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
Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui determined that oaths taken by 16 District Council members on October 8 were invalid.
The oath-taking ceremony covered members of the Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Kwai Tsing and the Islands district councils. Of the 68 members who took oaths, Mr Tsui as the oath administrator confirmed that 51 were valid.
For the remaining 17 members whose oaths were in question, one member tendered her resignation on October 11 and Mr Tsui confirmed today that the other 16 members' oaths taken were invalid after considering their replies and all relevant information.
The decision is based on the principles laid down in the Interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law by the National People's Congress Standing Committee and the relevant legal provisions.
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http://dlvr.it/SB0fcJ