Category: MIL-OSI

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products       
     Customs officers intercepted a 33-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on March 7. About 34 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $153,000 and a duty potential of about $112,300, as well as 10 000 heat sticks with an estimated market value of about $30,000 were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined $900 in contravention of the DCO, and was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment in contravention of the IEO today. The sentences run concurrently.

     As well, Customs officers intercepted two male passengers, aged 60 and aged 44 respectively, at HKIA yesterday (March 8). About 49 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $201,000 and a duty potential of about $162,100 were seized from the former’s personal baggage, while about 28 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $128,000 and a duty potential of about $94,000 were seized from the latter’s personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. They were sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 and four months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively in contravention of the DCO today.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.      
     Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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 19:15

Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and Women’s Commission celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 (with photos/video)      
     The reception was attended by members of the WoC, representatives from women’s groups, non-governmental organisations and the local community. Thematic panels were set up at the venue to showcase the efforts of the current-term Government and the WoC in promoting women’s development.
      
     In his speech, Mr Lee cited the remarks made by President Xi Jinping at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing in 2025, stating that women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilisation, and the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women. Mr Lee said that, “with the nation’s support and a widening global vision, women in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have been able to pursue their dreams and realise their full potential”. He emphasised that women are a powerful source of energy for social progress, and that their talent and determination are essential to Hong Kong’s continuing success.
      
     He expressed gratitude for the hard work and contributions of women and, drawing on the qualities of four traditional Chinese silk fabrics, expressed his hope that women would continue to illuminate the city with their clarity, inclusivity, resilience, and grace.
      
     The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, said at the reception that the current-term Government attaches great importance to women’s development. She noted that the HYAB has been working closely with the WoC to actively implement a range of initiatives. In recent years, these have included launching the Women Empowerment Fund, establishing the Women Affairs Team and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, organising the Hong Kong Family and Women Development Summit, launching the one-stop Family and Women Information Portal, and rolling out the “She Inspires” Mentorship Programme — all aimed at supporting women from different backgrounds in balancing both their careers and family.
      
     Miss Mak said, “The HYAB will continue to take forward relevant work in response to the four proposals put forward by President Xi Jinping at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing in 2025 to jointly foster an enabling environment, jointly cultivate development momentum, jointly develop governance framework, and jointly promote collaboration between all parties, so as to create more opportunities for the high-quality development of the women’s cause.”
      
     To carry forward and promote the spirit of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, the HYAB will hold the second Hong Kong Family and Women Development Summit on March 31, under the theme “Shaping Women’s Strengths and Harnessing a Shared Future for Families”. The Summit will bring together stakeholders from across society to explore ways to further advance family and women development in Hong Kong.
     　
     Other officiating guests at the reception were Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Sun Shangwu; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Zhang Changwei; Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Mr Li Shuangzhou; Deputy Director of the liaison office of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Xie Zhixiang; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mrs Regina Ip; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo; the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip; and the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs cum Vice-chairperson of the Women’s Commission, Mr Patrick Li.
Issued at HKT 14:40

NNNN

More than 1 100 students experience building spectacular horticultural display for Hong Kong Flower Show  
     During the activity, the students assembled the display using a variety of richly coloured flowers of various species, including stocks, carnations, myosotis, chrysanthemums, lavender, pansies, impatiens and more, creating a multihued scene.
 
     The intricately crafted display, made of cut flowers, showcases a historic tramcar, known as the “Ding Ding”, symbolically guiding visitors through the city’s bustling streets and old neighbourhoods. Along the route, visitors can appreciate the dynamic blend of the city’s past and present through iconic landmarks such as the stately Court of Final Appeal Building, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel overlooking Victoria Harbour, and the Bank of China Tower located in the city’s financial hub.
 
     Enriching the display are scenes of local culture and traditions, from the thrilling atmosphere of horse racing at the Happy Valley Racecourse to the vibrant celebrations of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. Repulse Bay is also highlighted in the display. The beach-inspired design features plant sculptures of a playful duck-shaped float, a beach ball, a sand bucket, a sand shovel and more, creating a comfortable and relaxing ambience.
 
     After the student experience session, work on the “Floral Trail of the Island” display will continue. Embellished with about 44 000 flowers and plants, the display will be one of the main garden features at this year’s flower show. Visitors can appreciate the display and take photos with the plant sculptures. Illustrating different styles of day and night, the display is enhanced with light effects in the evening, showcasing the unique charm of a city where East meets West and old blends with new, amid floral fragrances in the air.
 
     This year’s flower show will be held at Victoria Park for 10 days from March 20 to 29, running from 9am to 9pm daily, featuring the elegant stock as its theme flower under the theme “A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong”.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2601 8260 or visit the flower show webpage www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2026/index.html 
     The Hong Kong Flower Show is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is supporting the flower show for the 14th consecutive year, and has been its major sponsor since 2014.
Issued at HKT 13:16

Hongkong Post to issue “Hong Kong Museums Collection – Xubaizhai Collection” special stamps       
     Cherished by the renowned art connoisseur, Mr Low Chuck-tiew (1911-1993), the Xubaizhai Collection of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy primarily encompasses masterpieces from the Ming and Qing dynasties through the 20th century. Mr Low donated his collection to the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 1989. Hongkong Post is continuing its Hong Kong Museums Collection series by issuing a set of six stamps, two stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products on the theme of “Xubaizhai Collection” to present paintings selected from the exhibition “Life Planning of the Chinese Literati: Selected Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Xubaizhai Collection”, showcasing the artistic styles and aspirations of traditional Chinese literati.
      
     Official first day covers for “Hong Kong Museums Collection – Xubaizhai Collection” will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post’s online shopping platform ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk      
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on March 24 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
      
     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hkIssued at HKT 12:25

ROLE Ambassador award ceremony and sharing session held today  
     Delivering his opening remarks at the event, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said that today marked an important milestone of the TTL Programme. The 40 ROLE Ambassadors represented the first batch of trainees that completed all the training courses under the TTL Programme since it was launched in November 2023, and also symbolised the beginning of a new stage. Mr Lam emphasised that the key to maintaining Hong Kong’s sound rule of law environment is to cultivate public understanding of the principles of the rule of law and to enhance the public’s basic understanding of Hong Kong’s common law system. He encouraged the ROLE Ambassadors to become dedicated advocates for promoting the rule of law in Hong Kong by passing on the knowledge and experience they gained from the TTL Programme to others in ways that are appropriate to their respective capacities and positions.
 
     Four trainees representing the participating youth uniformed group, district youth committee, secondary school teachers and the Education University of Hong Kong shared their thoughts and experience of becoming ROLE Ambassadors. They said that the courses had deepened their knowledge of the rule of law and boosted their confidence in disseminating messages about the rule of law. They had concrete plans to apply what they had learned in the courses to promote correct information about the rule of law and cultivate the spirit of respecting the rule of law in schools and the community.
 
     Mr Lam; the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of SideBySide, Mr Justice Poon Siu-tung; and the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, later presented the trainees with certificates and badges of ROLE Ambassadors at the certificate presentation ceremony, commending the trainees’ continuous participation and completion of all the courses under the TTL Programme, and their efforts in actively promoting the rule of law across various sectors within the community.
 
     With the support of the Steering Committee on Rule of Law Education, the TTL Programme was officially launched by the DoJ in November 2023 and consists of three stages of courses: the foundation course, advanced course and extended course. The fourth phase of TTL Programme will be held this year. To promote continual participation in and completion of all courses under the TTL Programme and encourage proactive organisation or participation in activities for promoting the rule of law, the DoJ has launched the ROLE Ambassador recognition scheme to recognise and commend trainees who strive to enhance their knowledge of the rule of law and actively promote information of the rule of law in different sectors of the community, and to encourage the trainees to continue to fulfill their mission of promoting the rule of law.
 
     As at end 2025, a total of about 380 trainees participated in the TTL Programme, including representatives from youth and community work organisations, as well as secondary school teachers and students from the Education University of Hong Kong. Among them, 40 have completed all three stages of courses, thereby qualifying as the first batch of ROLE Ambassadors under the TTL Programme.
 
     The qualification of ROLE Ambassador will be valid for two years, which aims to encourage Ambassadors to continue to participate in the DoJ’s rule of law education activities and to actively organise rule of law promotion activities during the period in order to obtain a renewal of the qualification. The DoJ will keep close contact and build partnerships with the trainees and ROLE Ambassadors to provide timely assistance and support. The DoJ will also continue to collaborate closely with relevant government departments and community stakeholders to promote rule of law education through diverse means and enhance the public’s understanding and practice of the rule of law.
 
     For more details on the TTL Programme and other information relating to the promotion and training on the rule of law, please visit the dedicated website at www.role-ttl.gov.hkIssued at HKT 13:30

DH announces latest situation regarding Legionnaires’ disease cases     
     From March 1 to 7, the CHP recorded two community-acquired LD cases. The details of the cases are as follows:
 
1. a 39-year-old female patient with good past health living in Yau Tsim Mong District; and
2. an 89-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses living in Kwun Tong District.

     ​​The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify the potential sources of infection and high-risk exposure. An initial investigation revealed that these are sporadic cases. No epidemiological linkages have been established between these cases and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.      ​The public should observe the health advice below:
          ​The public may visit the CHP’s LD pageIssued at HKT 16:30

HKMC enhances Reverse Mortgage Programme and launches Green Promotion 
1. Enhancement to the Reverse Mortgage Programme (RMP) (Note 1) 
Example: A single borrower selecting life payment term