP and ED statistics, please contact the Balance of Payments Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 6979 or email: bop@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Hong Kong Customs, based on a smuggling case involving endangered species detected in 2022, conducted a follow-up financial investigation and discovered that a local man connected with the case had used his personal bank accounts to conduct numerous suspicious transactions with over 700 counterparties between April 2021 and September 2023, laundering approximately $6.7 million of crime proceeds, in violation of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (OSCO). Customs earlier successfully applied for an enhanced sentence in court, and the 37-year-old local man was convicted of money laundering at the District Court yesterday (September 18) and sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment.
 
     Customs welcomed the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of money-laundering offences.
 
     Under the OSCO, a person commits an offence if he or she deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property in whole or in part directly or indirectly represents any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 years while the crime proceeds are also subject to confiscation.
 
     Members of the public may report any suspected money laundering activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Hong Kong Customs on September 9 detected the largest online sale of counterfeit goods case on record, seizing about 9 200 suspected counterfeit items, including health products, leather goods, skincare products, watches, and medicines containing suspected Part 1 poison, with an estimated market value of about $15 million.

     Customs earlier received information from members of the public and trademark owners, alleging the sale of suspected counterfeit health products through links on social media. After a comprehensive investigation, Customs officers took enforcement action on September 9 and searched three industrial units in Yuen Long, including two logistics company storages and one express logistics company operation centre. About 7 500 suspected counterfeit items were seized, and four men and three women, aged between 24 and 57, were arrested.

     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on September 12 further seized 1 700 suspected counterfeit items from the transit hub of the express logistics company.

     The investigation is ongoing. All arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation, and further arrests are not ruled out.

     The suspected counterfeit health products seized in the operation have been sent to the Government Laboratory for safety testing.

     Customs reminds consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or online shops and to avoid conducting transactions with suspicious traders. They should check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale or for any purpose of trade any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).