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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

Domestic terrorism act condemned

The heads of five disciplinary forces today issued a statement strongly condemning the terrorist attack in which a police officer on duty was attacked with a knife on July 1.   The heads of the disciplinary forces include Commissioner of Customs & Excise Hermes Tang, Commissioner of Correctional Services Woo Ying-ming, Director of Fire Services Joseph Leung, Director of Immigration Au Ka-wang and Controller of the Government Flying Service Wu Wai-hung.   The forces’ heads also condemned the move by some people to glorify the attacker’s act as heroism on social media, adding that they fully support Police's resolute enforcement actions.   Online comments glorified the suspect’s cold-blooded act of violence, incited hatred and further terrorism activities. This not only directly encourages more people to replicate the suspect’s brutal and unlawful acts, but also condones the emergence of domestic terrorism, and puts Hong Kong's public safety and order at risk. Such influence can be catastrophic.   The officials emphasised that the disciplinary forces will stay united to keep up their commitment and fully co-operate with Police's enforcement actions.    They added that they will also continue to do their utmost in combating domestic terrorism, thereby ensuring the safety of Hong Kong citizens, maintaining public peace and safeguarding national security.
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