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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

National security seminar held

The Civil Service Bureau held a seminar on the topic of national security, the National Security Law and improving the electoral system today.   It was the third and final seminar in its series of seminars for directorate and senior civil servants under the theme of Understanding the Constitutional Order & Safeguarding National Security. Today's seminar was delivered by former Secretary for Justice and former Vice-Chairperson of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Elsie Leung.   It covered the holistic view of national security, the responsibility of the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security, the background to the enactment and the key elements of the National Security Law, improving the electoral system and the local implementation of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. Addressing the seminar, Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip quoted the important remarks made by National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Vice-Chairman and Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Director Xia Baolong in July.   “Only by building a solid security foundation of 'one country' can the 'two systems' enjoy greater vitality and space, the well-being and interests of Hong Kong residents be effectively safeguarded, and the prosperity, stability and lasting peace of Hong Kong be ensured. The responsibility of fully implementing the National Security Law is shouldered by the Hong Kong SAR Government, different sectors of the community, as well as every Hong Kong citizen.” Mr Nip stressed that civil servants must have an accurate understanding of the constitutional order established under the country's Constitution and the Basic Law as well as a thorough grasp of the National Security Law.   “They should also enhance their awareness of safeguarding national security and act in accord fully with the Hong Kong SAR Government in discharging its duty to safeguard national security. This is crucial to the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems',” he added.   About 480 directorate and senior rank civil servants attended the seminar. In addition to the live seminar at the Central Government Offices, some participants took part through a simulcast at the Hong Kong Central Library.   The three seminars in the series have attracted an attendance of around 1,300.
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