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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for October 2025 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 15) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
 
     In October 2025, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 14.6% and 15.7% respectively over October 2024.
 
     Comparing the first ten months of 2025 with the same period in 2024, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 11.6% and 11.3% respectively.
 
     Comparing the three-month period ending October 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods and imports of goods decreased by 2.1% and 2.3% 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 October 2025 with October 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 2.4% and 2.3% respectively.
 
     As regards price changes in the first ten months of 2025 over the same period in 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods both increased by 2.0%.
 
     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 2024, the index increased by 0.2% in October 2025, whereas it remained virtually unchanged in the first ten months of 2025.
 
     Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
 
     Comparing October 2025 with October 2024, increases were recorded for the total export volume to all main destinations: Vietnam (52.6%), Taiwan (43.0%), the USA (39.1%), India (21.8%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (7.3%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: Taiwan (4.7%), India (3.7%), the Mainland (2.5%), Vietnam (1.3%) and the USA (0.8%).
 
     Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
 
     Comparing October 2025 with October 2024, increases were recorded for the import volume from all main suppliers: Vietnam (175.6%), the Mainland (18.2%), Singapore (13.9%), Japan (3.4%) and Taiwan (1.8%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Singapore (6.2%), Taiwan (5.6%), Vietnam (2.3%), Japan (1.3%) and the Mainland (0.4%).
 
Further information
 
     Details of the above statistics are published in the October 2025 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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hongkong Post today (December 15) reminded members of the public that the latest Christmas mail posting date for local delivery before Christmas Day is December 22 (Monday). Mail posted after this date might run the risk of not being delivered in time because of the anticipated seasonal work pressure. Members of the public are advised to post mail as early as possible to avoid a last-minute rush.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The National Security Department (NSD) of the Hong Kong Police Force arrested a 26-year-old woman on December 12 night for being suspected of committing the offence of “unlawful drilling” under Section 13 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, in connection with the enforcement operation conducted on December 11.

     Regarding the nine persons arrested earlier, NSD has laid charge against two of the men, aged 24 and 25, jointly with one count of “conspiracy to commit subversion”. The case will be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (December 15) morning.

     The arrested woman and other arrestees were released on bail and are required to report back to the Police in mid-January 2026.

     Investigation revealed that a syndicate has been conducting unlawful drilling inside a unit of an industrial building in Kowloon. The training content includes firearms drills, knife techniques and combat techniques. Police conducted searches at the unit suspected of being used for unlawful drilling and seized offensive weapons associated with the unlawful drilling.

     Police remind members of the public that “conspiracy to commit subversion” is a serious offence. Offenders shall be liable to imprisonment for more than 10 years on first conviction. Members of the public are urged not to defy the law.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV and radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 15) that due to the sighting of a suspected red tide, the red flag has been hoisted at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach until further notice.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

　　The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) conclude today (December 15). The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, commended Hong Kong, China athletes for their outstanding performance in the Games, showcasing remarkable determination and excellent sportsmanship, and extended his congratulations on their achievements.
 
     Mr Lee said, “The Hong Kong, China Delegation participating in the 12th NGD and 9th NSOG was the largest ever. The athletes fully demonstrated personal perseverance and team spirit, achieving historic and encouraging results with a total of 140 medals, including 51 gold, 49 silver, and 40 bronze medals in taekwondo, athletics, table tennis, swimming, boccia, wheelchair fencing, badminton, NSOG athletics, NSOG bocce, NSOG swimming, NSOG basketball, NSOG football, NSOG table tennis and NSOG badminton, and a mass participation event of para dance sport. They strove hard, overcame obstacles, and surpassed their personal bests, showcasing Hong Kong’s indefatigable and indomitable spirit.
 
     “The 12th NGD and 9th NSOG are the country’s highest-level multisport event for persons with disabilities. Noting that this year’s Games were jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time with Hong Kong hosting four competition events and one mass participation event, I express my gratitude to the Central Government for its trust, and to the China Disabled Persons’ Federation and the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) for their support. Building on the valuable experience of the 15th National Games, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao continue to leverage their synergies through resource sharing and complementary strengths to work in concert to deliver the 12th NGD and 9th NSOG under the principle of equality, integration and sharing.
 
     “I would like to thank all sectors of society for their support for the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, especially the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee, as well as the coaching teams, medical personnel, and support teams from relevant National Sports Associations and sports organisations. Their efforts and contributions have assisted Hong Kong athletes in showcasing their talents and enabled the smooth running of events in the Hong Kong competition region, promoting harmony between disabled and non-disabled individuals and enhancing society’s support for disability sports.”
 
     Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is fully committed to promoting the development of disability sports, noting that the Government’s actual expenditure on sports development for persons with disabilities exceeded $140 million in the year of 2024-25, with over 80 per cent of the expenditure supporting athletes with disabilities. The Government has designated over $1 billion for the HKSI in the year of 2025-26 to support its training for elite athletes, including those for elite disability sports. The Government will encourage more persons with disabilities to pursue careers as athletes and showcase their talents through continuously increasing resources and enhancing the athlete training ladder, with a view to raising the public’s awareness of and support for disability sports.
 
     Mr Lee remarked that the successful conclusion of the 15th National Games, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG demonstrated the capabilities of Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in organising large-scale sports events. The Hong Kong SAR Government, the GASC, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and the Macao SAR Government have signed an agreement on strengthening of sports co-operation and promotion of integrated development to carry forward the spirit of unity under the strategic framework, with a view to deepening co-operation within the GBA and actively implementing integrated sports development in the area.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     According to the provisional results of a survey released today (December 15) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 5.4% in the third quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 0.9% in the second quarter of 2025. The corresponding producer price index increased by 7.7% in the third quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 4.0% in the second quarter of 2025.
 
     The index of industrial production for sewerage, waste management and remediation activities decreased by 1.4% in the third quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier, as against a year-on-year increase of 1.7% in the second quarter of 2025. The corresponding producer price index slightly increased by 0.3% in the third quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 1.6% in the second quarter of 2025.
 
     Indices of industrial production reflect changes in the volume of local industrial output after discounting the effect of price changes. The price changes are measured by the producer price indices compiled from data on producer prices of selected industrial goods/services collected in the same survey.
 
     Comparing the industrial production in respect of major manufacturing industries in the third quarter of 2025 with that a year earlier, increases in output volume were recorded mainly in the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (+6.1%), the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+2.5%), and the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+1.0%). On the other hand, a decrease in output volume was recorded in the textiles and wearing apparel industry (-5.2%).
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 4.6% in the third quarter of 2025 compared with the second quarter of 2025.
 
     Producer price indices reflect changes in the prices of local output. They measure changes in the actual prices (net of any discounts or rebates allowed to buyers, plus any surcharges) received by producers for their output. Transportation and other incidental charges are not included.
 
     Comparing the third quarter of 2025 with a year earlier, increases in producer prices were recorded for all major manufacturing industries. The metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry had the largest increase in producer price (+14.6%), followed by the textiles and wearing apparel industry (+2.7%), the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+1.5%), and the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+1.0%).
 
     Table 1 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the indices of industrial production for manufacturing and waste management sectors by selected industry grouping. Table 2 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors by selected industry grouping.
 
     The revised figures on indices of industrial production and producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors for the third quarter of 2025 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_8000.html) and relevant publications of the Department starting from January 19, 2026.
 
     Users can browse and download the reports “Quarterly Index of Industrial Production for Manufacturing and Waste Management Sectors, 3rd Quarter 2025” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070002&scode=310) and “Quarterly Producer Price Index for Manufacturing and Waste Management Sectors, 3rd Quarter 2025” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070003&scode=280) at the website of the C&SD.
 
     For enquiries about indices of industrial production and producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors, please contact the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7247; email: ind-production@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The hospital dental service (HDS) currently provided by the Department of Health (DH) will be integrated with the oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) Service under the Hospital Authority (HA) from February 6, 2026, the DH and the HA announced today.

The HDS will be taken up by the HA.

The seven oral maxillofacial surgery and dental clinics under the DH’s HDS are all located within seven HA public hospitals, primarily providing specialist oral maxillofacial surgery and dental treatment for hospital in-patients, patients with special oral healthcare needs, and dental emergencies.

The seven HA public hospitals are Queen Mary Hospital, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Tuen Mun Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and North District Hospital.

These clinics will continue to operate at the original sites and integrate with the existing OMS service in six public hospitals provided by the HA.

The DH and the HA said the arrangement will help further streamline and optimise the overall service delivery.

To ensure continuity in patient care upon the transfer of service, all scheduled/follow-up appointment records for patients at the aforementioned seven clinics for dates on or after February 6, 2026, along with the cases and relevant medical records stored at these clinics, will be transferred to the HA.

Patients or family members who do not agree to have their cases and relevant medical records transferred to the HA should contact the DH by phone at 3153 4044 or by email on or before January 16, 2026.

Patients who opt out of the arrangements should note that their follow-up appointments scheduled on or after February 6 next year will be cancelled. Should they require future consultations at the HA’s dental and OMS services, a new referral letter will be required for appointments, and new case consultation fees will be charged according to the HA’s arrangements.

Medical records that patients or family members refuse to transfer to the HA will be disposed of and destroyed by the DH in accordance with its record management policy after the service transfer.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

According to the statistics, 2,000 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total amount of US$10,683,481,000 were approved from January to November 2025. This indicates a decrease of 3.10% in the number of cases, but an increase of 47.29% in FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.

With regard to inward investment from Mainland China, 17 cases were approved with an amount of US$102,495,000 from January to November 2025. This indicates a decrease of 50% in the number of cases and a decrease of 65.47% in the FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.

In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 748 projects were registered from January to November 2025 with a total amount of US$36,297,174,000, indicating an increase of 4.18%in the number of cases, but an decrease of 17.98% in the amount, as compared to the same period of 2024.

As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 228 applications have been approved from January to November 2025, indicating a decrease of 24.50% compared to the same period of 2024. The approved investment amount is US$1,394,997,000, 61.32% less than the same period in 2024.