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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 visits nat'l security dept

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today visited the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government (CPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Police National Security Department.   During the visits, Mrs Lam, along with leaders of the respective offices, reviewed the effectiveness of the implementation of the National Security Law over the past year.   She expressed gratitude to the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG for its effective discharge of duty in accordance with the National Security Law under the leadership of Zheng Yanxiong, including overseeing, guiding, co-ordinating with and providing support to the Hong Kong SAR in its work in safeguarding national security.   "The National Security Law has turned chaos to order and restored stability in Hong Kong society. Over the past year, national security awareness has gradually increased in Hong Kong, to which the CPG Office on National Security has made significant contributions.   “I, on behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government, express gratitude to the central authorities and the CPG Office on National Security."   The Chief Executive also fully acknowledged the effective enforcement of the National Security Law by the Police National Security Department over the past year, noting that they have been taking up the responsibility of safeguarding national security steadfastly.   "Safeguarding national security is an honourable and vital duty. As the national security risks in the Hong Kong SAR have not been completely eradicated, all of us are required to continue to discharge our duty to safeguard national security with profound courage and full confidence."
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