Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 5) and seized a total of about 6.1 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million and about 3.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $3 million.

The first case involved a foreign male passenger, aged 27, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 6.1kg of suspected cannabis buds inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a 50-year-old local female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, yesterday. Customs officers seized about 3.7kg of suspected cocaine from her check-in suitcase during customs clearance. She was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (July 7).

The second case is still under investigation.

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 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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation:

     The Model PECC-cum-Award Presentation Ceremony for the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (HKCPEC) Youth Programme (Youth Programme) 2024/2025 – “Model PECC – Innovating through Youth Voices”, co-organised by the HKCPEC and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) Leadership Institute, was successfully held today (July 6) at the HKFYG Leadership Institute in Fanling. The Chairman of the HKCPEC, Professor Tam Kar-yan, and the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Aaron Liu, were the officiating guests at the Award Presentation Ceremony.

     In his opening remarks, Professor Tam depicted that this year marked the tenth edition of Youth Programme held by the HKCPEC. This year’s Programme enabled students to engage in discussions on issues related to economic development in the Asia-Pacific region in a model Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) meeting setting, as well as motivating them to think creatively and contribute meaningfully to regional economic co-operation dialogues. 

In his speech, Mr Liu expressed his appreciation for HKCPEC to continue organising the Youth Programme this year, as youth development is one of the priorities of the current term Government. Against the backdrop of a complicated and ever-changing global economic landscape, the Programme provided an opportunity for the younger generation in Hong Kong to deepen their understanding on issues in regional economic co-operation. He also encouraged the students to seize the opportunity to participate in the activities relating to regional economic co-operation in preparation for their future development in the society.

     The theme of this year’s Youth Programme is “Model PECC – Innovating through Youth Voices”, which attracted over 190 secondary students in 74 teams from 46 secondary schools to take part. Participating secondary school students took part in a series of nurturing activities since March, including seminars, workshops and a 24-hour case study, to deepen their understanding on regional economic development and co-operation. In the Model PECC held yesterday (July 5) and today, each of the 11 shortlisted teams was assigned to represent one of the PECC Member Committees to conduct research and develop policy recommendations on a designated topic, and to present their findings and policy recommendations under a simulated setting of PECC Meeting.

The team formed by Valerie Shek from the Independent Schools Foundation Academy, Adrian Wong and Nika Zhang from Hong Kong International School was awarded the Champion of the competition whereas team from SKH Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School was the first runner-up. Two teams from Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section) and Pui Ching Middle School were awarded the second runners-up. Adrian Wong from Hong Kong International School, Ling Man Yin from Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section) and Yu Ka Yu from Wa Ying College were awarded the Best Speakers Awards.

     The HKCPEC Youth Programme aims at advancing young people’s understanding on regional economic development as well as the role and contributions of Hong Kong in economic and trade development in the Asia-Pacific region; and broadening their knowledge, developing their analytical skills and encouraging their strategic thinking in the process.

     The HKCPEC (www.hkcpec.org) was established in March 1990 to co-ordinate Hong Kong, China’s participation in the PECC. In line with the nature of the PECC, the composition of the HKCPEC is tripartite, comprising members from the Government, the business sector and academia.

     The PECC is a non-governmental organisation set up in 1980 to develop closer co-operation in trade and economic issues among economies in the region. Currently, the PECC has 24 member committees, of which 21 are full members. For details, please visit the PECC’s website at www.pecc.org.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, Customs YES organised a summer cultural and historical study tour to Beijing from July 2 to 6. Fifty members of the Foot Drill and Flag Party of the Customs Youth Leader Corps joined the tour to explore the country’s history, culture, development, and achievements.
 
    In the early morning of July 3, the Deputy Commissioner (Control and Enforcement) of Customs and Excise, Mr Mark Woo, along with members of the Executive Committee and the Honorary Presidents’ Association of Customs YES, led the delegation to witness the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square. They later interacted with the National Flag Guard Unit of People’s Liberation Army Ceremonial Escort Battalion to learn about professional ceremonial standards and flag-guarding etiquette.
 
    On the same day, the delegation visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China to understand the history of martyrs uniting against the enemy to protect the country. Afterwards, the members visited the Beijing Shichahai Sports School, where they interacted with national badminton athletes, Ms Huang Yaqiong and Mr Liu Yuchen.
 
    On July 4 and 5, the delegation visited the China Academy of Aerospace Electronics Technology to learn about the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, and to discover the country’s achievements in fields such as manned spaceflight, lunar and mars exploration and unmanned aircraft system. In addition, they visited the Juyongguan Great Wall to learn about its significant military and historical value. At the Palace Museum and the China Customs Museum, the participants had the opportunity to study the country’s history and culture, as well as the development of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.
 
    On the last day of the trip (July 6), the delegation toured POP Land to gain insights into successful experiences in cultural and creative industries and the importance of protecting intellectual property rights.
 
    During the tour, the delegation explored several Beijing landmarks, including Qianmen Street, and the scenic avenue outside the Water Cube and the National Stadium.
 
    This study tour received partial funding from the Home Affairs and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Youth Development Commission. It is also one of the annual activities of the Tour to the Motherland for a Hundred Youth organised by Hong Kong Customs during the summer holiday. Looking ahead, Customs YES will organise more exchange activities to promote youth development and nurture a new generation with a sense of national identity and national pride.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will depart tomorrow morning (July 8) to visit Seoul, Korea.

     During his stay in Seoul, Mr Chan will hold multiple meetings with representatives from local institutional investors, financial institutions, fund industry, the venture capital sector and the digital asset community. He will also attend a seminar on the capital markets of Hong Kong and Korea, where he will brief the Korean financial sector on the latest developments in Hong Kong’s capital market and promote deeper co-operation between the two places in related areas.

     He will also join a business luncheon cohosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. At the event, Mr Chan will highlight Hong Kong’s business advantages to representatives from Korea’s financial, industrial and commercial, innovation and technology sectors, among others. In particular, he will expand on Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, and how it can help Korean businesses expand into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as the broader Mainland and international markets to explore new business opportunities.

     While in Seoul, Mr Chan will also pay visits to representatives of the Bank of Korea – the central bank of Korea, financial regulatory bodies and investment agencies. He will also visit local innovation and technology enterprises as well as innovative research and development institutions.

     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong in the evening of July 10. During his absence, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, will be the Acting Financial Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Instrumental Music Training Scheme, organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, is now recruiting beginners for its 2025-26 Elementary Year 1 courses. Children and youths aged between 6 and 14 with no instrumental experience with the selected instruments are welcome to apply. The deadline for applications is August 4.
 
     The scheme provides training in almost 30 Chinese and Western musical instruments including erhu, pipa, suona, sheng, zhongruan, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, French horn, trombone, euphonium, violin, viola, cello, double bass and others, with supplementary training in musicianship and theory for children and youths to develop their interest and potential in music.
 
     One-hour group lessons are conducted weekly in Cantonese at the Music Office’s five music centres in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan. An annual tuition fee of $2,394 for the first year and $2,926 for the second year are payable in four instalments. A fee remission scheme is available for trainees in need of financial assistance.
 
     Interested persons can visit the Music Office website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/training/instrumentalmusictrainingscheme.html) for more details and application submission. Course pamphlets and application forms are also available at all Music Office’s music centres. Applicants who meet the age requirement will be invited to attend a music aptitude test and an interview on August 24. They will be notified of the results in October and the training will commence in November.
 
     For enquiries, please call the Music Office’s music centres at 2802 0657 (Wan Chai), 2796 2893 (Kwun Tong), 2399 2200 (Mong Kok), 2158 6462 (Sha Tin) and 2417 6429 (Tsuen Wan).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan will depart for a visit to Seoul, Korea, tomorrow and return to Hong Kong on Thursday.

While there, Mr Chan will hold meetings with representatives from institutional investors, financial institutions, the fund industry, the venture capital sector and the digital asset community.

Additionally, he plans to attend a seminar on their respective capital markets to brief the Korean financial sector on the latest developments in Hong Kong’s capital market and promote deeper co-operation between the two places in related areas.

While joining a business luncheon cohosted by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Tokyo and the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr Chan will highlight Hong Kong’s business advantages to Korea’s financial, industrial and commercial, innovation and technology sectors, etc.

In particular, he will elaborate on Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, and how it can assist Korean businesses to expand into the Greater Bay Area, the Mainland and international markets.

As part of his agenda, the Financial Secretary will also meet representatives of the Bank of Korea, which is the central bank of the country, and tour innovation and technology enterprises as well as innovative research and development institutions.

 During Mr Chan’s absence, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will be Acting Financial Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) today launched a subsidy scheme to help mobile network operators (MNOs) install radio base stations (RBSs) in country parks, outlying islands and other rural and remote areas.

Under the Subsidy Scheme to Extend 5G Coverage in Rural & Remote Areas, participating MNOs will install approximately 50 new subsidised RBSs in these areas to enhance mobile network coverage and capacity.

The OFCA anticipates that once the new RBSs are completed and activated, mobile network coverage of country parks in Hong Kong will increase to at least 90%, while coverage along major government hiking trails will reach 98% or above.

It added that the subsidy scheme will enhance network coverage in the surrounding areas and benefit some 70 villages located in the vicinity of the proposed RBSs, enabling residents, citizens and tourists to enjoy higher-quality mobile network services, and also facilitating the development of smart tourism.

Interested licensed MNOs are welcome to submit applications.

Click here for details of the scheme. Call 2961 6333 for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 6) and today (July 7) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 15 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 2kg of suspected heroin with a total estimated market value of about $4.2 million.

The first case involved a 27-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 15kg of suspected cannabis buds and a grinder containing traces of suspected cannabis buds concealed in his two check-in suitcases and carry-on rucksack. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a 30-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected heroin, weighing about 2kg, concealed inside some packaging of drink powder in her carry-on luggage. The woman was subsequently arrested. 

After an investigation, the arrested man of the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of a dangerous drug. The arrested woman of the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (July 8).

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 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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region