Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs shuts down trading company selling counterfeit mobile phones and other electronic devices online (with photo)
Customs earlier received information from a trademark owner alleging a trading company was offering counterfeit mobile phones for sale online, and an investigation was then launched. After a detailed investigation, and with the assistance of the trademark owner, Customs officers took enforcement action on July 7 and searched an office unit in Hung Hom, resulting in the seizure of the batch of suspected counterfeit goods.
During the operation, two foreign men and one foreign woman, aged between 35 and 46, were arrested under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
An investigation is ongoing, and the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs reminds consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or online shops and to avoid conducting transactions with suspicious traders. They should check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.
Customs strives to protect consumer rights and carries out inspections in the market and on the Internet from time to time. Moreover, Customs officers use a big-data analytics system to carry out risk assessments and analyses to verify whether online shops have complied with the TDO to help safeguard the interests of consumers during online purchases.
Under the TDO, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark 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.hkIssued at HKT 18:15
NNNN
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected smuggled goods worth about $20 million
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving an ocean-going vessel on June 28. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with an estimated market value of about $20 million was seized.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use an ocean-going vessel to smuggle goods. Enforcement operations were thus formulated, with a suspicious container scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Australia via an ocean-going vessel being selected for inspection.
Upon examination, Customs officers found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including cigarettes, pharmaceutical products, liquors and household goods, from the abovementioned container, which was declared as carrying adapters, packaging boxes and bags, and drawstring bags.
An investigation is 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 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 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).
DoJ publishes second series of “Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong’s Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DoJ publishes second series of “Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong’s Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global”
(1) Full business lifecycle coverage, including cross-border financing, mergers and acquisitions, compliance and Environmental, Social and Governance regulations, global intellectual property strategies, as well as cross-border dispute resolution;
Dr Cheung stated that in today’s increasingly complex and volatile global environment, where multiple risks intersect, Mainland enterprises can no longer treat professional services as remedial emergency fixes. Instead, such services should be regarded as core components in the design of projects from the outset to enable source-based risk management. The second series of the Collection of Success Stories will offer highly valuable and practical reference for Mainland enterprises seeking to go global.
Dr Cheung added that this year marks the inaugural year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline, which explicitly supports Hong Kong in leveraging its strengths in professional services to assist enterprises in going global. The DoJ has been advancing various initiatives to implement the policy directions set out in the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address. Following the successful launch of the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform and the publication of the first series of the Collection of Success Stories in December 2025, the DoJ continues to build on the momentum with the release of the second series of the Collection of Success Stories to collaborate with other professional sectors such as accounting and finance in jointly supporting Mainland enterprises.
Dr Cheung stressed that the DoJ will continue to work closely with various professional sectors to further enhance the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform, promote the concept of “managing risks at the source” among all enterprises going global, facilitate precise matching between Hong Kong’s professional services and Mainland enterprises, and empower enterprises by providing steadfast support at every step of their journey, thereby realising the vision of “Go Global, Choose Hong Kong”.
Members of the public and industry are welcome to browse the Collection of Success Stories on the DoJ’s website (www.doj.gov.hk/tc/legal_dispute/pdf/Go_Global_Success_Stories_Booklet_2nd_tc.pdfIssued at HKT 18:25
NNNN
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest – Hong Kong Chapter opens for enrolment
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest – Hong Kong Chapter opens for enrolment
The contest focuses on frontier innovation and technology (I&T) fields that drive the development of new quality productive forces, including fintech, AI and big data, intelligent devices and robotics, smart living and smart mobility, third-generation Internet and metaverse, semiconductors and integrated circuits, biomedicine and health, low-altitude economy and aerospace, new energy and green technology, as well as new materials.
The contest allows Mainland investors and enterprises to learn more about the I&T products and solutions of the local industry, and enables local I&T SMEs to explore business opportunities on the Mainland and to integrate into the overall national development. The MiCHK 2026 Final will be held on September 24 this year, during which one-on-one business matching sessions will be arranged for the top 10 finalists to meet with investors and representatives of enterprises from the Mainland to promote financing and interfacing of businesses. In addition, the contesting teams will have the opportunity to receive support to participate in various start-up programmes and exhibition activities, and to promote their innovative projects to different regions through multiple platforms. The champion, first runner-up and second runner-up will represent the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to compete in the national-level Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest Final to be held in Guangzhou in the fourth quarter of this year, when they will compete with the winning teams of other regional chapters worldwide for the championship and opportunities to gain multifaceted support in connecting with Mainland investors, setting up businesses in Mainland entrepreneurial parks, and receiving guidance on outcome transformation.
The MiCHK 2026 is jointly organised by the Digital Policy Office of the HKSAR Government, the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, and the China International Cooperation Association of SMEs. It is formulated by the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and the Angel Investment Foundation. For more details about the contest, please visit makerinchina.hk/Issued at HKT 11:00
NNNN
Selection completed for fifth cohort of School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 9) announced the completion of the selection process for the fifth cohort of the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS).
A total of 847 valid SNDAS nominations were received from 433 secondary schools for the fifth cohort. In the past few months, the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities participating in the Scheme conducted interviews with the nominated students and carefully considered their individual merits. Direct admission offers were eventually issued to 325 nominees prior to the release of the 2026 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results, of which 319 students accepted the offers and will commence study on their chosen UGC-funded undergraduate programmes in September 2026. A breakdown on the offers accepted by students in various disciplines of study is provided in the Annex.
To promote a culture of multifaceted excellence, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau has launched the Multi-talent Development Scholarship (MDS) in the 2025/26 academic year, funded by the Board of Management of the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries, for admittees of the SNDAS demonstrating outstanding achievements in arts, sports and/or community service on top of the firm offers made under the SNDAS.
Among the students being formally admitted to their respective universities under the SNDAS, each of the eight UGC-funded universities will be invited to nominate SNDAS admittees demonstrating an outstanding performance in arts, sports and/or community service for awarding scholarships in addition to the firm offers made. The quotas of scholarship nominations will be distributed proportionally having regard to the number of students admitted to each university by the SNDAS. Each awardee, not subject to means testing, will be granted a scholarship of $10,000 per year across his/her four-year tuition period. Universities shall enjoy the autonomy to select and nominate awardees for the MDS.
The sixth cohort of the SNDAS will be open for applications by Secondary Six students taking the 2027 HKDSE Examinations and commencing their undergraduate studies in September 2027. Application details will be announced in due course.
The SNDAS was introduced in 2021 as part of the EDB’s response to the recommendations made by the Task Force on Review of School Curriculum, which included enhancing flexibility in university admissions. The eight UGC-funded universities designated over 300 publicly funded undergraduate programmes for the fifth cohort of the SNDAS and set admission criteria that are not based on HKDSE Examination results for individual programmes.
RTHK Solar Project 2026 Xinjiang study tour concludes
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
RTHK Solar Project 2026 Xinjiang study tour concludes
Held under the theme “Cultural and Tourism Junior Reporters”, the programme took the students as Solar Ambassadors to multiple destinations, including Urumqi, Shihezi, the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture and the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, where they visited a diverse range of cultural landmarks and engaged in immersive educational activities. Key highlights of the itinerary included Tianshan Tianchi, cotton fields, peach orchards, vineyards, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Reclamation Museum, Sayram Lake, Liuxing Street and the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall in Yining City. Throughout the visit, RTHK published daily short videos and photos captured by the Solar Ambassadors on its official social media pages, offering a vivid showcase of their learning experiences and achievements.
Ms Kwan reaffirmed RTHK’s longstanding commitment to youth development, expressing hope that Solar Project, as an established annual youth initiative, will continue to provide young people with first-hand exposure to the nation’s history, culture, and development. She encouraged participants to bring their unique youth perspectives to telling China’s story to the world, and to share their learnings and experiences with family and friends upon returning to Hong Kong.
Ahead of the Xinjiang visit, RTHK had arranged a preparatory exchange visit to Qianhai on June 26, followed by a new media and video production workshop on June 27. Looking ahead, RTHK will host the Solar Project 2026 Closing Ceremony in August, and will broadcast a dedicated feature programme on RTHK TV31, offering a comprehensive record of the programme’s highlights and memorable moments.
Issued at HKT 12:00
NNNN
HA Go “Just One Click Away” launches new functions for medical fee waivers and medical report applications
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HA Go “Just One Click Away” launches new functions for medical fee waivers and medical report applications
The Hospital Authority (HA) today (July 9) announced the latest enhancements to its HA Go mobile application, which include one-stop management and booking for medical fee waiver applications, and applying for medical reports from home. The new features offer HA Go members the convenience of being “Just One Click Away”, allowing them to easily access public hospital services and manage their own and their family’s health more effectively.
Starting today, the function for the application of medical fee waivers under the HA Go feature “Medical Fee Assistance” has been further expanded. HA Go full members who meet the following criteria can submit their medical fee waiver applications directly (see Annex 1) and book “Medical Social Services” via HA Go (see Annex 2): Applicants can fill in the application form and upload supporting documents directly through HA Go. Members can also preliminarily assess their eligibility using the Means Test Calculator before applying. If supplementary documents are required during the process, the hospital will contact the applicant or send a push notification via HA Go. Applicants can then upload the required documents through the app, saving them the hassle of travelling to the hospital, and allowing them to complete the entire process with “Just One Click Away”.
The HA reminded members of the public that although the application process can be initiated via HA Go, applicants are still required to go to the hospital to sign a declaration form before the waiver is formally approved, ensuring the accuracy of the submitted information.
If patients prefer to submit paper applications in person, they can use the new feature, “Book Medical Social Services”, to schedule an appointment for their application. HA Go will provide various time slots for hospitals where they have a scheduled appointment in the coming 60 days, or have received a bill or payment notice in the past 90 days. The earliest available appointment times will also be provided for consideration. These two new features are designed to help applicants manage their medical fee waiver applications anytime, anywhere.
The HA spokesperson said, “Enhancing the medical fee waiving mechanism is one of the measures to strengthen patient protection under the public healthcare fees and charges reform. We aim to streamline the application arrangements to better facilitate patients truly in need. This ensures that no patients will be denied adequate medical care due to lack of means.”
Furthermore, HA Go will introduce a new feature, “Apply Medical Report”, by the end of September, providing a fast channel for patients to apply for medical reports written by doctors. HA Go members aged 18 or above holding Hong Kong Identity Cards are eligible to use this feature as the patient in person. They can submit applications, check their application status, and pay the relevant fees via “Pay HA”. The prevailing fee for a general specialist medical report is HK$1,100. Upon confirmation of their application, HA Go members will receive a push notification and can choose to have the report mailed to their registered address or collect it in person at the hospital.
Due to privacy considerations, registered carers on HA Go are not permitted to apply for medical reports on behalf of their parents or children. For applications for medical records, including photocopying what is commonly referred to as the “patient bedside folder”, applicants are currently still required to submit their applications either in person or by post at the hospital’s Medical Records Office. The HA will continue to explore ways to optimise the features of HA Go, with a view to further facilitating patients in accessing health information and managing their health.
The HA spokesperson added, “Since its launch in 2019, HA Go has been well received by the public. As of the first quarter of this year, HA Go has recorded over 4.5 million downloads, with 3.5 million full members and 400 000 registered carers. We will continue to enhance the features of HA Go, striving to develop it into an essential ‘health manager’ for every citizen.”
Issued at HKT 12:15
NNNN
Woman holding charged with murder
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Police today (July 9) laid a holding charge against a 50-year-old woman with one count of murder.
The woman was arrested on July 7 in suspected connection with a murder case happened in Aberdeen on the same day, in which a 53-year-old woman died.
The case will be mentioned at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (July 10) morning.
MOFA response to European Parliament recommendation supporting deeper Taiwan-EU cooperation and reiterating importance of cross-strait peace and stability
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to European Parliament recommendation supporting deeper Taiwan-EU cooperation and reiterating importance of cross-strait peace and stability
July 9, 2026 Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung warmly welcomes a recommendation adopted by the European Parliament on July 7 on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region. The document urges the European Union to deepen cooperation with democratic partners such as Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea; reiterates the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait; and opposes any actions that unilaterally change the status quo through force or coercion. Minister Lin expresses his sincere appreciation to the European Parliament for continuing to take concrete action in support of Taiwan.The recommendation notes that Taiwan is a trusted and key democratic partner of the European Union in East Asia and that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea are of significant strategic interest to the European Union, as well as vital to global security and prosperity. It advises the European Union to enhance cooperation with like-minded partners, including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries. Building on such existing mechanisms as the trade and investment dialogue, it recommends that the European Union and Taiwan establish a comprehensive and structured cooperation framework. At the same time, the text backs Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and technical forums, calls to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, and encourages members of the European Parliament to bolster parliamentary diplomacy with Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan.The recommendation once again underscores the importance that the European Parliament attaches to Taiwan and cross-strait peace and stability. It also marks another substantive expression of staunch support for Taiwan, following the 2023 resolution on EU-Taiwan trade and investment relations, the 2024 resolution on the misinterpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan, and the 2025 annual reports on the implementation of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defence Policy.Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the European Union and like-minded partners to jointly safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, collectively defend the rules-based international order, and actively make further contributions to global peace, security, and prosperity.Related Link: Recommendation on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region.
President Lai meets Mayor Setaka Tetsuo of Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
On the afternoon of July 8, President Lai Ching-te met with Setaka Tetsuo, Mayor of Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan and Japan are important partners who support each other, and continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and the economy, technology, culture, and tourism. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and Nikko City can build on an already solid foundation to create even more cooperative achievements so that local exchanges can become an important driving force in the steady development of Taiwan-Japan relations.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
This is the first time since taking office last year that Mayor Setaka has led a group of Nikko City citizens to visit Taiwan, which makes it all the more meaningful. Whether as president or former mayor of Tainan, I have always eagerly looked forward to these visits. Tainan and Nikko City have a deep and precious friendship, having established an official “tourism-friendly city” relationship back in 2009. During my term of office as mayor of Tainan, following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, I led a delegation to Nikko City to support local tourism. In 2014 Nikko City also organized a delegation to reciprocate by visiting Taiwan. City residents also launched fund-raising campaigns after the 2016 Tainan earthquake and the 2024 Hualien earthquake to assist Taiwan in post-disaster reconstruction. I would like to express my most sincere gratitude.
Taiwan and Japan have long worked together to address challenges such as typhoons, earthquakes, and epidemics as important partners who support each other. Both sides have actively expanded cooperation in areas such as trade and the economy, technology, culture, and tourism. Last year, total Taiwan-Japan trade exceeded US$84.8 billion, 17.36 percent higher than the year before that, and more than 8.21 million visitors traveled between Taiwan and Japan, a historic high.
I am sure that after Mayor Setaka’s visit, Taiwan and Nikko City can build on our already solid foundation to create even more cooperative achievements so that local exchanges can become an important driving force in the steady development of Taiwan-Japan relations.
Mayor Setaka then delivered remarks, saying that the previous day he led approximately 80 Nikko City residents and tourism industry representatives to visit Tainan, and that Nikko City and Tainan have had a “tourism-friendly city” relationship for 17 years. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, President Lai, then-mayor of Tainan, led 300 Tainan residents to Nikko City to support the local tourism industry, something that Nikko City residents remember to this day, and for which they are deeply grateful.
Mayor Setaka stated that last year Tainan was struck by an earthquake as well as a typhoon, and this year he is leading Nikko City citizens on a special visit to Tainan again, hoping to provide mutual encouragement and support. He also expressed hope of continuing cooperation with Tainan in the future and jointly promoting tourism, sports, culture, and economic exchanges, thereby deepening our bilateral relationship.
The visiting delegation also included Nikko City Council Chair Wada Kiminobu.