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CAD updates regulations on air passengers carrying lithium battery power banks to further enhance aviation safety
According to the latest requirements, in addition to complying with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s relevant regulations on the carriage of items by passengers onboard, starting from April 7, local airlines should not allow their passengers to use power banks to charge other portable electronic devices and/or recharge power banks during flight. Stowage of power banks in the overhead compartments is also prohibited with the same effective date.
For any queries, passengers are advised to check with relevant airlines on the latest regulations before their flight.
The CAD will continue to maintain close communication with relevant parties and actively follow up on the implementation of these new regulations.
Issued at HKT 19:06
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Import of poultry meat and products from areas in UK and US suspended
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​The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (March 24) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Highland of Scotland in the United Kingdom (UK) and Union County of the State of New Jersey in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas, as well as from Essex County, Morris County, Somerset County and Middlesex County of the State of New Jersey adjacent to Union County, with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 910 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 1.34 million poultry eggs from the UK; and about 79 630 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 19.6 million poultry eggs from the US last year.
“The CFS has contacted the British and American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case involving suspected scheduled dried shark fins, electronic products and cigars by fishing vessel (with photos)
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Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case involving suspected scheduled dried shark fins, electronic products and cigars by fishing vessel
Customs mounted an anti-smuggling operation in Tuen Mun that night and spotted a suspicious fishing vessel berthing at a shore where suspected smuggling activities have taken place. Later, the vessel left Tuen Mun and headed towards the waters west of Hong Kong. Customs officers later intercepted the vessel near the waters around Tai O for inspection and found the batch of suspected smuggled goods inside a hidden compartment on the vessel.
During the operation, four male crew members aged between 31 and 53, who were suspected to be connected with the case, were arrested.
They were charged with one count of attempting to export unmanifested cargoes. They will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (March 25).
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 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.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
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).
Issued at HKT 18:15
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Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to Chong Hing Bank Limited
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Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to Chong Hing Bank Limited
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Issued at HKT 17:20
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Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen related to Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited
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Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen related to Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website or login screen concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Issued at HKT 17:18
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Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to The Bank of East Asia, Limited
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Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to The Bank of East Asia, Limited
The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Issued at HKT 17:18
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PRESS RELEASE FROM THE MINISTRY OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET- 13th February 2025.
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The Ministry is aware that a fabricated email dated 11 February 2025 is being circulated on Facebook supposedly from the Honourable Prime Minister and addressed to FAST Party Members.
The Prime Minister and her Office have no connection to the fabricated email and disavow the views and sentiments expressed in it. All official statements from the Office of the Prime Minister are circulated through the Government Press Secretariat. And no such statement was issued.
The Ministry advises that the Facebook post is misleading and misrepresents the Office of the Prime Minister and the Government of Samoa. Further, the views expressed in the fabricated email can be considered defamatory and harmful to the Members of Parliament from FAST Party.
We urge the public to be responsible and respectful with the views they share on the various social media platforms. We respectfully ask the public to refrain from sharing or posting misleading information for the safety of those who are/will be affected.
The Ministry also cautions the general public that it is an offence to dishonestly impersonate another person with the intent to cause disadvantage to the person affected and to publish false information about a person to cause harm to that person’s reputation.
It is also an offence to incite hostility by publishing anything with the intention of undermining the authority of the Government in circumstances where there is a present risk of lawlessness, violence or disorder.
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER- 11th February 2025.
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[GOVT. PRESS SECRETARIAT]- The Government of Samoa has requested official information from the Solomon Islands Attorney General’s Office on the circumstances surrounding the stop order preventing Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt from departing Honiara.
Through the Prime Minister’s Office, support is arranged to ensure legal representation for Leiataualesa is available while awaiting official details from Honiara.
Leiataualesa was returning home after the Miss Pacific Pageant where he served as one of the five judges.
He was stopped at the airport.
We will keep you posted as more details are available.
JOINT PRESS RELEASE- Agreement between the Government of Samoa and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Mutual Visa Exemption
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[PRESS RELEASE]- The Government of the Independent State of Samoa and the Government of the People’s Republic of China has reaffirmed its joint commitment and partnership to strengthen relations and cooperation between both countries and to facilitate exchange of visits between citizens of both countries including promotion of people to people linkages and sub-national cooperation.
An Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption was signed today (23rd January 2025) between the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Agafili Shem Leo and the Chinese Ambassador to Samoa His Excellency Mr Fei Mingxing during the celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival. On conclusion of the signing, the Prime Minister of Samoa, Honourable Fiame Naomi Mataafa delivered a few remarks followed by an Address by His Excellency Ambassador Fei . Both the Hon Prime Minister and Ambassador acknowledged that the visa exemption arrangement would benefit both countries substantially through ease of international travel. It was further recognized that this important development would also align with this year’s 50th Anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1975.
The Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption was one of the discussion issues at the bilateral meeting between the Honorable Prime Minister of Samoa and the President of the People’s Republic of China His Excellency Xi Jinping during the Prime Minister’s official visit to China from 20-28 November last year.
Aside from the Mutual Visa Exemption, the culmination of the Bilateral Meetings between the Hon Prime Minister and the Chinese Leaders included the signing of the:
• Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement
• MOU on Exchange and Cooperation in the field of Economic Development
• MOU on Establishing a Working Group on Promoting Unimpeded Trade
• MOU on the Global Development Initiative
• MOU on Education Collaboration and Exchanges
• Handover Certificate for the Fingerprint Testing Laboratory
The collaborative efforts and cooperation between the Governments of Samoa and China illustrate a shared commitment and mutual trust to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Government of Samoa and the Government of the People’s Republic of China will continue to pursue greater collaboration that will deliver on joint interests and agreed commitments to address key national development priorities that are in line with the Pathway for the Development of Samoa, and for the benefit of our two Peoples.
CAPTION- An Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption was signed today (23rd January 2025) between the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Agafili Shem Leo and the Chinese Ambassador to Samoa His Excellency Mr Fei Mingxing during the celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Government of Samoa.
Remarks by the Prime Minister, Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa at the Reception for the commemoration of Australia Day. High Commissioner’s Residence Tiapapata. 13th February 2025.
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Rev Siaosi Salesulu
Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo
Members of the Council of Deputies
Cabinet Ministers
Chief Justice and the Judiciary
Speaker of the House
Leader of the Opposition
Members of Parliament
High Commissioner of Australia, Your Excellency William Carter Robinson,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Ladies & Gentlemen
Talofa and a pleasant good evening,
I am delighted to join your company at the reception this evening to commemorate Australia Day. On behalf of the Government and the People of Samoa, I convey through you, Excellency Robinson, High Commissioner of Australia to Samoa, our warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Government and People of Australia on the celebration of the anniversary of Australia Day.
Once again we are here to celebrate when Australia became its own
nation and to reflect on its journey throughout the years, We have seen the growth of its diverse population against a tapestry of history rich in various cultures and traditions; its international relations and global partner standing as well as its role as a development partner to its Pacific neighbourhood.
This year marks fifty-five years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Samoa and Australia in 1971. It is a seasoned partnership, underpinned by respect for each other’s sovereignty, shared values and goals for development as well as our shared stewardship of our Blue Pacific continent as members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Our Bilateral Partnership Arrangement signed in 2003 “Ole Fala
Folasia i lo ta Va” (The Map that guides Us) is the blueprint for our
engagement throughout the vast scope of our cooperation. Our focused priority areas for cooperation include climate and disaster resilience, security cooperation, economic growth and partnerships, human and social development and our people-to-people links; in support of Samoa’s aspirations and priorities as outlined in the “Pathway for the Development of Samoa.”
The TAUTAI and TAUTUA flagship partnerships continue to deliver
economic and human development competencies tailored to our emerging needs. Agreed operational processes are aligned to country systems that emphasize sustainability, contextually tailored capabilities and nationally led ownership. Labour mobility schemes have been proven mutually beneficial to both countries; however, some disadvantages have emerged which have called for a review of such schemes thus ensuring a robust policy framework that is responsive to the constraints.
I would like to acknowledge the prominence we place on the Samoa Australia Police Partnership as reflected in the significant support in capacity building and security arrangements leading up to and during Samoa’s hosting of a successful CHOGM last year with the cooperation of all its development partners including Australia.
Our shared commitment in ensuring the development and prosperity of our Blue Pacific region strengthens our regional engagement despite the growing geopolitical tensions that can undermine the unity and solidarity of the region. The security context has grown to incorporate the existential threat of climate change, transnational crime, human security threat, food security, geopolitical tensions and more recently cybersecurity to mention a few. We thank Australia for its assistance through the crucial capacity building programmes in the region on cybersecurity so that we are not continuously marginalised in such areas.
Notwithstanding the different outlooks and discourses on politics and security, we would like to reiterate our stance of being part of a Blue Pacific continent that is free from military competition and presence and one that is characterised by peace as our contribution to world order
I thank the Government of Australia for the multifaceted support and assistance delivered through the Samoa Australia partnership including budget support that provides a boost in progressing our sustainable development. We also acknowledge the trust and understanding of the Government of Australia and our other development partners in the use of country systems reflected in the extension of budget support under the Joint Policy Action Matrix.
We look forward to further strengthening our partnership as we do with all our development partners and close engagement in initiatives that will further support regional unity, growth and stability.
To conclude, Ladies and Gentlemen, I respectfully invite you all to raise your glasses and join me in proposing a toast:
“To the enduring and meaningful Samoa-Australia relations.
Happy Australia Day.”
Ia manuia!
Photo by the Government of Samoa (Peseta Tusiga Taofiga)