Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of illegal importing of animal
Hong Kong Customs today (August 3) detected a suspected case of illegal importing of animal at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. Three suspected illegally imported live cats with an estimated market value of about $30,000 were seized.
Customs officers today intercepted a 56-year-old incoming Mainland female passenger at the Arrival Hall of the said Control Point. Upon examination, three live cats were seized from her rucksack, and she was subsequently arrested. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
Customs reminds the public that importing animals into Hong Kong without a valid permit is an offence.
Under the Rabies Regulation, any person found guilty of illegally importing animals, carcasses or animal products is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.
Hong Kong Customs today (August 3) detected a suspected case of illegal importing of animal at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. Three suspected illegally imported live cats with an estimated market value of about $30,000 were seized. Photo shows the suspected illegally imported live cats seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases for second quarter of 2026
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (August 4).
The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the second quarter of 2026, provisionally estimated at $27.2 billion, increased by 0.4% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants increased by 2.5% to $8.8 billion.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.4% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier.
Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the second quarter of 2026 with the second quarter of 2025, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased by 1.5% in value and 0.7% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 1.6% in value and 1.0% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops decreased by 1.5% in value and 2.5% in volume. Total receipts of bars decreased by 3.8% in value and 4.6% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts decreased by 2.7% in value and 3.6% in volume.
Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.5% in both value and volume in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the preceding quarter.
Comparing the first half of 2026 with the same period in 2025, total restaurant receipts increased by 0.8% in value but decreased by 0.1% in volume.
To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.
Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector increased by 0.9%, increased by 0.6% and decreased by 0.5% respectively in April, May and June 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.
After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 0.2%, decreased by 0.2% and decreased by 1.3% respectively in April, May and June 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that business of restaurants was largely steady recently. The value of total restaurant receipts increased by 0.4% in the second quarter over a year earlier, rendering an increase of 0.8% in the first half of the year.
Looking ahead, continued economic expansion, rising local incomes, and a steady increase in inbound visitors are expected to provide support to restaurant businesses. Yet, external uncertainties still constitute downside risks. The Government will continue to closely monitor the potential impacts of external developments on restaurant businesses.
Further information
Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the first quarter of 2026 as well as the provisional figures for the second quarter of 2026.
Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the first quarter of 2026 and the provisional indices for the second quarter of 2026.
Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.
The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the second quarter of 2026 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of theC&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from September 18, 2026.
The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases". Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540).
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of theC&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; e-mail: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
