Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation with Mainland and Macao Customs from July 20 to 31, during which inspections of goods across the three places and destined for countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia were stepped up, with a view to combating cross-boundary and transshipment counterfeiting activities.

Through intelligence analysis and detailed investigations, Hong Kong Customs in the operation detected 23 related cases at a number of local express couriers and logistics companies, seizing a total of about 38 000 suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, mobile phones, bags, clothing and footwear, with a total estimated market value of about $15 million. 

Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with the Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to vigorously combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipping activities through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.

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 a river trade vessel on July 27. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $4 million were seized.

Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, a river trade vessel departing from Hong Kong for Macao was selected for inspection on the abovementioned date. Upon examination, Customs officers aboard the vessel found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected pharmaceutical products, cosmetic injection vials, tobacco products, and suspected dried geckos. 

Investigations are 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 on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on 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.

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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The 2026 FUN FOOD TAIWAN Awards Ceremony, organized by the Industrial Development Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs (IDA) and implemented by the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI), took place on June 24 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2. This year’s competition drew 107 companies with 235 entries across bakery, prepared foods and specialty food categories. Following a rigorous review by experts from industry, academia and the marketplace, 89 products were recognized, including 17 recipients of the program’s highest honor, the FUN FOOD TAIWAN Award. Together, these award-winning products reflect the Taiwan food industry’s continued commitment to product innovation, sustainability and enhanced consumer experiences.

As food manufacturers respond to shifting global supply chains, the transition toward net-zero emissions and rapidly changing consumer preferences, companies are placing greater emphasis on innovation to remain competitive. To help companies adapt, the IDA launched FUN FOOD TAIWAN, encouraging companies to innovate, embrace sustainable practices and build brands that stand out in international markets.

Since its launch in 2020, FUN FOOD TAIWAN has continued to identify and promote products with strong market potential while encouraging the industry to move toward higher-value and more differentiated development. During its first phase (2020-2024), the initiative focused on three themes – Clean Label & High Value, Design & Experience, and Convenience & Sustainability – and attracted 1,049 entries, with 384 products receiving awards.

In 2025, the program entered a new stage with the launch of FUN FOOD TAIWAN 2.0, shifting its focus to Product Evolution, Carbon Reduction, and Enhanced Consumer Experience. The updated framework encourages companies to respond to evolving market trends by advancing product innovation, sustainable manufacturing, and consumer-centered design.

This year’s award-winning products clearly reflect the three core values of FUN FOOD TAIWAN 2.0. In the bakery category, Joy Joy Golden’s Gold Award-winning “Assorted Rice Cracker Gift Tin” reimagines Taiwan’s rice culture through contemporary design, creating a distinctive consumer experience. Lady Dou’s Gold Award-winning “Roasted Protein Lump – Soy Sauce” demonstrates how innovative, protein-rich products are meeting growing consumer demand for healthier diets while reflecting the industry’s continued strength in research and development (R&D). Meanwhile, Sooko’s Gold Award-winning “Sooko Peeled Citrus Crisps (100% Real Fruit)” combines energy-efficient drying technology with thoughtful brand design, demonstrating how product innovation, sustainable technology, and brand building can work together to create greater market value.

Over the past several years, FUN FOOD TAIWAN has evolved into an important platform for helping Taiwan’s food industry upgrade its capabilities and expand internationally. By supporting award-winning and participating companies at major international exhibitions, including FOODEX JAPAN and Anuga, the program has helped businesses strengthen brand visibility, expand their international distribution channels, and expand into markets across Northern Europe, Southeast Asia, North America, and Australia. Some participating companies have also reported domestic sales growth of 10 to 20 percent, demonstrating the program’s tangible impact on both industrial competitiveness and international market expansion.

Looking ahead, the IDA will continue to build on the success of FUN FOOD TAIWAN by strengthening connections across the food industry, distribution channels and international markets. Through this initiative, the IDA will support companies in creating higher-value products, building stronger brands and expanding their global reach, further strengthening the global competitiveness of Taiwan’s food industry.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) presents three editions of the programme series “Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks” in 2026. The second edition will screen six pivotal films selected by director Andrew Lau from his own career at the Cinema of the HKFA on September 5 and 6. Andrew Lau will also attend post-screening talks with film critic Thomas Shin or director Benny Lau to look back on his legendary filmmaking journey with audiences.
 
     Joining the Shaw Brothers in 1981 as a production assistant, Andrew Lau constantly observed different directors at work on set, studying lighting design and cinematography techniques. At the same time, he watched large quantities of film rushes, read books on cinematography. He continuously introduced and experimented with new shooting methods and techniques, thus rose in a short period to become a widely recognised outstanding cinematographer in the industry. In 1990, Andrew Lau directed his first feature film, formally establishing his dual identity as both director and cinematographer. He cemented his status as a leading commercial film director with the “Young and Dangerous” series in the late 1990s. Thereafter, he actively expanded into markets beyond Hong Kong, directing films such as “Daisy” (2006) in Korea and “The Founding of an Army” (2017) on the Chinese Mainland, continuing to create popular works with exceptional craftsmanship and innovative spirit.
 
     “Legendary Weapons of China” (1982), the first film in which Andrew Lau participated in its production, was directed and written by Lau Kar-leung. In the film, the three factions supported by the Boxers often battle one another, with its action sequences interspersed with numerous fantastical combat scenes. The main character, Lui Gung, played by Lau Kar-leung, is hunted by the Boxers and has to fight against his brother Lui Yung in a showdown in which they wield different kinds of Chinese weapons, and defeats all opponents with his authentic kung fu in the end.
 
     The classic kung fu comedy “Mr. Vampire” (1985) was Andrew Lau’s breakthrough work as a cinematographer. The story follows a Taoist priest in repeated fierce battles against a vampire while his apprentice falls in love with a female ghost. In the scene where the female ghost floats from a sedan chair onto the young man’s bicycle, Andrew Lau used over a hundred lights to illuminate the entire forest, combined with slow-motion photography and wire work, to visually create a beautiful and romantic atmosphere for this human-ghost romance.
 
     “City On Fire” (1987) tells the story of an undercover cop played by Chow Yun-fat who infiltrates a criminal gang and, in the process, develops a subtle bond of mutual respect with a gangster, played by Danny Lee. The film was directed by Ringo Lam, who, determined to innovate, clicked perfectly with Andrew Lau’s unconventional approach to cinematography. From street shoots that tested their improvisation skills and extensive handheld camera work, to capturing colourful neon lights on high-speed film, Andrew Lau used his technique and sheer grit to inject a raw, urban vitality into the film.
 
     Directed by Wong Kar-wai, “As Tears Go By” (1988) tells the story of triad member Wah, played by Andy Lau, who, in order to save his sworn brother Fly, played by Jacky Cheung, is ultimately unable to end up with Ngor, played by Maggie Cheung. As cinematographer, Andrew Lau employed a more mature style and more layered imagery, capturing vividly the atmosphere of killing amid the city’s neon lights, and the tranquil and romantic moments shared by Wah and Ngor away from the chaos of the outside world.
 
     Directed by Andrew Lau, “Young and Dangerous 3” (1996) is the third instalment in the film franchise. While the central plot revolves around triad rivalries, as the protagonist Chan Ho-nam inherits the territory of his predecessor, the story deliberately weaves in moral parables, reaffirming values such as respect for hierarchy and the triad codes of honour. Andrew Lau demonstrated highly efficient on-set direction when making the third instalment, deftly managing large group scenes and the dramatic tension of major set pieces at the same time, showing that his directorial skills had reached a high level of maturity.  
 
     Adapted from a comic series, “The Stormriders” (1998) chronicles the grievances and ultimate showdown between Wind, played by Ekin Cheng, Cloud, played by Aaron Kwok, and their master Lord Conqueror. The film marked Andrew Lau’s first use of computer-generated imagery as a director. While exploring the technology, he repeatedly discussed character and scene designs with animation technicians, personally handling every detail. Drawing on his deep experience as a cinematographer, Andrew Lau successfully used computer-generated imagery to elevate the visuals of the original comic, establishing an important milestone for Hong Kong special-effects cinema.

     Tickets priced at $60 will be available from August 7 (Friday) at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme details, please call 2739 2139 or visit the HKFA website at www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/andrew-lau-wai-keung/pe-event-2026-andrew-lau-wai-keung.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Mainly attributable to the rain associated with broad troughs of low pressure, the active southerly airstream and tropical cyclones Maysak and Noul, the weather of Hong Kong was much gloomier and wetter than usual in July 2026. The total sunshine duration in the month was 122.2 hours, about 38 per cent below the normal of 197.3 hours, and was the lowest on record for July. The mean amount of cloud in the month was 81 per cent, nine percentage points above the normal of 72 per cent and one of the second highest on record for July. The total rainfall recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters in the month was 790.3 millimetres, more than double the July normal of 385.8 millimetres and the second highest on record for July. The accumulated rainfall in the first seven months of the year was 1 977.6 millimetres, about 35 per cent above the normal of 1 468.2 millimetres and the ninth highest on record for the same period. The monthly mean temperature for July 2026 was 28.7 degrees, close to the normal of 28.9 degrees.

     Dominated by the subtropical ridge, apart from a few showers, local weather was mainly fine and very hot on the first day of the month. Meanwhile, Maysak formed as a tropical depression over the central part of the South China Sea in the morning and then tracked towards Hainan Island. The Observatory issued the Standby Signal No. 1 in the morning of July 2, the first tropical cyclone warning signal of the year. Maysak skirted past Hainan the next day and intensified into a severe tropical storm over Beibu Wan on July 4. Maysak moved into inland of Guangxi on July 5 and weakened gradually. While local weather was hot with sunny periods on July 2, there were also a few squally showers and thunderstorms, with more showers at night. Around 10 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over parts of the territory. Under the combined effect of Maysak and the ridge of high pressure over southeastern China, local winds were occasionally strong offshore and up to gale force on parts of high ground from July 3 to 4. The outer rainbands of Maysak also brought occasional squally showers and severe squally thunderstorms on these two days. Violent gusts of about 100 and 90 kilometres per hour associated with severe squally thunderstorms were once recorded at Green Island and Star Ferry respectively. More than 40 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places, and rainfall even exceeded 80 millimetres over parts of Lantau Island on these two days.      
     Under the influence of a broad trough of low pressure, local weather was cloudy with occasional heavy showers and squally thunderstorms on the last five days of the month. More than 150 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over most parts of the territory, and rainfall even exceeded 250 millimetres over parts of Hong Kong Island on these five days. In the midst of the downpour, the temperature at the Observatory dropped to a minimum of 23.9 degrees on the last day of the month, the lowest of the month.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Transport Department (TD) today (August 4) announced that the auction of vehicle registration marks will be held on August 22 (Saturday) at Meeting Room S421, L4, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     “A total of 100 personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be put up for public auction in the morning session, and 220 traditional vehicle registration marks (TVRMs) will be put up for auction in the afternoon session. The lists of marks have been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. Any bidder who wishes to bid for both TVRMs and PVRMs on the same day, should bring along at least two crossed cheques for payment of auction prices (for an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed). Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
 
     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
 
     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 4) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/beach_quality/forecast_system.html), the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index for Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District is 4, which means the predicted water quality at these beaches is “Very Poor” due to potential transient water quality fluctuations caused by heavy rain. Red flags have been hoisted, and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region