Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     In light of the expected increase in hikers to country parks during the New Year holidays, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (December 31) urges hikers to pay attention to safety and to use the designated hiking trails managed and maintained by the AFCD.

     The AFCD has placed information boards and directory signs at appropriate locations within the country parks. Warning signs have also been installed near dangerous areas in the country parks, reminding hikers not to enter those areas to avoid accidents.

     The AFCD reminds the public that the cliffs near the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform in Sai Kung have been weathered and eroded over the years. Hikers must follow the waymarks, stay on the designated hiking trails and refrain from striding over railings. The AFCD has added barriers and placed warning signs around the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform and surrounding areas to prevent hikers from wandering into dangerous areas, hence avoiding accidents. During the New Year holidays, the AFCD will deploy additional staff to disseminate messages about hiking safety at the viewing platform and surrounding areas, to ensure the safety of hikers.

     The AFCD promotes comprehensive information about trails through the “Enjoy Hiking” website (www.hiking.gov.hk) to help hikers select suitable routes. The website also provides comprehensive database on various hiking trails, including trail length, difficulty and nearby facilities, for hikers to plan hiking trips that are suitable for themselves according their personal conditions. The website also lists out high risk locations with records of fatal and serious accidents in country parks, with a view to reminding hikers to avoid visiting those areas.

     For information on hiking safety, please visit the AFCD page (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_gac/cou_wha_whe_sat.html).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

In light of an expected increase in people hiking in country parks during the New Year holidays, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department today urged hikers to pay attention to safety and to use the designated hiking trails managed and maintained by the department.

The department has added barriers and placed warning signs around the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform in Sai Kung and its vicinity to prevent hikers from wandering into dangerous areas and suffering accidents.

It reminded the public that the cliffs near the viewing platform have been weathered and eroded over the years and said hikers must follow waymarks, stay on designated hiking trails and refrain from striding over railings.

During the New Year holidays, the department will deploy additional staff at the platform and in its vicinity to disseminate messages about hiking safety.

It added that it provides comprehensive information about trails on the “Enjoy Hiking” website, and that this can be used to plan suitable hikes.

The department has also placed information boards and signs at appropriate locations within the country parks. Warning signs have been installed near various dangerous areas.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced the updated Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (BSAP), setting out the strategies and priority actions for the next 10 years to protect nature and support sustainable development. The BSAP will contribute to national and global efforts aimed at achieving harmony between humans and nature.

At the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the country adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which proposed a new global strategic framework for biodiversity conservation. In January 2024, the Ministry of Ecology & Environment released the China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030).

To align with these frameworks while considering Hong Kong’s circumstances and stakeholder input, the Government has updated the BSAP and outlined actions for the next phase. This new plan builds upon the first phase, which was launched in 2016.

The updated action plan introduces four strategic areas, including nature conservation, deepening mainstreaming, capacity building and collaborative partnering, all supported by 30 priority actions and 81 projects.

Priority actions for nature conservation include: strengthening management of protected areas and establishing a wetland conservation system; restoring degraded ecosystems and revitalising remote countryside areas; stepping up enforcement against wildlife crimes and management of invasive alien species; and preventing deterioration of the aquatic environment by controlling pollution discharges.

The Government aims to strengthen the city’s biodiversity conservation through continued community collaboration. To ensure oversight, the updated BSAP’s implementation will be monitored by an interdepartmental working group, with regular progress reports submitted to the Advisory Council on the Environment.

A dedicated website on related work progress will be launched later, the Government added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Digital Policy Office today announced its collaboration with the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company to launch the Digital Corporate Identity (CorpID) Sandbox Programme.

This programme offers a free simulated environment for service providers, including public and private organisations as well as government departments, to conduct proof-of-concept testing and application development for CorpID. This initiative facilitates the design of tailored solutions and application scenarios across various industries and markets.

The initiative aims to kick-start ecosystem development for CorpID to help Hong Kong corporations accelerate their digital transformation, while further strengthening the business environment for Hong Kong corporations.

To speed up the development of Hong Kong’s digital economy, the office plans to launch the CorpID Platform for Hong Kong corporations by the end of 2026 with a gradual extension of services.

The platform’s main functions are to facilitate secure and convenient digital identity authentication and signature verification for Hong Kong corporations, which streamlines e-government services and online transactions. This is achieved through digital corporate identity authentication, digital signing, pre-filling of forms and storage of digital licences and permits.

These features eliminate the need for complicated, paper-based procedures involving the submission and verification of duplicate original documents and company chops.

The platform will also enable corporations to reuse information previously provided when using different electronic services, saving processing time and reducing human errors while facilitating their digital transformation.

The CorpID Sandbox Programme will provide participating service providers with technical support, reference documents and simulated Application Programming Interface. It will also introduce suitable application scenarios, allowing service providers to test CorpID functions. Interested service providers can register online.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong residents born between 1950 and 1976 can enrol in the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme from January 1, 2026, the Department of Health announced today.

The programme subsidises asymptomatic residents aged between 50 and 75 to undergo screening tests for colorectal cancer every two years in the private sector. Participants should attend a medical consultation provided by an enrolled primary care doctor and receive a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening.

Participants with positive FIT results will be referred to an enrolled colonoscopy specialist to receive a colonoscopy examination subsidised by the Government. People with a negative FIT result are advised to repeat the screening two years later.

As of the end of November, more than 66,000 new participants have enrolled in the programme this year, bringing the total number of participants to more than 579,000. Among them, 15% had positive FIT screening results with about 45,000 participants having benign colorectal tumors, known as adenomas.

Under the programme, about 3,800 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer after colonoscopy examinations, with more than half of those cases in the early stages.

The Centre for Health Protection noted that in 2023, there were 5,467 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases, accounting for 14.4% of all new cancer cases.

Colorectal cancer screenings can identify people at higher risk of colorectal cancer and asymptomatic patients, and help them receive early treatment, the centre added.

Eligible residents can join the programme by registering in the Electronic Health System. Call 3467 6300 for details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme between Hong Kong Customs and the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) of Peru in hybrid mode at the Customs Headquarters Building today (December 30). The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Consul-General of Peru, Mr Enrique Carlos Cardenas Arestegui, in person as well as the National Superintendent of Customs and Tax Administration of SUNAT of Peru, Mr Javier Franco Castillo, and the Deputy National Superintendent of Customs of SUNAT of Peru, Mr Carlos Adrianzen, online. Immediately after the signing, Mr Chan exchanged the signed MRA text with Mr Enrique Carlos Cardenas Arestegui.

     The MRA with Peru is Hong Kong Customs’ first MRA concluded with a Customs administration in the South American region, marking a significant step in strengthening trade ties between the two places as well as the South American region. This MRA will further facilitate the flow of legitimate cross-boundary cargo and enhance the global competitiveness of enterprises in both places.

     The Hong Kong AEO Programme was launched in 2012. The signing of the MRA with Peru brings the number of MRAs ratified between Hong Kong Customs and other Customs administrations to 18 in total. The other 17 Customs administrations which Hong Kong has signed MRAs with are the Chinese Mainland; India; Korea; Singapore; Thailand; Malaysia; Japan; Australia; New Zealand; Israel; Canada; Mexico, Indonesia; Macao, China; Bahrain; South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Under the MRA, AEOs from the signatory countries or regions can enjoy reciprocal trade facilitations including a reduced inspection rate and prioritised clearance.

     Hong Kong Customs will continue to accord priority to its discussions on MRAs with the Belt and Road economies, particularly member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, as well as African and South American countries to further expand the MRA network.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​Two incoming male passengers were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (December 30) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 27, at Hong Kong International Airport on November 16. About 58 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $237,700 and a duty potential of about $191,700 were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 today.

     As well, Customs officers intercepted another incoming male passenger, aged 42, at the airport on the abovementioned date. About 19 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $77,900 and a duty potential of about $62,800 were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 today.

     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, 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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Planned in conjunction with the General History of China Exhibition Series held at the Hong Kong Museum of History annually, the Chinese Culture Promotion Office (CCPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold the “Archaeology of Cao Cao” Exhibition at the Lobby, 1/F, Hong Kong Museum of History, from tomorrow (December 31) to February 23, 2026. The exhibition leads visitors to explore the literary and military achievements in the life of the formidable hero Cao Cao. The exhibition traces the discovery, excavation and verification of Cao Cao’s tomb to unveil the mystery and reveal the true character of Cao Cao. Admission is free.
      
     Cao Cao (155-220 AD) was an outstanding politician, military strategist and poet during the late Eastern Han dynasty. He laid the foundation for the establishment of the Wei state and profoundly influenced the historical trajectory of the Three Kingdoms period. In 2009, Cao Cao’s tomb was discovered in Anyang, Henan Province, followed by intense debate over the authenticity of the tomb. The academic community has now confirmed Xigaoxue Tomb in Anyang as the Mausoleum of Cao Cao, and the layout of the cemetery, the burial structure and the remains and various artefacts found in the tomb form a complete chain of evidence.
      
     Incorporating replicas of excavated artefacts and drawing upon the research of Chair Professor of Humanities at the Southern University of Science and Technology, and former researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Professor Tang Jigen, the exhibition reveals the true character of the formidable hero Cao Cao, while offering a glimpse into the social and political landscape of the late Eastern Han dynasty. In addition to panels for children and videos, visitors can explore Cao Cao’s multifaceted personality through an interactive rotating cube installation that showcases well-known anecdotes. There is also a photo spot where visitors can savour the grandeur of Cao Cao’s literary and military achievements.
      
     The exhibition is organised by the CCPO, and supported by the Hong Kong Museum of History. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website: www.ccpo.gov.hk/en/programme/archaeology-of-cao-cao-exhibition.​