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The Government today said the construction of foundation works for a public housing development project in a designated area of Kai Tak was suspended on June 5 as the emergency egress point reached a trigger level.   During the construction of the foundation works for the housing development project at Kai Tak Site 2B3 on that date, the reading in a settlement monitoring checkpoint installed at the MTR Sung Wong Toi emergency egress point of Tuen Ma Line reached 20mm, which was the pre-set trigger level for suspension of works.   In accordance with established procedures, the Housing Authority suspended the aforesaid foundation works within 30m from the emergency egress point as requested by the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) under the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Housing.   Together with the authority's building team, the Buildings Department and the MTR Corporation, the ICU inspected the emergency egress point and confirmed that it is structurally safe and the set

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

Chief Executive John Lee today met visiting Philippine Senate President Juan Miguel Fernandez Zubiri to exchange views on matters of common interest.   Mr Lee said Hong Kong and the Philippines have maintained close exchanges and co-operation in various fields such as trade, investment and finance, and that Hong Kong is an important trading and investment partner for the Philippines and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries. He encouraged more Philippine enterprises and talent to develop in Hong Kong and make better use of its professional services and internationalised business environment for expanding into Mainland markets, including those of the Greater Bay Area.   As the city is striving for early entry to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the Chief Executive thanked the Philippines for its support in Hong Kong’s bid for accession. http://dlvr.it/SplQvn

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan will depart for Xiamen this afternoon to attend the third Belt & Road Energy Partnership Forum, the Government announced.   Organised by the National Energy Administration, the forum themed “Stepping towards High-quality Energy Development” aims to study the impact of the global political and economic situation on energy development, the safeguarding of energy security and the co-operation for green energy transformation.   Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong on Thursday. During his absence, Under Secretary for Environment & Ecology Diane Wong will be Acting Secretary. http://dlvr.it/SpWxMb

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will depart for the US city of Detroit tomorrow to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting to be held from May 25-26.   Mr Yau will join discussion sessions on the multilateral trading system, fostering sustainable and inclusive trade in the region and other issues.   He will also meet ministers of other APEC member economies to exchange views on regional co-operation and issues of mutual interest.   Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on May 28. During his absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary. http://dlvr.it/SpSq1M

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan officiated at the opening ceremony of the overhauled Aberdeen Market today.   The market, under the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), adopts a modern design and layout, including delineation of stalls according to trade types, stall enlargement, passageways widening and an increase in public spaces.   It is also equipped with baby care and breastfeeding rooms and a multipurpose space for holding market promotion events.   New facilities such as a recycling store, barrier-free facilities and a separate storage room for temporary storage of carcasses are available.   The market provides 142 stalls, the majority of which started business from April 26 and have been operating smoothly.   The market's new environment and facilities have been well-received by the public.   Mr Tse said at the opening ceremony that Aberdeen Market’s overhaul is a pioneering project of the Market Modernisation Programme (MMP)