5.1.1 Statistical presentation

Data are disseminated for four different CPIs, namely, Consumer Price Index (A) [CPI(A)], Consumer Price Index (B) [CPI(B)], Consumer Price Index (C) [CPI(C)] and Composite CPI.

1. The CPI(A) is based on the expenditure patterns of about 50 percent of households, in the relatively low expenditure range, in Hong Kong, which had an average monthly expenditure of $4,500-$18,499 in 2009/10 (October 2009 - September 2010).
2. The CPI(B) is based on the expenditure patterns of the next 30 percent of households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $18,500-$32,499 in 2009/10.
3. The CPI(C) is based on the expenditure patterns of the next 10 percent of households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $32,500-$65,999 in 2009/10. 
4. The Composite CPI, which is the main indicator of consumer price inflation in Hong Kong, is based on the expenditure patterns of all the above households taken together.

The CPIs are Laspeyres indices, with a base period of the 12-month period from October 2009 to September 2010.  The weights are derived with reference to the results of the Household Expenditure Survey, and the indices are re-based with the revision of the weights every five years.

The consumer goods and services covered in the CPIs are categorised into nine sections and further to 94 groups.  Apart from the overall CPI, indices by commodity/service section and group, together with the changes as compared with preceding month and same month in the preceding year, are available for each CPI series in the Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index.  Also published in the Report are the time series of the indices by commodity/service section and their year-on-year rates of change for each CPI series for the past four years and the preceding 25 months.  Salient observations about the current month’s figures are highlighted in the Report to facilitate proper interpretation of the results by the users.

Time series of the monthly CPIs by commodity/service section for the past three years and by commodity/service group for the past 12 months, and detailed analyses of the movements of the all-item indices and the indices of the nine commodity/service sections for each CPI series during the reference year are available in the Annual Report on the Consumer Price Index.

In recent years, some economies have started to adopt the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP) developed by the United Nations in analysing the CPI.  The COICOP classifies individual consumption expenditure of households into 12 major divisions according to the "purposes" of the transactions.  In view of this, the CPIs based on COICOP are additionally compiled to facilitate international comparison.  The time series of the Composite CPI, CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C), and their year-on-year rates of change are also available in the Annual Report on the Consumer Price Index.

Charts showing the CPIs and year-on-year rates of change for the overall CPI as well as those of individual commodity/service sections for each CPI series, and tables on the seasonally adjusted CPIs are available in the CPI Reports.

4.1.1 Periodicity

Monthly

4.1.2 Timeliness

No later than 23 days after the end of the reference month.

5.1.3 Advance release calendar

An advance release calendar that gives the precise release dates for the next calendar year is announced to the mass media in September of each year.  The dates are also available on the C&SD website (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/schedule_for_regular_press
_releases_on_statistical/index.jsp). Copies of the advance press release schedule can be obtained from the Technical Secretariat, 21/F., Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China; Phone: 852 2582 4958; Fax: 852 2157 9296.  In addition, a calendar of the release dates for the four months ahead is published in each issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics.

The dates, once announced, are strictly adhered to.

5.1.4 Simultaneous release

The data are released simultaneously to all interested parties by issuing the press release "Consumer Price Index for the Month of xx" to the media through the Information Services Department at 16:30 hours Hong Kong time (i.e. GMT 08:30) on the scheduled date of release (in accordance with the advance release calendar) and posted on the C&SD website (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/) shortly afterwards. The press release also announces the timing at which relevant publications will be available to the public, and indicates that enquiries can be directed to the relevant subject officer of the C&SD.

Interested users can also register with the C&SD (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/) to receive free e‑mail notification of latest press releases, statistics and publications of CPIs.

0.1.1 Responsibility for collecting, processing, and disseminating statistics

Census and Statistics Department

Statistical data are collected and processed under the terms and conditions of the Census and Statistics Ordinance enacted in 1978 and updated in 2003.  The Commissioner for Census and Statistics is the Government’s principal adviser on all statistical matters.  In particular, he has the responsibility for matters on methodology and compilation and dissemination of official statistics.

The Ordinance is published in the Laws of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region which is accessible to the public and is available on the websites of both the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk) and the Department of Justice (http://www.legislation.gov.hk/).

Official statistics are disseminated by the C&SD as a service to the public.

0.1.2 Data sharing and coordination among data producing agencies

Census and Statistics Department

The C&SD, together with statistical units established in various government departments and policy bureaux (referred to as outposted statistical units), form the Government Statistical Service.  The Commissioner for Census and Statistics, who is the head of the C&SD, coordinates the work of outposted statistical units and monitors their technical standards.  The C&SD is responsible for recruiting and training statistical staff deployed to outposted statistical units and will provide professional advice and assistance to them when deemed necessary.  Through these arrangements, coordination of statistical work is achieved and the quality standard of statistical work is maintained across the Government.

0.1.3 Confidentiality of individual reporters' data

Census and Statistics Department

The Census and Statistics Ordinance stipulates that: (1) all censuses or statistical surveys conducted by the C&SD, whether of mandatory or voluntary nature, are subject to the same legal provision for protection of confidentiality of information supplied by respondents, and (2) only aggregate statistical information will be published such that information relating to any particular individual or undertaking will be kept strictly confidential and will not be divulged to other parties.

Respondents selected for participation in C&SD’s surveys are duly informed in writing of their obligations and rights in regard to the provision of information in the surveys concerned.  They are also assured that the information they provide will be kept in strict confidence and that only aggregate statistical information will be released.

All C&SD staff are required to observe strictly the data confidentiality pledge in discharging their duties.  Proper safeguards are instituted at different stages of the survey processes to prevent unauthorised and improper disclosure of individual data.

0.1.4 Ensuring statistical reporting

Census and Statistics Department

The Census and Statistics Ordinance empowers the Commissioner for Census and Statistics to carry out population censuses and statistical surveys of mandatory or voluntary nature.  For population censuses and mandatory statistical surveys, respondents are required to provide information as specified and promulgated under relevant Census and Statistics Orders which describe in clear and explicit terms details of the survey coverage and items of enquiry in the survey.  There is penalty provision for respondents failing to provide the required information within the time specified.  For voluntary surveys, advance announcement of their implementation has to be made in the Government Gazette.

To gain and maintain the support from raw data suppliers in furnishing quality data in various statistical surveys, the C&SD conducts discussion sessions with them and pay courtesy visits to prominent establishments from time to time since 1999.  Moreover, a Customer Window Scheme has been implemented since 2003 for major companies which participate in a number of surveys of the department.  Under this Scheme, a census officer is appointed to act as the single point contact and co-ordinate all survey matters of the C&SD with a participating company so as to minimise field efforts and reduce respondent burden, thereby improving survey response and ensuring data consistency.

Prompt assistance is rendered to survey respondents to facilitate their data reporting whenever applicable.  In case respondents raise any queries or requests relating to the surveys under reference, their concerns are duly addressed at the earliest opportunity.

0.2.1 Staff, facilities, computing resources, and financing

Census and Statistics Department

Staff, computing and financing resources are adequate for the current statistical programmes.  The C&SD has approximately 1 250 staff members responsible for conducting statistical surveys and operating statistical systems for the production of social and economic statistics including data series on such areas as population, external trade, commerce and industry, labour, prices, national income and balance of payments.  The department also provides consultation and support services on statistical matters to various government departments.

The C&SD attaches great importance to developing its staff to their full potential through instituting a comprehensive range of training and development programmes for staff.  The primary objective of these programmes is to nurture staff to maximise individual performance for the effective functioning of the department.  In particular, professional staff are often sent to attend training courses, workshops, seminars and conferences held locally and overseas, thus facilitating the sharing of experience and exchange of ideas with statistical experts and practitioners outside the department.

Information technology is applied extensively throughout the statistical processes including sampling frame maintenance, sample selection, data collection, data processing, data analysis and data dissemination.  Advanced information technology applications and e-government initiatives are adopted as far as practicable to create an e-enabled work environment, which facilitates statistical operations to be conducted electronically for enhanced efficiency.

Adequate funding from the Government is reasonably secure to enable the smooth running of the current statistical programmes as well as the planning for statistical developments in the medium to long term.

0.2.2 Ensuring efficient use of resources

Census and Statistics Department

“Cost-effectiveness” is one of the six core values of the C&SD as stated in the department’s “Vision, Mission and Values” statement, which is widely promulgated on the C&SD website and in various general publications such as Performance Pledge, An Introduction to the Census and Statistics Department, and An Outline of Statistical Development.

The C&SD updates annually its corporate planning documents which consist of, among other materials, a set of work programmes covering all the major activities of the department.  Each work programme describes the resources involved, linkage to other work programmes, its main outputs and their uses, efficiency initiatives and future developments.  This programme management structure approach ensures that resources are utilised effectively, efficiently and in the right priorities in support of relevant policy decisions.

0.3.1 Monitoring user requirements

Census and Statistics Department

Senior staff of the C&SD maintain frequent contacts with key users in both public and private sectors through participation in task forces and working groups convened by various government departments/bureaux, luncheon seminars organised by various business associations and academic/professional institutes.  This ensures that the department can keep abreast of the latest developments about government policies and emerging areas of economic and social concerns.

Data users are kept informed of statistical activities with significant impact.  Examples include the major revision of Gross Domestic Product statistics, the conduct of population censuses/by-censuses, revision of the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification, rebasing of Consumer Price Index and launch of new statistical series such as asset management statistics.  In particular, consultations are made with stakeholders in the form of meetings, seminars, briefing sessions or informal contacts to ensure that the C&SD’s outputs are relevant and useful to them.

The C&SD has a range of regular channels for communication with the users, including the Statistics Advisory Board (SAB), Customer Liaison Group, meetings with private sector economists/analysts and the academia, and user seminars for media workers and private sector data users.  In particular, the SAB – chaired by the Commissioner for Census and Statistics and consisting of representatives from the Government, businesses, the academia and the community – meets twice each year to advise the C&SD on important statistical plans and proposals.  Through this channel, views of data users, raw data suppliers and statistical scientists are integrated.

Statistical professional officers of the C&SD also participate actively in international conferences, workshops, seminars and working groups to keep themselves updated on the current trends and developments in the international statistical community.

0.4.1 Quality policy

Census and Statistics Department

C&SD is committed to rendering quality statistical services. C&SD's vision, as stated in the department’s “Vision, Mission and Values” statement, is “To provide high quality statistical services, contributing to the social and economic developments of Hong Kong”. Continuous and dedicated effort is made by the department to meet this pledge.  All levels of supervisory staff are tasked with (i) employing effective means to ensure the statistical outputs are of quality standard, (ii) conducting regular reviews on performance of statistical systems, and (iii) cultivating the mindset of quality assurance among all the supporting staff. Necessary procedures and mechanism are established in statistical systems to achieve quality assurance at both the methodological and conceptual level and the production level.

0.4.2 Quality monitoring

Census and Statistics Department

A comprehensive review programme of the quality assurance mechanism of various statistical systems has been established involving both self-assessment and independent third-party review of the statistical processes concerned.  The self-assessment is carried out by professional staff responsible for the statistical systems concerned.  As regards the third-party review, a separate Quality Assurance Review Team that reports to the Deputy Commissioner for Census and Statistics has been set up to undertake independent checks with a view to strengthening the quality assurance mechanism of individual statistical systems.

In the review process, the C&SD draws upon international experience and strives to ensure that statistics are compiled and disseminated in accordance with scientific principles, professional ethics and international standards.  For instance, making reference to international practices, the performance of a statistical system in the C&SD is assessed in terms of relevance, accuracy, timeliness, comparability, coherence and accessibility.

0.4.3 Quality planning

Census and Statistics Department

In planning new programmes and reviewing existing ones, the quality element is always given due consideration.  Opinions and feedback from users on quality standards and data requirements, as well as other factors such as resources availability, timeliness, and respondent burden are all taken into account in the planning process.

In conducting the third-party review of statistical processes mentioned under 0.4.2, the Quality Assurance Review Team will provide professional views, on the basis of the review findings, to assist the relevant professional officers in identifying potential areas of enhancement of the quality standards in respect of the statistical systems concerned, apart from ascertaining whether the systems are operated in accordance with laid down methods and procedures.

1.1.1 Impartiality of statistics

Census and Statistics Department

Statistics are compiled under the terms and conditions of the Census and Statistics Ordinance.  Through enactment of the Ordinance, the C&SD is designated with a clear and independent role in collecting, analysing and disseminating statistical information.  While being a government department, the C&SD is distinct from other departments of the Government responsible for policy making and enforcement activities. This positioning of the C&SD in the Government facilitates its work and enables it to be perceived as working in an impartial and objective manner.

Professionalism is one of the six core values in the department’s “Vision, Mission and Values” statement and is actively promoted within the department.  Comprehensive training (including in-house and external training) is provided to staff in the areas of statistical knowledge and management, information technology and general management.  Professional officers of the department are sent to attend training courses/workshops, seminars and conferences held locally and overseas from time to time.

Besides formal programmes, supplementary schemes are also in place to facilitate knowledge consolidation and enhancement among staff members through participation in sharing sessions in their workplace.  For similar purposes, regular and ad hoc sectional meetings and discussions are held at the workplace for generating new, innovative ideas essential for organisational management and advancement.

1.1.2 Selection of sources, methodology, and modes of dissemination

Census and Statistics Department

The Commissioner for Census and Statistics has the responsibility for matters on methodology and compilation and dissemination of official statistics.  Decisions on the uses of data sources and statistical techniques are made by the C&SD having regard to international standards, data requirements, technical and cost considerations.  Cost-effectiveness, being one of the six core values in the department’s “Vision, Mission and Values” statement, is always taken into account.

Decisions on the dissemination of statistics as well as the timing, media and other aspects of statistics dissemination are based solely on statistical considerations and the ease of accessibility by the public.

1.1.3 Commenting on erroneous interpretation and misuse of statistics

Census and Statistics Department

The C&SD pays much attention to the correct reporting and interpretation of official statistics by the media.  Enquiry telephone numbers are always provided in statistical releases to facilitate the media and the public in making enquiries with the subject officers concerned.  A programme of customised seminars on specific statistical topics is organised for media workers on a continuous basis to promote proper reporting and interpretation of official statistics.

Whenever erroneous reporting or interpretation of statistics is detected, every effort is made to contact the relevant party in the first instance and clarify the matter in writing, providing suitable elaboration and supporting information as appropriate.  Incidences of mis-reporting or mis-interpretation of official statistics are generally not serious in Hong Kong.

1.2.1 Disclosure of terms and conditions for statistical collection, processing, and dissemination

Census and Statistics Department

Statistics are compiled under the terms and conditions of the Census and Statistics Ordinance.   The Ordinance covers the duties of the census officers, the obligations of the survey respondents and the protection of data confidentiality.   The Ordinance is published in the Laws of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which is accessible to the public and is available on the websites of both the C&SD (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/) and the Department of Justice (http://www.legislation.gov.hk/).

The C&SD publishes annually the report entitled An Outline of Statistical Development, summarising the main lines of current statistical activities and planned statistical developments in the near future.

The Department also publishes the Performance Pledge annually pledging on the various performance targets.  It is distributed to the public free of charge.

1.3.1 Guidelines for staff behavior

Census and Statistics Department

The department attaches great importance to promoting high standard of conduct and integrity among its staff members.  A comprehensive Guide on Conduct and Discipline is prepared to provide detailed guidelines for staff to avoid potential conflict of interest and to uphold the department’s high standard of conduct and discipline.  The Management of the C&SD is determined to embed a culture of probity and strengthen the values of integrity and honesty at all levels.

1.2.2 Internal governmental access to statistics prior to release

Advance copies of the press release under strict embargo are passed to the following officials, no more than 2.5 working days before the scheduled release date, to allow time to prepare comments to the media: the Chief Executive; the Chief Secretary for Administration; the Financial Secretary and some senior officials in the Government and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. A list of these officials is available from the Census and Statistics Department, HKSAR (Email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

1.2.3 Attribution of statistical products

Census and Statistics Department

In all press releases issued in the name of the C&SD, it is clearly stated that the part on statistical figures is provided by the department. When policy secretaries or their representatives in the government secretariat have commentaries on the statistical figures in the press releases, they are well delineated and are attributable.  

All official statistical publications and products produced by the C&SD carry the name and logo of the department. For those statistics provided by other government departments and organisations which are included in the C&SD publications, the data sources are always clearly quoted.

The C&SD requests that parties reproducing statistics published by the department for their own purposes duly acknowledge C&SD as the data source.

4.3.1 Revision schedule

The CPIs are rebased once every five years, with the expenditure ranges and weighting patterns of the CPIs updated.  This ensures that up-to-date expenditure patterns of households are accurately reflected in the compilation of the CPIs.

The CPI series are not revised after the first publication.  The seasonally adjusted CPI series may be revised as more data become available.  Starting from October 2004, the seasonally adjusted CPIs for the preceding three years are revised each year when the figures for October become available.

The revision arrangement is clearly described in the publications Household Expenditure Survey and the Rebasing of the Consumer Price Indices and the Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index.

4.3.2 Identification of preliminary and/or revised data

1.2.4 Advance notice of major changes in methodology, source data, and statistical techniques.

Census and Statistics Department

Changes in methodology and statistical techniques used in compiling a statistical series are described in the relevant press release and survey report during the first time of release of the revised series for users' reference.

In major statistical projects such as the Population Census and By-census, a press conference will be held before the start of the field operation.  Apart from appealing to the respondents for cooperation, the press conference will also highlight the relevant aspects relating to methodology, source data and statistical techniques as appropriate.

5.2.1 Dissemination of documentation on concepts, scope, classifications, basis of recording, data sources, and statistical techniques

5.2.2 Disseminated level of detail

4.2.1 Internal consistency

4.2.2 Temporal consistency

Updating of expenditure weights and rebasing of the CPI are carried out once every five years.  CPI series with different base periods cannot be directly compared with each other.  The averages of the index for the new and old series in an overlapping period are used to derive a conversion factor for linking up the CPI series with different base periods.

All old series at group level are converted to the current reference period based on the conversion factor to facilitate comparison of indices with different base periods.