Month: April 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A 52-year-old man was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (April 18) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes using a cross-boundary private car, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Hong Kong Customs intercepted an inbound private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (April 17). Upon inspection, Customs officers seized a total of 8 520 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes inside the front bumper of the private car. The 52-year-old male driver was subsequently arrested. The estimated market value of the cigarettes seized in the case was about $42,000, and the duty potential was about $28,000.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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 Government special administrative region

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco) welcomed the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) Nexus Ensemble by hosting a Hong Kong Cultural Evening series in Seattle (March 31, Seattle time), San Francisco (April 2, San Francisco time), and Los Angeles (April 6, Los Angeles time). The Nexus Ensemble’s West Coast debut was part of a cultural exchange tour aimed at strengthening cultural ties between Hong Kong and the United States (US).

     The HKAPA Nexus Ensemble is a chamber ensemble formed this year, bringing together outstanding students and alumni of the Academy. The ensemble takes its name from the word “nexus” – a point of connection between musicians, musical traditions, and cultures. The current edition consists of six members including string musicians and coaches.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Civil Aid Service (CAS) held the Passing-out Parade for the 92nd Recruits and 14th Tactical Force Secondment Scheme at its headquarters today (April 19). The parade was reviewed by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam.
 
     Speaking at the Parade, Dr Lam said that the Department of Health (DH) has maintained close co-operation with the CAS over the years. Reflecting on history, from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and human swine influenza to COVID-19, the CAS has provided crucial support in managing quarantine and isolation centres. Last November, the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, along with the CAS and multiple government departments, conducted a public health exercise codenamed “Amethyst” to test the response capabilities in handling Ebola cases and to strengthen interdepartmental arrangements and co-ordination. These exercises and preventive measures are key to enhancing overall epidemic prevention capabilities and ensuring a swift and orderly response in the event of a major infectious disease outbreak.
 
     He said that from a public health perspective, comprehensive emergency preparedness directly affects the lives and health of citizens. The professional training received by CAS members in first aid, search and rescue, crisis management, and epidemic prevention support enables them to take immediate emergency actions at incident scenes. At the community level, they also assist in promoting disaster prevention and health awareness, enhancing the overall resilience of the population. It is this professionalism and selfless dedication that form the solid foundation of urban safety and health, he said.
 
     During the ceremony, Dr Lam presented awards to outstanding recruits. The graduates staged demonstrations of vegetation firefighting and rescue techniques, showcasing the outcomes of their training.
 
     A total of 72 recruits and 50 officers and members from the Tactical Force Secondment Scheme participated in the passing-out parade, with many graduates coming from diverse backgrounds. The CAS Recruit Training Certificate Programme has been recognised under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework as meeting the accreditation standards at Level 3 by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. Graduates will be awarded the Certificate in Auxiliary Forces Basic Training (Civil Defence), and will apply their acquired knowledge and skills to serve society.
   
     Recruitment of CAS officers and members is open for application throughout the year. Recruitment details and application forms are available on the CAS website (www.cas.gov.hk/eng/adult_recruitment.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Intelligence and Investigation), Mr Wong Ho-yin, witnessed by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with JD.com today (April 20) at the Customs Headquarters Building to establish a closer co-operative relationship. 

At the signing ceremony, Mr Chan said that JD.com has close ties with Hong Kong Customs. One of the Group’s subsidiaries in logistics has been accredited as a Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator, making it a trusted partner of Hong Kong Customs. This also shows JD.com’s commitment to safeguarding supply chain security. Through the signing of the MOU, both sides will establish a closer communication and collaboration mechanism, strengthen compliance promotion, and work together to prevent prohibited or controlled items from entering Hong Kong through online shopping channels, thereby providing more comprehensive protection for consumers.

     The Vice President and Chief Economist of JD.com, Dr Shen Jianguang, also remarked that JD.com adheres to its core philosophy of “achieving success the right way”. The Group firmly believes that only by operating legally, compliantly, and with integrity can it achieve sustainable and healthy development while creating value for society. Looking ahead, JD.com will strengthen its co-operation with Hong Kong Customs, actively co-ordinate with Customs’ regulatory efforts, and work together to maintain a sound import and export order.

Hong Kong Customs will continue to adopt innovative thinking in its development, strengthen co-operation with the industry, and steadfastly uphold the mission of safeguarding the gate of Hong Kong and facilitating legitimate trade.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs on April 4 seized around 5 000 suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of around $1.4 million at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port.
 
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an incoming lorry at the HZMB Hong Kong Port. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit goods inside the cargo compartment of the lorry. A 64-year-old male driver was subsequently arrested.
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Initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit goods would have been transhipped to overseas regions.
 
The investigation is ongoing, and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
 
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against counterfeit goods and smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
 
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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 Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving an ocean-going vessel on April 13. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $20 million were seized.
 
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Strategies were thus formulated to crack down on the related activity.
 
Customs on that day selected a container that was scheduled to be shipped to Australia and declared as carrying laundry baskets for inspection. Upon examination, Customs officers found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including 810 000 cigarettes, electronic appliances, furniture, pet supplies and toys.
 
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
 
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.
 
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
 
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
 
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will lead the research task force set up by the Working Group on Planning and Construction (WG) of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to visit Korea tomorrow (April 21). The delegation will conduct site visits to local higher education infrastructure and exchange views with university experts and scholars on their successful experiences and development strategies to efficiently advance the construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town.
 
     Members of the delegation led by Mr Chan include the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, the Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Ms Linda So, and other representatives of the WG.
 
     The delegation will visit Sejong, Daejeon, Seoul, and Incheon to inspect local higher education campuses and university towns, and exchange views with officials and representatives from higher education institutions on the operation and development of the campuses, as well as their industry-education collaboration. The delegation will also visit local research institutes to exchange views on issues such as nurturing top-tier scientific research talent.
 
     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on April 24. During his absence, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration. Dr Choi has commenced her visit to Korea today (April 20) to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and will return to Hong Kong on April 24. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

　　The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Governor of Anhui Province, Mr Wang Qingxian, at Government House today (April 20) to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Anhui and Hong Kong. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the meeting.
 
　　Mr Lee welcomed Mr Wang and his delegation to Hong Kong for a conference promoting innovation co-operation between Anhui and Hong Kong. He said that this year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan which emphasises promoting co-ordinated regional development, and consolidating and enhancing the roles of the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as driving forces. Anhui is an important engine for the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Delta Region, and Hong Kong is a core city and key driving engine of the GBA. The two places enjoy close cultural and business ties, and maintain close co-operation. He expressed confidence that the two places will continue to deepen co-operation, promote the Yangtze River Delta and the GBA as world-class city clusters, and jointly seize the new opportunities brought by the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
 
　　Mr Lee said that Hong Kong has long been Anhui’s largest source of external investment, and the two places enjoy close economic and trade ties. Hong Kong is ranked No. 1 in the world in economic freedom, and enjoys the unique advantage of having both national and international opportunities present simultaneously in the same city under the “one country, two systems” principle, playing its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has established the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force). Through its cross-sector professional services platform, the GoGlobal Task Force serves Mainland enterprises in “going global” and attracts international capital to Hong Kong, firmly advancing high-quality economic development. He welcomed more Mainland enterprises, including those from Anhui, to make good use of Hong Kong’s highly internationalised market and high value-added professional services to enhance their business competitiveness, and to use Hong Kong as a springboard to expand into global markets for shared development.
 
　　Mr Lee said that Anhui has experienced rapid economic development, with active efforts to foster emerging industries such as the digital economy and AI. Hong Kong is actively advancing the preparation of its first five-year plan, and is making every effort to build an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent, thereby opening up a new chapter of high-quality development and better integrating into and serving the country’s overall development. Hong Kong will further expand co-operation with Anhui in cutting-edge I&T fields and promote the development of the I&T sectors in both places to jointly drive the development of new quality productive forces and contribute to building a technologically advanced nation. The two places will also advance deeper and broader co-operation in areas such as finance, economics and trade, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges to achieve complementary strengths and mutual benefits for win-win outcomes.