Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $2.2 million
In the first case, a 36-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 5kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1 million from her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tsuen Wan yesterday afternoon, Customs intercepted a man and a woman, aged 44 and 38. Customs officers later escorted them to nearby industrial premises for a search and seized about 5kg of suspected cannabis buds, about 2kg of suspected cannabis resin, about 1kg of suspected cannabis-infused gummy candies, about 4kg of suspected cannabis-infused chocolate, 65 suspected cannabis oil products, 32 g of suspected methamphetamine, and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia. They were then arrested. The estimated market value of the drug seizures was about $1.2 million.
After investigation, the arrested woman in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on February 9. Investigation of the second case 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.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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.hkIssued at HKT 20:13
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Kick-off ceremony of “Creating Health Values of Chinese Medicine” Event Series and first promotional event held today
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Kick-off ceremony of “Creating Health Values of Chinese Medicine” Event Series and first promotional event held today
The ceremony was officiated by Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Mr C Y Leung. The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CMHHK Operator, Mr Wong Kwai-huen, also attended.
Mr Leung expressed the hope that CMHHK and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) would leverage Hong Kong’s unique role to promote the inheritance, innovation and development of CM and facilitate further exchanges between CM and other traditional medicines abroad.
Professor Lo said, “This event demonstrates our commitment to advancing the CM cultural inheritance as set out in the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint. Built on cross-institutional and cross-sectoral collaboration, the event aims to facilitate citizens’ in-depth understanding of the advantages of CM services and disseminate knowledge on the appropriate selection of CM for disease prevention and treatment to improve personal health. The event also showcases the mission of CMHHK and the GCMTI, as the CM flagship projects in Hong Kong, in creating health values.
“CMHHK and the GCMTI will further deepen efforts to enhance the values of CM. In collaboration with the industry and relevant stakeholders, they will promote CM culture and knowledge, the adoption of CM approaches in daily living, and the use of CM services to members of the public through diverse activities, with a view to strengthening public confidence in and recognition of CM.”
Following the kick-off ceremony, a number of representatives from the CM sector and schools participated in the keynote sessions and panel discussion under the theme of “Inception of Chinese Medicine Flagship Projects in Hong Kong and Inheritance of Lingnan Chinese Medicine”.
Issued at HKT 19:00
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Immigration Department arrested 14 persons during operations targeting foreign domestic helpers who breached conditions of stay
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Swordfish” for five consecutive days from February 5 to 9, targeting foreign domestic helpers who breached their conditions of stay. A total of 14 persons, including seven suspected illegal workers and seven suspected employers, were arrested.
During the operations, ImmD investigators raided 22 target locations, including restaurants, retail shops, beauty centres, hair salons, fitness centres, guesthouses, commercial buildings and residential building units. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised seven women, aged 22 to 55. Among them, five persons were current helpers, one person was an overstaying ex-helper, and one person was a holder of recognizance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment in Hong Kong. The suspected illegal workers were performing as salon assistants or sales or taking up cleaning duties and household work at places other than their contractual address. Meanwhile, seven suspected employers, comprising two men and five women aged 39 to 69, were owners or persons-in-charge of the companies and restaurants involved. A copy of a forged Hong Kong identity card was also found during the operation. Relevant cases are still under investigation, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests.
Service arrangements of GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities during Lunar New Year
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Service arrangements of GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities during Lunar New Year A spokesman for the EPD said, “During the closure of the Recycling Stores, the public may still place recyclables into the self-service recycling cage trolleys/receptacles provided outside some of the Recycling Stores (no GREEN$ services). People should not leave the recyclables outside the stores or on the street when the self-service recycling facilities are full, to avoid impact on nearby residents and the environment. The operators of Recycling Stores will regularly monitor the conditions of self-service facilities every day and clear the recyclables as needed. In addition, during the closure of Recycling Stations, the public can place recyclables into the self-service recycling facilities inside the stations or outside the gates and may seek assistance from the security guards stationed at the facilities if needed.”
The spokesman stressed that the EPD has discussed with the operators to strengthen the monitoring of conditions outside each recycling point during the closure over the LNY holidays, including through CCTV and regular inspections. The operators will deploy staff to promptly clear recyclables where required.Issued at HKT 11:00
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Water Supplies Department’s clarification on water loss issue in Fairview Park
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Water Supplies Department’s clarification on water loss issue in Fairview Park
The WSD has consistently discharged its regulatory and enforcement duties in accordance with the law in relation to the water loss issue in Fairview Park. As leakage was detected in the inside service of the Fairview Park, the WSD, pursuant to the powers conferred under section 7 of the Waterworks Ordinance, required the registered agent to follow up and rectify the problem. However, the Association has repeatedly and incorrectly attributed the responsibility for the inside service to the WSD, who is in fact the regulator, and has persistently requested the WSD to undertake the maintenance responsibility of the inside service of the housing estate, including detailed inspection and replacement of watermains. This misrepresentation is completely out of order.
Furthermore, clause 42 of the special conditions of Fairview Park’s land lease only stipulates that the Government is responsible for maintenance of the water mains only if they were laid by the Government and are located beneath the roads which have been surrendered to the Government. In fact, the majority of the water mains within Fairview Park were laid by the grantee of the land and therefore the above-mentioned clause 42 is not applicable to these water mains. During the construction of Fairview Park, for the purposes of supplying water to the premises, the WSD only laid a small portion of water mains beneath the roads at the entrance and the areas within the housing estate near the entrance. These roads are still private land and have not been surrendered to the Government. Accordingly, under Section 7 of the Waterworks Ordinance and the land lease, the consumers or the registered agent shall be responsible for custody and maintenance of the water mains within Fairview Park. Despite WSD’s repeated explanations, the Association continues to misinterpret the land lease provisions. The WSD urges the Association to cease disseminating inaccurate information.Issued at HKT 23:57
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CHP reminds public not to consume raw oysters and observe food safety as two more food poisoning clusters involving raw oyster consumption reported
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP reminds public not to consume raw oysters and observe food safety as two more food poisoning clusters involving raw oyster consumption reported
New food poisoning clusters
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The clusters involve two males and three females aged between 30 and 38. They developed diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever about 14 to 49 hours after having dinner at Chef’s Cuts located at Unit 229 and 230, 2/F, THE SOUTHSIDE, 11 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, on January 30.
Three of the affected persons sought medical advice but did not require hospitalisation. All of the affected individuals are currently in stable condition.
A preliminary investigation revealed that raw oyster was the food item that the affected individuals had in common at the aforementioned restaurant. Officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch) conducted an investigation at the restaurant and the raw oyster suppliers Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings Limited. The CFS immediately instructed Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings Limited to suspend the sale and supply of raw oysters, and issued press release on the follow-up actions on February 6, instructing the trade should stop selling raw oysters supplied by the company concerned immediately if they possess them. All of the newly reported cases consumed raw oysters concerned before preventive and control measures instituted by the CFS.
The investigation of the CHP and the CFS is ongoing.
Recent surge in norovirus-related food poisoning cases
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“Food poisoning cases have continuously increased over the past few weeks, rising from one case a week on average in late December last year to four cases a week on average in January. A total of 27 cases have been recorded in the first week of February. Over the past three weeks (between January 18 and February 7), the CHP has recorded 34 food poisoning cases, affecting 108 persons. Among which, 30 cases (88 per cent) were related to norovirus, affecting 94 persons. Epidemiological investigation showed that all the affected persons of the food poisoning cases related to norovirus had consumed raw oysters during the incubation period. Among the affected persons, five persons were hospitalised for treatment. All are in stable condition. The CHP has notified the CFS on all the food poisoning cases for follow up,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
“As oysters feed by filtering a large volume of seawater, pathogens can accumulate in them if they are grown in or harvested from contaminated water. Raw and partially cooked oysters are considered a high-risk food. Persons who consume undercooked or contaminated oysters may contract food-borne diseases such as norovirus, hepatitis A virus or other bacteria. In view of the drastic increase in food poisoning cases related to consumption of raw oysters recently, members of the public, especially pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or liver diseases, shall stay vigilant and avoid consumption of raw oysters or partially cooked bivalve shellfish to prevent infection,” Dr Tsui explained.
“In addition to food poisoning, norovirus can also cause acute gastroenteritis (AGE). According to the CHP’s surveillance data, the AGE activity level has continued to increase since early January, including AGE outbreaks in institutions and schools. Laboratory testing indicated that over 60 per cent of the outbreaks were caused by norovirus. In addition, there have been increases in the norovirus activity in other popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, including Japan and Korea. Members of the public should remain vigilant and maintain personal, environmental and food hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of being infected while travelling,” Dr Tsui added.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
———————————————————-Issued at HKT 13:45
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DSJ to visit Indonesia
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DSJ to visit Indonesia
At the Conference, Dr Cheung will share views on how Hong Kong plays its distinctive role as a “super connector” in fostering ties and collaboration between the Chinese Mainland and various regions, including Southeast Asia, by leveraging its unique advantages under “one country, two systems”, a robust rule of law environment based on common law regime, and its top-notch legal, financial and other professional services.
Dr Cheung will return to Hong Kong on February 11.
Issued at HKT 11:25
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Justice upheld in Court of First Instance’s sentence regarding Lai Chee-ying case
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Court of First Instance of the High Court today (February 9) handed down sentences for Lai Chee-ying and the other eight defendants, as well as three companies relating to Apple Daily in respect of their convictions of a total of three charges of offences endangering national security. The total sentence for Lai Chee-ying was imprisonment for 20 years. As for the other eight defendants, their imprisonment terms ranged from six years and three months to 10 years. The three companies relating to Apple Daily were each sentenced to a fine of HK$3,004,500.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, “Lai Chee-ying has committed numerous heinous crimes, and his evil deeds were beyond measure. The severe sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment imposed on him manifests that the rule of law is upheld and justice is done, and also brings great relief to all. Lai Chee-ying had long used Apple Daily to poison the minds of our citizens, by inciting hatred, distorting facts, deliberately stirring up social antagonism and glorifying violence. He had openly begged for external forces to impose sanctions against China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), sacrificing the well-being of the people of China and the HKSAR. He betrayed our country and harmed Hong Kong, causing damage to the interests of our country and the HKSAR. His conviction is supported by overwhelming evidence, and he for sure deserves his punishment after all the harm he has done.
Lai Chee-ying sentenced to 20 years
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Court of First Instance of the High Court today handed down sentences for Lai Chee-ying and the other eight defendants, as well as three companies relating to Apple Daily in respect of their convictions of a total of three charges of offences endangering national security.
The total sentence for Lai Chee-ying was imprisonment for 20 years. As for the other eight defendants, their imprisonment terms ranged from six years and three months to 10 years. The three companies relating to Apple Daily were each sentenced to a fine of $3,004,500.
Chief Executive John Lee said Lai Chee-ying has committed numerous heinous crimes and his evil deeds were beyond measure. Mr Lee added that the severe sentence imposed on Lai Chee-ying manifests that the rule of law is upheld and justice is done, and also brings great relief to all.
“Lai Chee-ying had long used Apple Daily to poison the minds of our citizens, by inciting hatred, distorting facts, deliberately stirring up social antagonism and glorifying violence. He had openly begged for external forces to impose sanctions against China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, sacrificing the well-being of the people of China and the Hong Kong SAR. He betrayed our country and harmed Hong Kong, causing damage to the interests of our country and the Hong Kong SAR. His conviction is supported by overwhelming evidence, and he for sure deserves his punishment after all the harm he has done,” Mr Lee said.
“Lai Chee-ying’s malicious acts endangering national security have harmed the interests of our country and the Hong Kong SAR, as well as the interests of our citizens. The court, after 156 days of fair and impartial public hearings and having considered the irrefutable evidence of up to 2,220 exhibits, over 80,000 pages of documents and statements of evidence from 14 prosecution witnesses, concluded that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind behind those anti-China and destabilising activities. His acts are despicable and shameless,” he added.
The Chief Executive also pointed out that the conviction of the heinous crimes committed by Lai Chee-ying was the first convicted case of the offence of collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security since the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL).
“This marks an important milestone in the Hong Kong SAR’s efforts to safeguard national security, manifesting the role of the HKNSL as a key stabilising force. This case also admonishes that villains who endanger national security could never escape the sanctions of the law and would surely be severely punished in accordance with the law. The Hong Kong SAR will continue to steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.”
Mr Lee also remarked that Hong Kong as a whole has already paid a heavy price as some of the Hong Kong citizens, especially young people, have been misled to break the law and become radical and violent.
As of the end of last year, more than 2,400 individuals have been held accountable for unlawful acts during the period of “black-clad violence”.
The Hong Kong SAR Government said the court pointed out clearly in its verdict handed down earlier that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind of the case, adding that he had manipulated and exploited Apple Daily to poison society, and repeatedly colluded with external forces to beg for sanctions and hostile activities against the Central Authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government.
It added that Lai Chee-ying’s malicious plot spanned across both the periods before and after the promulgation of the HKNSL.
The Hong Kong SAR Government noted that Lai Chee-ying’s intent was to collude with external forces to harm the interests of China and the Hong Kong SAR, as well as those of Hong Kong citizens. It added that Lai Chee-ying also shamelessly acted as a pawn of external forces to endanger national security.
After hearing the submissions of the defendants on sentencing in the hearings of January 12 and 13, the court provided a detailed account of its considerations in every respect in its reasons for the sentence handed down today.
The court held that the offence of conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications in this case fell within the most serious category for its type, and the two offences of conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security fell within the category of offences of “a grave nature”.
The Hong Kong SAR Government stated that as the court pointed out in the reasons for the sentence, the offences took place at a time when Hong Kong had hardly recovered from the social turmoil caused by the anti-extradition law amendment bill movement.
It added that the conspiracies were meticulously planned, involved multiple parties, and were clearly premeditated. The conspiracies involved the use of online platforms and a large number of seditious articles, targeting both local and overseas audiences, and some criminal activities were even conducted outside the Hong Kong SAR. The conspiracies were persistent ones, resulting in many acts rather than a single incident.
The Hong Kong SAR Government also made it clear that after the enactment of the HKNSL, even though Lai Chee-ying’s requests for foreign countries to impose sanctions or blockades, or engage in other hostile activities became more implicit and subtle, the change was only in form rather than in substance, with all the defendants continuing with their agreement for some time until after they were arrested by Police.
It added that the sanctions imposed by foreign countries against the Hong Kong SAR, as well as against officials of China and the Hong Kong SAR have not been removed even up to today.
The Hong Kong SAR Government said it is wholly unrealistic to say that Lai Chee-ying and others’ activities were not a contributing cause.
It emphasised that the court unequivocally identified Lai Chee-ying as the mastermind and the driving force behind the conspiracies, which constituted an aggravating factor and therefore enhanced the starting point for his sentence.
The Government would forfeit the offence-related property of Lai Chee-ying in accordance with the law. It will also initiate the procedures pursuant to the Companies (Winding Up & Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance to have the three companies relating to Apple Daily struck off the Companies Register to safeguard national security.
New Energy Efficiency Training Facility To Boost Singapore’s Energy Efficiency And Decarbonisation Capabilities
Source: Government of Singapore
First-of-its-kind integrated industrial systems facility in Singapore to train 400 professionals and students annually
JOINT NEWS RELEASE BETWEEN NEA AND SIT
9 February 2026 – The Energy Efficiency Technology Centre (EETC), a collaboration between the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), opened its new Energy Efficiency Training Facility (EETF) at SIT Punggol Campus today. It was launched by Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Education, Dr Janil Puthucheary. The new 430 square-metre facility features Singapore’s first integrated suite of industrial systems that provides practical training simulating real-world manufacturing conditions in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.
New Energy Efficiency Training Facility is Singapore’s first to provide training within a real-world setting
2 The facility, the first of its kind in Singapore, houses comprehensive industrial systems including pump, compressed air, lighting, fan, electric motor, air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation, heat pump, boiler and steam trap. It also features an Energy Management System with simulation capabilities and real-time data collection, analysis, and monitoring. With the facility, participants can carry out energy efficiency assessments in a safe and controlled environment, without disrupting actual operations or incurring costly downtime. SIT students undergoing their Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP) will also be able to work alongside EETC professionals at the facility to acquire practical energy audit skills.
3 The EETF also serves as a platform for applied research and digital innovation. SIT has entered into a Research Collaboration Agreement with Willowglen Services Pte Ltd to develop a Sustainability Reporting System for the new training facility. Leveraging operational data from industrial systems, the project enables real-time monitoring and analytics of energy consumption, carbon emissions and system performance, enhancing training and research outcomes. SIT students may also be involved as part of their coursework, reinforcing the integration of education, research and industry collaboration.
4 SIT President Professor Chua Kee Chaing said, “This training facility underscores SIT’s commitment to applied learning and industry-relevant education. As the first of its kind facility in Singapore’s tertiary landscape, it enables engineers, managers, technologists and engineering students involved in energy efficiency, decarbonisation and sustainability domains to gain authentic, hands-on experience using industrial systems typically found in the manufacturing sector. By bringing industry-grade systems in-house, learners will be able to benefit from more structured, scalable and immersive training, strengthening workforce readiness and supporting Singapore’s energy efficiency and decarbonisation efforts.”
Energy Efficiency Technology Centre steadily increasing support to build local industrial energy efficiency capabilities
5 With the new Energy Efficiency Training Facility, the EETC is expected to deliver an estimated 1,500 hours of practical and hands-on training annually, benefiting around 400 participants each year across its various programmes and outreach activities, including the Energy Efficiency Upskilling Programme (EEUP) and the Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) programme. Since the EETC’s inception in 2020, it has supported more than 50 companies with over 250 industrial systems assessed and has trained 100 students whilst upskilling more than 500 professionals through the EEUP.
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