Hong Kong Monthly Digest Reveals Investment Trends and Rising Crime Rates in 2023

January 2025 issue of "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" now available

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (January 15) the January 2025 issue of the "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" (HKMDS).

Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled "Hong Kong's External Direct Investment Statistics, 2014 to 2023" and "Crime Situation of Hong Kong in 2023". Statistics presented in the "Crime Situation of Hong Kong in 2023" article are based on the data source from the Hong Kong Police Force.

"Hong Kong's External Direct Investment Statistics, 2014 to 2023"

Hong Kong is an international financial centre and commercial hub for multinational corporations to manage their investments and businesses around the world. It is also an important gateway for overseas companies to enter the market of the mainland of China (the Mainland) as well as a platform for facilitating the Mainland enterprises to gain access to the global market. External direct investment (DI) between Hong Kong and the rest of the world, including the Mainland, is very sizable. Analysis of Hong Kong's DI statistics over the past years is useful in understanding the characteristics and trend of DI in Hong Kong.

This feature article presents the salient features of Hong Kong's DI statistics in the past decade.

For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Balance of Payments Branch (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7016; email: di@censtatd.gov.hk).

"Crime Situation of Hong Kong in 2023"

In 2023, a total of 90 276 crimes were recorded in Hong Kong, representing an increase of 29%. Major crimes that recorded increases included deception, theft, blackmail and burglary. This feature article gives an overview of the crime statistics in 2023.

For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Statistics Office, Crime Wing of the Hong Kong Police Force (Tel: 2860 8438; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 130 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010002&scode=460).

Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

Notice on appointments to advisory and statutory bodies

A Government spokesman said today (January 12) that Mr Chan Kin-por recently sought approval from the Chief Executive to suspend his three public positions as appointed by the Chief Executive, until the completion of the work of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (Independent Committee). Mr Chan made this request to allow himself more time to dedicate to the work of the Independent Committee. After due consideration, the Chief Executive has agreed to and approved this request. The three public positions are: (1) Chairman of Independent Commission Against Corruption Advisory Committee on Corruption; (2) Non-executive Director of Urban Renewal Authority Board; and (3) Member of Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee.

On December 12, 2025, the Government established the Independent Committee to examine the causes of the incident and related issues, ascertain the facts, and make recommendations on preventing similar tragedies and on improvement measures. The Independent Committee is chaired by Mr Justice David Lok, with Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen serving as members. The Independent Committee held its first meeting on December 19 last year and aims to complete its work within nine months of commencing operations.

Mr Chan Kin-por wrote earlier to the Chief Executive, expressing his wish to suspend the aforementioned three public positions until the Independent Committee completes its work, in order to dedicate more time and focus to the Independent Committee's tasks. The Chief Executive has agreed to and approved the request.

A Government spokesperson said that since the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, both the Government and the wider community have been highly concerned about the causes of the incident and the follow-up work. The scope of the Independent Committee's work is extensive, particularly concerning systemic issues related to bid-rigging and connected interests. Given the numerous issues involved and their complex nature, the Government will fully co-operate with the Independent Committee to ensure that it can complete its work and compile its report within nine months. The Government extends its gratitude to Mr Chan for accepting the appointment as a member of the Independent Committee and for his professional and conscientious approach to the Committee's work. When the Independent Committee's work is completed, the Government looks forward to Mr Chan's continuous contribution through his aforementioned public positions.

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