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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

CE condemns attack on police officer

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today strongly condemned an attack on a police officer causing serious injuries and she wished the officer a speedy recovery.   At 10.05pm yesterday, the police officer was attacked from behind outside 555 Hennessy Road in Wan Chai. The suspect then stabbed himself in the chest with the same knife which he used in the attack.   The officer was sent to hospital for treatment. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung went to the hospital to offer his support.   The suspected attacker was rushed to another hospital with a serious chest injury and he was later certified dead.   Mrs Lam and Chief Secretary John Lee strongly condemned violence and acts that undermine public order. They sent their regards to the injured officer and wished him a speedy recovery.   Both of them also expressed concern over various incidents in Hong Kong yesterday that were suspected to be illegal and undermined public order. They condemned such acts which breach the peace and challenge the authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.   The Chief Executive said that after going through months of riots in the second half of 2019, the people of Hong Kong abhor violence and treasure the stability of society since the implementation of the National Security Law last year.   Mrs Lam said she fully supports Police in taking resolute actions against violent and illegal acts to maintain law and order as well as to safeguard people's life and property.
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