Category: MIL-OSI

Hong Kong Customs seizes corals of suspected scheduled endangered species (with photo)      
     Customs officers intercepted an incoming 78-year-old male passenger at the Arrival Hall of the said Control Point yesterday. Upon examination, the batch of coral of suspected scheduled endangered species was seized from his rucksack. Officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) attended the scene for inspection and confirmed that the batch of coral was of an endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (the Ordinance) in Hong Kong. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.
      
     Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
      
     According to the Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
      
     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 19:00

Recognition ceremony commends children and adolescents for outstanding performance and resilience in face of adversity       
     Addressing the event, Mr To said that every award recipient tells a touching story of resilience in the face of adversity, demonstrating extraordinary courage and tenacity amid life challenges as well as forging the qualities of self-discipline, confidence, and self-reliance in a difficult environment. Some of them have all the more attained exceptional achievements, setting a good example for other children and youths. Their performances are truly commendable.
      
     Mr To also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers, volunteers, and social workers at the event for their companionship and support in the personal growth of these disadvantaged children and youths. Their care and love have allowed these children and youths to grow up in a nurturing family setting and instilled in them a positive outlook on life, which is of immeasurable value to their future.
      
     At the ceremony today, 42 children and youths were awarded the Best Achievement Award or the Best Progress Award.
      
     Eighteen-year-old Sing is one of the recipients of the Best Achievement Award. Sing lost parental care at a young age and became a ward of the DSW when he was four. Growing up in a devoted foster family, he has been overcoming different challenges in life with resilience and a positive attitude. With excellent academic performance and personal conduct, Sing also has a strong passion for music. He excels in vocal performance and is talented at playing the piano and violin, obtaining a level 4 diploma in singing from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, along with grade 8 piano and grade 5 violin qualifications. In recent years, he has showcased his extraordinary musical talent and earned notable awards in international and local music contests, including the first prize in the piano category at the 2025 Australian International Music Competition – Sound of Music and multiple accolades in three other competitions, namely the 2025 GASCA Japan International Music Competition in Tokyo, IYACC Hong Kong-Taiwan International Music Competition, and the Seventh Hong Kong Youth and Children Music Competition of the Hong Kong Youth and Children Talent Association. Sing received a scholarship from the Changing Young Lives Foundation this year to support his continued development in the musical arena, in which his efforts and talents have been recognised. He plans to give back to society through his music and knowledge in the future and inspire other teenagers with a similar underprivileged background to lead a fruitful life through personal endeavour and a positive attitude.
      
     Another awardee of the Best Achievement Award is 16-year-old Ah Ming (pseudonym). Coming from a single-parent family, Ah Ming has been receiving residential care services since the age of 5 due to his mother’s chronic illness. Under the meticulous care of a small group home of TWGHs, he has gradually developed self-discipline, confidence, and a sense of responsibility. On top of proactively taking care of younger peers at the small group home, Ah Ming has shown significant progress in academics, behaviour, and social skills. He is also enthusiastic about sports and actively participates in his school’s athletics team training. With his persevering character, Ah Ming represented his school in the 16th Hong Kong Tug of War Open Tournament last year and secured the second place in his team’s category, winning glory for his school. His artistic talents are equally outstanding, and his ceramic works have been selected for public exhibitions.
      
     Children and adolescents are made wards of the DSW for various reasons that rendered them unable or unsuitable to live with their family members. Prioritising the best interests of children and adolescents, the Social Welfare Department’s social workers will, depending on individual case circumstances, apply for wardship for a case in accordance with the court procedures stipulated in the Protection of Children and Juveniles Ordinance (Cap. 213 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and draw up appropriate long-term welfare plans for them, such as arranging for adoption or reunion with their families, or preparing them to live independently when they become adults. As at the end of December 2025, a total of 788 children and youths were made wards of the DSW.
Issued at HKT 14:00

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Police kick off fifth cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics       
     Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, said that the abuse of etomidate in recent years has posed challenges to anti-drug efforts, reflecting the ever-changing drug scene. As such, the programme curriculum of L.I.O.N. must keep abreast of the times. In addition to training courses covering leadership skills, drug-related legal and medical knowledge, publicity and media response techniques, and adventure-based training, L.I.O.N. has also incorporated generative artificial intelligence training this year to equip mentees with skills to apply innovative technologies for creating impactful anti-drug projects. The Chinese Mainland exchange tour will also be extended to three days and two nights this year, enabling mentees to engage in in-depth exchanges in the Greater Bay Area and broaden their horizons.
      
     He added that this year marks the fifth anniversary of L.I.O.N.’s establishment, and a series of large-scale promotional activities will be launched, including the “L.I.O.N.–mobile”, an anti-drug short video competition, and a large-scale anti-drug carnival, showcasing the creative achievements of mentees of the current and past cohorts, and further promoting a drug-free culture to the community.
      
     Mr Chow expressed his appreciation to the Hong Kong Youth Development Alliance, executive committee members of the past cohorts, professional trainers, as well as school principals and teachers for their support and contributions to L.I.O.N.. He encouraged mentees of the new cohort to cherish every learning opportunity, and work together with all sectors to build a drug-free society.
      
     At the ceremony, awardees from the fourth cohort shared their valuable insights from the exchange tour to New Zealand in February. They said that the trip deepened their understanding of how anti-drug messages were disseminated there through publicity, education and community involvement, which would help them continue to fulfill their mission as anti-drug leaders in the future.
      
     Established by the Police Narcotics Bureau in 2021, L.I.O.N. brings together various community sectors and annually recruits 80 secondary students and 20 undergraduates as mentees. Through various training activities, visits, as well as exchange tours, L.I.O.N. nurtures young people as anti-drug leaders to disseminate anti-drug messages in the community.
Issued at HKT 19:03

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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

Road Safety Council 52nd Anniversary I Love Mr Safegg Carnival held 
     The Road Safety Council 52nd Anniversary I Love Mr Safegg Carnival, organised by the Road Safety Council, was held today (March 8) at Kai Tak Station Square, Kowloon City.
 
     The opening ceremony was officiated by the Chairperson of the Road Safety Council and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) of the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Chairperson of the Road Safety Research Committee and Deputy Commissioner for Transport (Planning and Technical Services), Mr Patrick Ho; the Chairperson of the Road Safety Campaign Committee, Ms Karin Wong; and Road Safety Ambassadors, Ms Anne Heung and Ms Denise Yeung.
 
     Mr Yip remarked that over the past year, the Council and various stakeholders had spared no effort in securing a sustained reduction in traffic casualties in recent years. In 2025, the number of fatal and serious traffic accidents in Hong Kong reached the lowest recorded since 1954, positioning Hong Kong among the world’s leading cities for road safety performance.
 
     Mr Yip also stated that the Council had organised The Revamp of Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town Design Competition in 2025 to encourage professionals and students in architecture and related design disciplines to propose innovative and creative design ideas to revitalise Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town into a sustainable and vibrant hub for road safety advocacy.
 
     He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all members of the Council, government departments and other stakeholders for their continuous efforts and contributions. Looking ahead, the Council will continue to collaborate with all road safety stakeholders to organise a variety of promotional activities, deepening the community’s understanding of road safety across different age groups, with a vision of “Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong’s Goal”.
 
     During the ceremony, awards were presented for The Revamp of Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town Design Competition and the My Ideal Road Safety Town Drawing Competition. The award ceremony for the Safety Professional Driver Awards 2025 also took place, recognising seven outstanding bus captains from four franchised bus companies.
 
     The carnival featured an exhibition of winning entries from The Revamp of Sau Mau Ping Road Safety Town Design Competition, showcased the winning works from both the professional and student categories, along with physical models of the two champion designs to allow the public to explore the potential designs for the future road safety town. Additional attractions included a series of interactive booths under the theme of Mr Safegg, an inflatable bouncy castle, a new augmented reality game, creative workshops, and photo zones, all designed to convey road safety messages to the public in a fun and engaging way, encouraging the public to adopt correct attitudes and always remember to “Stay Alert, Stay Alive”.
Issued at HKT 17:00

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Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and Ministry of Justice co-organise second edition of National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong) 
     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and representatives of the Bureau of Public Legal Services Administration of the Ministry of Justice, the China Legal Service (H.K.) Limited and the China University of Political Science and Law attended the opening ceremony of the course. Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Lam expressed again his gratitude to the Ministry of Justice for its support and trust in the Academy, and thanked the China Legal Service (H.K.) Limited and the China University of Political Science and Law for their strong support for the course. He said that Hong Kong, as the only common law jurisdiction in the country, possesses a robust arbitration legal framework and a pro-arbitration judiciary. Hong Kong’s Arbitration Ordinance is based on the internationally recognised United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration and keeps abreast with developments in practice. Moreover, Hong Kong, as home to world-class arbitration institutions and a large pool of experienced arbitration practitioners, is highly praised by the international arbitration community. The Department of Justice is reviewing and considering amendments to the Arbitration Ordinance to maintain the long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong’s arbitration law.
 
     Building on the inaugural training course held in February 2025, this edition will run for two weeks in English, with two groups of participants each attending the training for one week. Through lectures, panel discussions, exchanges and visits, the course aims to introduce practical operations in areas including international commercial arbitration and international investment arbitration to around 80 participants, including Mainland in-house counsel, experienced arbitrators, lawyers and arbitration practitioners. Speakers include experienced legal professionals and international arbitration experts from Hong Kong, members of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee and a representative from the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The course will help promote understanding and co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in international dispute resolution, enhancing the ability of Mainland enterprises in handling dispute resolutions when going overseas.
 
     The Academy will capitalise on Hong Kong’s bilingual common law system and international status, and provide a platform for capacity building, knowledge, and experience sharing for legal professionals in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and other jurisdictions, in particular those along the Belt and Road. Also, it will promote exchanges of international legal talent and reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia‑Pacific region, and develop Hong Kong as a capacity-building hub, further contributing to the construction of foreign-related rule of law in the country.
Issued at HKT 12:02

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EPD to implement new qualifying standards for environment-friendly commercial vehicles from April 2026          i. The QS for heavy duty commercial vehicles will be revised to “Emit at least 30 per cent less nitrogen oxides (NOx) than the China VI-b or Euro VI emission limit”, i.e. the corresponding national standard will be added to the current QS. As the NOx emission limits of both standards are currently the same, the QS emission limit will remain unchanged.          i. The QS for light duty commercial vehicles (excluding taxis) will be tightened to “Emit not more NOx than the China 6b emission limit” (the emission limit of China 6b is approximately 40 per cent to 60 per cent of that for Euro 6);
          ii. The QS for taxis will remain unchanged, i.e. emit at least 80 per cent less NOx than the Euro 6 emission limit.
 
     The first registration tax concession rates and their concession caps for all EFCVs will remain unchanged.www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/environment_friendly_commercial_vehicles.htmlIssued at HKT 15:00

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