Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case involving river trade vessel with goods worth about $56 million seized (with photo)
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, the 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 a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected pharmaceutical products, cosmetic injections, tobacco products, e-cigarette cartridges, watches, mobile phones, tablets and clothing.
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.hkIssued at HKT 13:00
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Hong Kong Customs detects suspected illicit cigarette distribution case in Yau Tong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs detects suspected illicit cigarette distribution case in Yau Tong (with photo)
Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Yau Tong last night and intercepted a lorry parked on the roadside near a carpark of a shopping mall. Upon inspection, the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes was found inside the lorry, and a 41-year-old man, who claimed to be a transportation worker, was arrested. The lorry was also detained.
The case is still under investigation. The arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who 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.hkIssued at HKT 16:30
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Speech by SFST at Listing Ceremony of Hang Seng Gold ETF (English Only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the Listing Ceremony of Hang Seng Gold ETF (exchange-traded fund) today (January 29):
Kelvin (Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission, Dr Kelvin Wong), Luanne (Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, Ms Luanne Lim), Rosita (Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hang Seng Investment Management Limited, Ms Rosita Lee), ladies and gentlemen, and distinguished guests,
Good morning. It is a great privilege to address you today as we mark a pivotal new chapter in Hong Kong’s financial market. With our determined efforts to position the city as a premier international gold trading hub, as indicated by the Chief Executive’s Policy Address, the listing of the Hang Seng Gold ETF represents strong support for this vision and contributes to the growth and innovation of Hong Kong’s gold market.
In recent years, sovereign and financial investors have increasingly sought diversification for reserves and asset allocation. Gold’s attributes – as a commodity, an investment vehicle, and a safe-haven asset – have strengthened further, driving sustained price appreciation. Global gold demand in value terms surged 44 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter of last year, reaching a record US$146 billion. Gold ETF holdings also rose substantially, climbing by 222 tonnes in the quarter to exceed 3 800 tonnes, underscoring robust investor appetite amid geopolitical uncertainties and market volatility.
We are delighted to welcome the listing of the Hang Seng Gold ETF. As the first ETF in Hong Kong that supports physical gold redemption at bank, it seamlessly blends the flexibility and liquidity of an ETF with the security of physical commodities. This enables smooth trading, secure storage, and flexible redemption – all conducted entirely within Hong Kong. We are also encouraged by the continued momentum of financial innovation here and look forward to even greater advancements. The exploration of distribution through licensed digital asset exchanges will help bridge traditional and digital finance, unlocking new opportunities.
This initiative aligns fully with the vision set out in the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address, which calls for accelerated development of a world-class international gold trading market. Key measures include establishing a central clearing system for gold in Hong Kong that provides efficient, reliable services in strict compliance with international standards, while inviting participation from the Shanghai Gold Exchange to facilitate collaboration with the Mainland.
A landmark milestone was achieved this Monday with the signing of a co-operation agreement between my bureau and the Shanghai Gold Exchange at the Asian Financial Forum earlier this week. This partnership lays a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s gold central clearing system to connect with the Mainland market.
The Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited, wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government, will operate this system. Together with our partners, we will drive its efficient development, ensuring alignment with international standards and also promoting greater trust, transparency, and innovation in the gold market.
In closing, I wish the listing every success. By working hand in hand with the market, we are building a more connected, efficient, and innovative gold ecosystem that benefits investors regionally and also globally. Thank you.
CHP urges public to remain vigilant as cases of acute gastroenteritis increase in institutions and schools
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP urges public to remain vigilant as cases of acute gastroenteritis increase in institutions and schools Members of the public may visit the CHP’s webpages for more information and preventive advice on Viral GastroenteritisIssued at HKT 18:10
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HKMA and SFC jointly consult on standard calculation periods under OTC derivative Clearing Rules
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKMA and SFC jointly consult on standard calculation periods under OTC derivative Clearing RulesNote 2: The Securities and Futures (OTC Derivative Transactions – Clearing and Record Keeping Obligations and Designation of Central Counterparties) Rules.
Note 3: Under the proposed approach to be effective from March 1, 2027 onwards, the Clearing Rules will be amended to designate two calendar periods, i.e., March 1 to May 31 and September 1 to November 30, in each year as calculation periods.
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Government posts land resumption notices for widening of Yuen Long Highway (section between Lam Tei and Tong Yan San Tsuen)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Government posts land resumption notices for widening of Yuen Long Highway (section between Lam Tei and Tong Yan San Tsuen)
Twenty-one private lots with a total area of about 5 600 square metres will be resumed by the Government. The said land will revert to the Government upon the expiry of a period of three months from the date of affixing the notices (i.e. April 30).
The Government will maintain close liaison with the relevant land owners and affected parties and properly handle their compensation and rehousing matters.
The aforementioned road works aim to increase the carrying capacity of a section of Yuen Long Highway between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange to cater for the traffic need arising from the future developments in the Northwest New Territories.
Issued at HKT 16:45
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Tender of one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes to be held on February 4
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tender of one-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes to be held on February 4
A total of HK$1.5 billion 1-year HKD Notes will be tendered. The Notes will mature on February 5, 2027 and will carry interest indexed to the Hong Kong Dollar Overnight Index Average (HONIA), payable quarterly in arrear.
Tender is open only to Primary Dealers appointed under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. Anyone wishing to apply for the Notes on offer can do so through any of the Primary Dealers on the latest published list, which can be obtained from the Hong Kong Government Bonds website at www.hkgb.gov.hk
Tender results will be published on the HKMA’s website, the Hong Kong Government Bonds website, Bloomberg (GBHK
HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Information
| Issue Number9.30 am to 10.30 amAugust 5, 2026 November 5, 2026 February 5, 2027 August 7, 2026 November 9, 2026 February 9, 2027 the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong LimitedIssued at HKT 17:00 NNNN Foreign Minister Lin meets with delegation led by former Israeli Minister of Religious Services KahanaSource: Republic of China Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin meets with delegation led by former Israeli Minister of Religious Services Kahana Date：2026-01-27 January 27, 2026 Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a delegation from the Israel Defense and Security Forum led by former Israeli Minister of Religious Services Matan Kahana on the morning of January 27. They exchanged views on a broad range of issues, including regional developments and Taiwan-Israel cooperation. In his speech, Minister Lin welcomed Mr. Kahana and thanked him for actively supporting Taiwan-Israel relations during his tenure as a member of the Knesset. He noted that 72 cross-party Knesset members had issued a statement backing Taiwan’s international participation for the first time last July, demonstrating the great importance that they attached to enhancing bilateral relations and fully recognizing Taiwan’s contributions to the international community. He reiterated Taiwan’s appreciation for the statement. Adding that Taiwan and Israel shared the core values of freedom and democracy, he said that he looked forward to furthering collaboration and exchanges on that basis in such domains as artificial intelligence and academic research. Mr. Kahana stated that he was pleased to visit Taiwan at the invitation of the government and that the trip provided an opportunity to deepen his understanding of the latest developments. He also conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to Taiwan for its prompt support and assistance following the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, as well as Iran’s attack on Israel last year. Mr. Kahana emphasized that Taiwan and Israel were like-minded partners committed to safeguarding democratic ideals. And faced with rapidly changing regional and global security dynamics, he expressed hope that bilateral exchanges would only expand in the future. In recent years, Taiwan and Israel have steadily advanced collaboration in such areas as emerging technologies, democratic supply chain resilience, agriculture, health care, medicine, and academic exchanges. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue building on the existing solid foundation to bolster bilateral cooperation across domains. (E) Foreign Minister Lin hosts luncheon to welcome delegation led by US Senator GallegoSource: Republic of China Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin hosts luncheon to welcome delegation led by US Senator Gallego Date：2026-01-24 January 24, 2026 Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome banquet at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 23 for a delegation led by US Senator Ruben Gallego. The two sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation and the regional security situation. MOFA response to European Parliament resolution supporting enhanced cooperation with Taiwan in drone technologySource: Republic of China Taiwan MOFA response to European Parliament resolution supporting enhanced cooperation with Taiwan in drone technology January 26, 2026 |