The Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on the 22nd that the Composite Consumer Price Index will increase by 1.4% year-on-year in December 2025, which is higher than the corresponding increase of 1.2% in November last year. Excluding the impact of the government's single relief measures, the basic inflation rate is 1.2%. The year-on-year increase is mainly due to the rise in tourism expenses and transportation costs to and from Hong Kong. Among various consumer items, the categories that recorded year-on-year price increases in December last year were transportation, miscellaneous services, tobacco and alcohol, housing, miscellaneous items, dining out and takeout, and basic food, which increased by 4.3%, 2.3%, 2%, 1.6%, 1.2%, 1.1%, and 0.7%, respectively; Durable goods decreased by 2.6%, clothing and footwear decreased by 1.7%, and electricity, gas, and water decreased by 1.6%. Wen Jiawei, Chief Economist and Strategist of Dah Sing Financial Group, stated that in the medium to long term, as the consumer market in Hong Kong gradually improves and the real estate market stabilizes, it may lead to a moderate increase in housing rents, and the decline in durable goods prices is expected to gradually narrow. A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government stated that consumer price inflation remained mild in December last year, and price pressures on major components continued to be largely controlled. Looking ahead, overall inflation should remain mild in the short term due to moderate local costs and external price pressures. (New Society)