Month: August 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Regarding the recent incident concerning Government procurement of bottled drinking water, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (SFST), Mr Christopher Hui, convened an urgent meeting with relevant parties today (August 17) and decided at the meeting that a three-pronged approach would be taken to investigate into the incident and conduct a review on the system with a view to avoiding re-occurrence of similar incidents.

Mr Hui said, “The incident has brought up concerns among government colleagues and drawn extensive attention from the public. I have therefore invited the Audit Commission to conduct a review on the tender exercise in question. I will establish a task force, with me as the Chair, to work with other government bureaux and departments to comprehensively review the existing Government procurement regime. I have also instructed the Government Logistics Department (GLD) to step up its remedial action for the incident.”

The follow-up actions that the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) will take are:
 
(1) The FSTB has proactively invited the Audit Commission to review the tender exercise for the subject bottled drinking water contract to find out if there are any negligence or deficiencies in the process;
 
(2) A task force chaired by the SFST will be established with representatives from the Civil Service Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Development Bureau and the Department of Justice to review the existing Government procurement regime with a view to plugging possible loopholes and avoiding re-occurrence of similar incidents. The FSTB anticipated that report on the preliminary recommendations will be available after three months; and
 
(3) The GLD has been tasked to take up the main responsibility to continuously monitor the contractual performance of the suppliers of bottled drinking water, step up its remedial action regarding the contract of bottled drinking water in question, as well as follow up with relevant government departments on other government contracts undertaken by the same contractor and its persons-in-charge to take an overall look on their performances.
 
At the same time, the GLD has informed all bureaux and departments to recall the bottled drinking water in question and made relevant arrangements.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government made a solemn statement yesterday (August 16) to express strong disapproval and opposition against the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country. The HKSAR Government emphasises that any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. 

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, “Following the ‘black-clad violence’ and the Hong Kong version of ‘colour revolution’ in 2019, a number of criminals who have committed serious offences endangering national security absconded. Among them, some even forged documents and deceived the court with false information in order to obtain the court’s permission to leave Hong Kong while on bail, and jumped bail to evade legal responsibilities. During abscondence, they continued to blantantly engage in acts endangering national security. These are out-and-out shameful and cowardly acts.

“In Hong Kong, any arrest and prosecution is directed against the criminal act and has nothing to do with the political stance, background or thought of the person(s) concerned; arrest and prosecution are based on facts and evidence, and conducted in strict accordance with the law. Hong Kong has an independent judiciary with the power of final adjudication. Everyone shall receive a fair and just trial. Any country that harbours Hong Kong criminals in any form shows contempt for the rule of law, grossly disrespects Hong Kong’s legal systems and barbarically interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong. Turning a blind eye to the offences committed by the criminals and disregarding the potential security threats posed to the local community and residents, they shall eventually bear the consequences of what they have done.

“Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong. Ultimately, they will be held liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law.”

The spokesman reiterated, “Endangering national security is a very serious crime. The HKSAR Government will do everything possible and use all legal means to pursue and combat criminals who endanger national security as well as to hold them accountable, thereby safeguard national security.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs on August 11 seized about 7.6 kilograms suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $4.5 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. A man was arrested yesterday (August 15).
 
Customs on August 11 inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as sandals, arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand at the Kwai Chung Customhouse. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected heroin concealed in the heels of a batch of sandals.
 
Customs officers subsequently mounted a controlled delivery operation yesterday and arrested a 62-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Cheung Sha Wan.
 
An investigation is ongoing.
 
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
 
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui today convened an urgent meeting with relevant parties on the recent incident concerning government procurement of bottled drinking water.

It was decided at the meeting that a three-pronged approach would be taken to investigate the incident and conduct a review on the system with a view to avoiding a re-occurrence of similar incidents.

Firstly, the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) has proactively invited the Audit Commission to review the tender exercise for the subject bottled drinking water contract to find out if there is any negligence or deficiencies in the process.

Secondly, a task force chaired by Mr Hui will be established with representatives from the Civil Service Bureau, the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau, the Development Bureau and the Department of Justice.

The task force will review the existing government procurement regime with a view to plugging possible loopholes and avoiding a re-occurrence of similar incidents.

The FSTB anticipates that a report on the preliminary recommendations will be available after three months.

Thirdly, the Government Logistics Department (GLD) has been tasked to take up the main responsibility to continuously monitor the contractual performance of the suppliers of bottled drinking water.

The department will step up its remedial action regarding the contract of bottled drinking water in question, as well as follow up with relevant government departments on other government contracts undertaken by the same contractor and its persons-in-charge to take an overall look at their performances.

Mr Hui said the incident has brought up concerns among government colleagues and drawn extensive attention from the public.

The GLD has informed all bureaus and departments to recall the bottled drinking water in question and made relevant arrangements.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan will depart for a visit to Beijing tomorrow.

During her visit, Ms Chan will call on the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and meet representatives of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the National Development & Reform Commission and the National Railway Administration.

She will also tour a local enterprise of smart transport systems to learn about their operation.

Permanent Secretary for Transport & Logistics Kevin Choi will join the visit. 

Ms Chan will return to Hong Kong on Tuesday evening. During her absence, Under Secretary for Transport & Logistics Liu Chun-san will be Acting Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today made a solemn statement to express strong disapproval and opposition against the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country.

The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.

The statement noted that following the “black-clad violence” and the Hong Kong version of “colour revolution” in 2019, a number of criminals who have committed serious offences endangering national security absconded.

Among them, some even forged documents and deceived the court with false information in order to obtain the court’s permission to leave Hong Kong while on bail, and jumped bail to evade legal responsibilities.

During abscondence, these criminals continued to blantantly engage in acts endangering national security. The statement said those are out-and-out shameful and cowardly acts.

The Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that in Hong Kong, any arrest and prosecution is directed against the criminal act and has nothing to do with the political stance, background or thought of the person(s) concerned.

Arrest and prosecution are based on facts and evidence, and conducted in strict accordance with the law. Hong Kong has an independent judiciary with the power of final adjudication. Everyone shall receive a fair and just trial.

The statement said any country that harbours Hong Kong criminals in any form shows contempt for the rule of law, grossly disrespects Hong Kong’s legal systems and barbarically interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong.

Turning a blind eye to the offences committed by the criminals and disregarding the potential security threats posed to the local community and residents, they shall eventually bear the consequences of what they have done, the statement added.

Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong, adding that they will be held liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law ultimately.

The Hong Kong SAR Government further stressed that endangering national security is a very serious crime and it will do everything possible and use all legal means to pursue and combat criminals who endanger national security as well as to hold them accountable, thereby safeguarding national security.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Located far in the rural area of Sheung Shui, the Tai Lung Experimental Station is the only crop experimental farm handled by the Government. This is where the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD), in its quest to find production techniques and crop varieties fit for the local environment as a way to support the upgrading and transformation of the agriculture industry, conducts key research and trials.

Tech-driven agriculture

The station has been actively promoting organic farming, with various vegetables and fruits grown on the farm, to introduce farmers to quality crop varieties so as to enhance their productivity. It also provides a farm machinery and equipment landing service to acquaint farmers with the advantages of modern production technologies.

AFCD Agricultural Officer Calvin Cheung pointed out that the use of modernised technology to promote the sustainable development of agriculture is a global trend. It can also reduce the industry’s dependence on manpower and address the challenges posed by climate change.

“Through the use of modernised technology, we hope to drive the industry towards high-quality development,” he said.

The greenhouse in the station showcases how smart technology can help with regulating watering and temperature. In addition, the station collaborates with the Logistics & Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre to develop a mobile application utilising artificial intelligence technology with image recognition technology to identify and diagnose crop pest and disease problems, enabling early detection and intervention.

Locally-grown strategy

While Hong Kong mainly relies on food imports, local agricultural production primarily serves as a supplementary source. The local agriculture industry generally produces high-quality crops through intensive land use and production methods.

The department hopes that through reviving distinctive or historically significant agricultural varieties, it can provide unique selling points for local agricultural products and attract consumers.

In recent years, the department successfully reintroduced a vegetable variety named hok tau pak choy and a local rice variety called “Fa Yiu Tsai”. “Fa Yiu Tsai” was once extinct locally, but the department obtained its seeds from a seed bank in 2019 and successfully reintroduced it at the Tai Lung Experimental Station. It then distributed the seeds to local farmers to promote cultivation of the local rice variety.

Comprehensive blueprint

In its effort to promote the upgrading and transformation of the agriculture and fisheries industries towards modernisation and sustainable development, the Government announced the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture & Fisheries in 2023.

The blueprint outlines eight key development areas and various specific measures covering financial and infrastructure support, application of technology, and so on. It also proposes initiatives such as developing an agricultural park and promoting urban farming.

In terms of financial support, the department, through the $1 billion Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund, assists the industry to switch to a sustainable and high-value added mode of operation, thereby boosting the industry’s overall competitiveness.

The fund has also set up the Farm Improvement Scheme to subsidise farmers in purchasing new machinery and equipment, such as tillers, enabling them to farm more efficiently.

AFCD Agricultural Officer Karina Poon added that to further strengthen sales and promotion of local agricultural and fisheries products, the department plans to introduce a unified new brand in 2025-2026 to advance safe, low-carbon and premium local agricultural and fisheries products .

This new brand will establish production standards, farming methods, and a certification and traceability system to ensure quality standards are met.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region