Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs on March 25 detected a suspected air freight gold bullion smuggling case, and seized about 145 kilograms of suspected gold bullion with an estimated market value of about $110 million, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). This is the largest gold bullion smuggling case detected by Customs on record in terms of the seizure volume and market value.

Based on risk assessment, Customs on that day examined an outbound air cargo consignment, declared as carrying plastic luggage departing for Japan, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found a batch of luggage in 14 carton boxes, and a total of about 145kg of suspected smuggled gold bullion concealed therein.

An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

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.
​
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

The Registered Contractors’ Disciplinary Board (the Board) has completed a disciplinary inquiry under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) and decided that a registered minor works contractor (RMWC) appointed as a qualified person (QP) under the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme (MWIS) should be disciplined for failing to discharge the duties or abide by the requirements imposed on a QP under the BO. 

The Board ordered the RMWC to be prohibited from certifying any prescribed inspection, or certifying or supervising any prescribed repair of windows, for six months with effect from the date of the Gazette, and to pay a total of $43,400, being the costs of the Board and the Buildings Department (BD) for conducting the inquiry. 

The Board’s written decision and order issued on March 14 was published in the Gazette today (March 28). Details are available at the following link: www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20252913/egn202529131789.pdf.

The RMWC submitted a certificate to the BD in April 2021, certifying that a prescribed inspection had been carried out to the windows of a residential unit in Tuen Mun, and that those windows were safe and no prescribed repair was required. Subsequently, the BD conducted an investigation in response to a report and found that the rivets of some windows showed greyish white power or rust. 

The RMWC was later prosecuted, convicted and fined $9,000 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts in May 2022, pursuant to sections 40(2B)(b) of the BO, for having carried out a prescribed inspection in a manner likely to cause a risk of personal injury or property damage. 

In view of the convictions and investigation results, the BD notified the Board for its consideration of disciplinary action against the RMWC under the provisions of section 13(1) of the BO. 

A spokesperson for the BD reiterated that in order to ensure building safety, the BD attaches great importance to the quality of the prescribed inspection and repair of windows by a QP under the MWIS. Any QP who contravenes the relevant provisions of the BO in carrying out a prescribed inspection and repair of windows under the MWIS is not only liable to criminal prosecution but also disciplinary action under the BO. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

On March 28, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, resulting in serious casualties and infrastructure damage. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government expresses its deep sympathy to the people affected by the disaster and families of the deceased. The HKSAR Government sent a 51-strong search and rescue team to the quake-stricken areas in Myanmar this afternoon (March 29) to assist in the search and rescue work. In addition, the HKSAR Government has immediately reserved $30 million from the Disaster Relief Fund for emergency relief support.

The HKSAR Government is maintaining close contact with various rescue organisations regarding the detailed relief programmes with a view to providing appropriate relief assistance to the people affected and help them overcome difficulties and resume a normal life as soon as possible. The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee will promptly process related funding applications from organisations.

In addition, the HKSAR Government has liaised with the Consul-General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, and will actively coordinate with various government bureaux/departments to collect the necessary relief supplies according to local needs, striving to deliver them to those in need as soon as possible to meet the current urgency.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary cold shelters in various districts today (March 29) for people in need of the service. The temporary shelters will remain open when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.
 
Clean mattresses and blankets/quilts, hot meals and hot water will be provided to shelter users free of charge during the opening of the temporary shelters.
 
To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.
 
Anyone seeking temporary refuge, or those with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters, may call the department’s hotline 2572 8427 for more information.
 
The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
——————–
 
Central and Western:
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern:
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern:
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon:
——————
 
Kowloon City:
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong:
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin:
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong:
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories:
—————-
 
Islands:
Tung Chung Community Hall 
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing:
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung
 
North:
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung:
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin:
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po:
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan:
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun:
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long:
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
    The spokesperson for Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) made the following appeal today (March 29) regarding a patient leaving the ward without notifying hospital staff:
 
A 47-year-old male patient in a Cardiothoracic Surgery ward of QMH was found leaving the ward without prior notification at around 3.50pm. Security guards were immediately deployed to search for the patient within the hospital compound and the vicinity but in vain. The hospital is very concerned about the incident and has immediately informed the patient’s family and reported to the Police for assistance.
 
The patient is about 1.82 metres tall, with a tall and medium body build and short black hair. He was wearing patient clothes, a grey jacket and a pair of rimless glasses when leaving the ward.

The hospital appeals to the public to contact Western Police Station at 3661 1618 if they know the whereabouts of the patient.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The global video game industry is highly competitive, requiring effective marketing for success. The Hong Kong Game Enhancement & Promotion Scheme supports local startups, some achieving over $10 million in revenue, leading to impressive outcomes.

Gaming dreams
From a young age, Chris Choi has had a passion for programming and dedicated himself to developing a mobile music game while studying.

His first game is a mobile rhythm experience where players tap along to the beat. However, unlike most traditional mobile rhythm games, this one is motion-based, requiring players to spin their phones in the air to play. This innovative approach adds a physical element to the gameplay, making it more engaging and dynamic.

By chance, the game’s promotional video was uploaded to a Mainland video platform. Within a week, it had garnered 500,000 views and received positive feedback.

Inspired by this success, he decided to pursue a career in the electronic gaming industry.

With little work and business experience under his belt, Mr Choi ultimately leveraged his strengths in game design to secure a grant of $550,000 from the Hong Kong Game Enhancement & Promotion Scheme for marketing purposes. He used the funding to collaborate with various music labels, resulting in great success.

Global sensation

The game has attracted a significant number of players from the Mainland, Hong Kong, as well as Japan, Europe and the US, with downloads exceeding one million and revenue surpassing $10 million.

Mr Choi pointed out that the scheme helped him to grow his business. At the company’s inception, he had limited startup capital and experience. Through the programme, not only did he secure funding, but also gained valuable knowledge in marketing and promotion, which increased the likelihood of his game’s success.

Lucrative market
As the Chinese gaming industry continues to mature, some local game developers are also seizing the opportunity to tap into this booming market.  

One of them, video game producer Jacky Chou, whose game is also subsidised by the scheme, is creating a comedy-adventure computer game that showcases the unique elements of Hong Kong’s culture.

“It is actually an adventure game that is heavily inspired by pop culture. It is a very funny, nonsense adventure game with a lot of different game plays and mechanics,” he explained.

Mr Chou added that the scheme not only helped with arranging game testers to provide feedback on how they could improve the game but also offered a diverse range of training, including guidance on marketing strategies and attracting investors.

He also utilised the funding to collaborate with key opinion leaders for extensive advertising campaigns, as well as to promote the game offline at various exhibitions.

Supporting startups
The 4th Hong Kong Game Enhancement & Promotion Scheme, sponsored by the Cultural & Creative Industries Development Agency, recently held its awards ceremony.

The organiser, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, announced that 12 local startup game companies had been awarded reimbursement grants ranging from $450,000 to $550,000.

The association’s Chairman Gabriel Pang noted that each year the scheme has seen good results, with about one-third of the companies being profitable and one out of 12 companies usually getting over $10 million in revenue, most of the time with 500,000 to one million downloads.  

“The game industry is actually a huge industry. That is why we are doing the Hong Kong Game Enhancement & Promotion Scheme. We need to help them to market their games.

“Usually in Hong Kong, we have a more diverse style. We can cope with different countries and cultures. That is one of our strengths.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today sent a 51-strong team to Myanmar to assist in the search and rescue work in the earthquake-stricken areas.
 
Chief Executive John Lee saw the search and rescue team off at Hong Kong International Airport.
 
Led by Fire Services Department (FSD) Deputy Chief Fire Officer Cheu Yu-kok, the team comprises 40 FSD staff members, and officers from the Security Bureau, the Immigration Department and the Hospital Authority (HA).
 
Apart from two search and rescue dogs, the team is also taking around nine tonnes of equipment, including life detectors and masonry cutting machines, an automatic satellite tracking antenna system for network connection, and team members’ daily necessities.
 
Upon their arrival in Myanmar, the team will join local rescue teams to start search and rescue work.
 
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok, Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung, and HA Chief Executive Dr Tony Ko were also present at the airport to show their support for the team.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament made its debut at the new Kai Tak Stadium yesterday, with the three-day event kicking off in style.

The opening ceremony featured an innovative laser show, incorporating iconic Hong Kong elements and classic scenes from past tournaments, with lights and music amplifying the excitement.

In addition to the fast-paced sporting action on the field, fans dressed in colourful costumes around the stadium added to the spectacle.

The Hong Kong Sevens is part of the Hong Kong Super March campaign, with the city hosting a series of mega events all throughout this month. Over the course of the tournament, spectators from far and wide are being offered an unforgettable experience that combines world-class rugby with live performances by bands, cheerleaders and other artists, a vibrant Fan Village, and more.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak will depart for Zhengzhou, Henan Province, tomorrow to attend the Ancestor Worship Ceremony of the Yellow Emperor in the Year of Yisi.
 
Additionally, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Raistlin Lau will join them to attend the event on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
 
The officials will return to Hong Kong on March 31.
 
During the absence of Mr Yau and Miss Mak, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan and Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung will be Acting Secretary respectively.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (March 28) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in West Godavari District, East Godavari District and Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh State in India, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry eggs from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with India for the import of poultry eggs but not for poultry meat. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no eggs were imported into Hong Kong from India last year.

     “The CFS has contacted the Indian authority over the issue 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.