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Apr exports value down 13%

The value of Hong Kong's total exports decreased to $338.3 billion in April, down 13% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.   The value of imports of goods decreased 11.9% to $374.9 billion for the same period.   A trade deficit of $36.6 billion, or 9.8% of the value of imports, was recorded in April.   Comparing the three-month period ending April with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 15.4%, while that of imports increased 10.7%.   The Government noted that the value of merchandise exports declined further from a year earlier in April. Exports to the Mainland, the US and the European Union all shrank and exports to other major Asian markets recorded decreases of varying degrees.   Looking ahead, it added that the weakness in the advanced economies will continue to weigh on Hong Kong's export performance, though the expected faster recovery of the Mainland economy should

HK fully co-operates with central govt

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said the central government has the authority and responsibility to improve the city’s electoral system, adding that it will render its full co-operation to the central government.   The Hong Kong SAR Government made the statement in response to the deliberation by the National People's Congress of a draft decision on improving the city's electoral system.   The Hong Kong SAR Government said to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong must always adhere to the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong".   The principle is fundamental to national sovereignty, security, development interests, as well as the long-term prosperity of Hong Kong, it added.   "Only through ‘patriots governing Hong Kong’ can the central government's overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong SAR be effectively implemented, the constitutional order as set out by the Constitution and the Basic Law be effectively safeguarded and the long-term stability and safety of Hong Kong be achieved.   "Matters concerning the political system of the Hong Kong SAR are the prerogative of the central government. The central government has the authority and responsibility to improve the electoral system in Hong Kong.   "The Hong Kong SAR Government respects that the central government is taking the lead and will render its full co-operation," the statement said.
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