Category: MIL-OSI

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Customs handles 38k cases in 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Customs & Excise Department handled a total of 38,869 cases in 2025, up 24% on the figure for 2025.

Commissioner of Customs & Excise Chan Tsz-tat announced the figures today during a press conference reviewing the department’s work last year.

Among the cases handled by the department, a majority of 75% were in relation to illicit cigarettes. This was followed by cases involving dangerous drugs and intellectual property rights infringement cases.

Mr Chan highlighted that the number of cases involving illicit cigarettes in 2025 was up by 36% on 2024, reaching 29,037. The number of cigarettes seized stood at 604 million, about the same as in 2024.

He explained that the increase in the number of illicit cigarette cases stemmed from a huge surge in those involving inbound individuals exceeding their duty-free allowances.

Mr Chan also outlined that the department handled 961 drug cases in 2025, down 29% from 2024. About 7.5 tonnes of drugs were seized, a 19% rise year-on-year.

Customs also detected 43 cases involving etomidate last year. About 25.2kg of etomidate and 4,387 etomidate capsules were seized, and 43 people were arrested.

Meanwhile, a total of 286 smuggling cases, comprising a seizure value of $4.217 billion, were handled last year, representing a 22% increase in the number of cases, and a 2% drop in the seizure value as against the figures for 2024.

As regards intellectual property rights infringements, Customs detected 723 cases last year, with the value of infringing items seized rising 35% to around $420 million.

Mr Chan also outlined the department’s work on clearance and trade facilitation, noting that the Single Window Phase 3 services will be implemented in batches, with the first-batch service rolling out in the middle of this year to replace the existing Road Cargo System.

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CE lauds NG athletes

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government held the commendation ceremony for the Hong Kong SAR Delegations to the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) of the People’s Republic of China at the Ma On Shan Sports Centre this afternoon.

Chief Executive John Lee officiated at the ceremony and presented certificates of commendation to medalists and prize winners in the games.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG were jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time, which fully demonstrated the country’s firm support for the collaborative development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It also signified Hong Kong’s practical integration into the overall development of the country which is of great significance and profound impact.

Mr Lee noted that the Government’s estimated expenditure for promoting sports development in this financial year exceeded $9.2 billion, more than doubling the $4.3 billion allocated 10 years ago.

He added that the athletes’ outstanding achievements reflected the enhancement of Hong Kong’s sports prowess as well as the results of athletes’ strenuous training, while affirming that the Government’s long-standing commitment to training elite athletes and strengthening the policy on sports developments is on the right direction.

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism and Head of the Hong Kong SAR Delegations Rosanna Law and National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Head Yeung Tak-keung also attended the ceremony.

The 15th NG was held from November 9 to 21, 2025 and was followed by the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG from December 8 to 15.

The ever largest Hong Kong SAR delegations comprised more than 1,300 athletes at the 15th NG, and over 280 athletes at the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG.

They achieved the best-ever performance at the 15th NG, having won 31 medals, comprising 12 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze.

At the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, they bagged 142 medals, comprising 52 gold, 50 silver and 40 bronze.

Click here for the competition results and relevant information.

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Traffic measures to be implemented

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

To facilitate festive events occurring on the first two days of the Lunar New Year, the Government will roll out special traffic and transport arrangements at various locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon.

In connection with the International Chinese New Year Night Parade due to be held in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8pm on February 17, the first day of the Lunar New Year, special road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases starting from 3.30pm that day. They will remain in place until the roads reopen at about 11.45pm.

With regard to the Lunar New Year fireworks display, which will be staged at 8pm on February 18, special traffic arrangements will be in force on both sides of Victoria Harbour starting from 5pm.

During the road closure hours for both events, taxi stands, including pick-up and drop-off points, public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will not be in use.

In addition, the Marine Department will implement marine traffic control measures and strengthen inspections of spectator vessels to ensure that safety requirements are met.

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Electric vehicles roadmap updated

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced the “Updated Version of the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles”.

The updated roadmap reviews the development of electric vehicle (EV) technology over the past decade, summarises the progress that has been made to promote EV popularisation in Hong Kong since the Government formulated the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles in 2021, and updates the strategies and measures adopted by the Government to promote EV popularisation.

The Environment & Ecology Bureau said that the roadmap in 2021 set a target of ceasing new registration of fuel-propelled private cars, including hybrid vehicles, in 2035 or earlier, with a view to achieving zero vehicular emissions before 2050 and supporting Hong Kong’s goal of carbon neutrality before 2050. The Government also announced the Green Transformation Roadmap of Public Buses & Taxis in 2024.

The bureau highlighted that the updated roadmap summarises the Government’s aims of pragmatically and continuously promoting the development of the EV market in Hong Kong in order to achieve zero vehicular emissions before 2050.

Building on the original roadmap, the updated version covers five areas and includes a total of 28 measures.

Policy promotion

The bureau will co-ordinate relevant policy bureaus and departments in establishing an EV charging network, underpinned by fast chargers, to fully support EV applications in Hong Kong, and establish a working group to identify suitable electric commercial vehicles for local use and support their popularisation.

To address the inconsistency in EV charging standards between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, and to promote the internationalisation of charging standards, the National Energy Administration and the bureau will collaborate to launch a pilot scheme for the next-generation EV charging technology ChaoJ.

Electric private cars
The gradual popularisation of electric private cars is driven by market forces. Going forward, the Government will support the green transition of private cars by improving supporting facilities and user convenience, primarily through charging network expansion, maintenance training, and battery recycling.

Electric commercial vehicles
At present, the overall electrification of commercial vehicles is still in its early stages of technological and market development. The Government will adopt a pragmatic approach to progressively promote the large-scale application of these vehicle types.

Charging network
The Government will leverage market forces in the future through policy guidance to build a public charging network with fast chargers as the backbone. The target is to increase the number of fast chargers to no less than 4,000 by 2030, supporting approximately 200,000 EVs.

Supporting measures 
Hong Kong’s first large-scale EV battery recycling facility is under construction at the EcoPark and is expected to commence operation in the first half of 2026.

To keep pace with the latest developments of EVs, the Government recently commenced work to update the Technical Guidelines on Charging Facilities for EVs and aims for completion by the end of 2026.

Click here for the updated roadmap.

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Dazzling lantern display opens today at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza to celebrate Chinese New Year with public and visitors

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Dazzling lantern display opens today at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza to celebrate Chinese New Year with public and visitors  
     The lantern display titled “Spirited Horse and ICH Bring You the New Year Blessings”, presented by the ICH Office, was created by veteran paper-crafting master Mo Cheuk-kei. The lantern features motifs including horses, bats and lions. Another lantern display, “Leaping into Spring, Galloping to Success”, is created by veteran paper-crafting master Hui Ka-hung. It incorporates Hong Kong-style cheongsams, Chinese candy boxes, gold coins and auspicious symbols, offering a fusion of tradition and creativity to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
 
     The display is open to the public free of charge, with lighted display hours from 6pm to 11pm daily. For enquiries, please call 2591 1340 or visit:
www.cpo.gov.hk/event/en-chinese-new-year-lantern-display-2026Issued at HKT 19:00

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Special traffic and transport arrangements for Chinese New Year’s Eve

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Special traffic and transport arrangements for Chinese New Year’s Eve3. Eight special bus services (Citybus route No. 38S, KMB route Nos. N43, N64P, N243, N272 and Cross Harbour route Nos. N116, N600 and N601) will be operated in the small hours on the first day of the Chinese New Year (February 17);

4. Franchised bus companies will adjust the frequency/departure time or cancel some special trips of 253 routes (including 39 Citybus, 128 KMB and 86 Cross Harbour routes); extend the service hours of 22 bus routes (including 21 KMB and one Cross Harbour route) and strengthen the services of eight (including seven KMB and one Cross Harbour route) bus routes; 
6. The frequency of tram services will be strengthened subject to passenger demand.
 
Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System services
      
     The service of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on February 16 will be extended to 3am on the following day. 
     For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD website (www.td.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:50

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Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing alternative smoking products and importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing alternative smoking products and importing duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photo)      
     Customs officers intercepted an incoming female passenger, aged 31, at Hong Kong International Airport on December 17, 2025, and seized about 20 000 alternative smoking products and about 17 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with a total estimated market value of about $134,100 and a duty potential of about $58,800, from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes 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.
      
     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 16:15

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Volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade in December 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for December 2025 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (February 12) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

     In December 2025, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 21.6% and 26.5% respectively over December 2024.      
     Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.

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Year-end Population for 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Year-end Population for 2025      
     A net inflow of 29 100 Hong Kong residents (i.e. inflow more than outflow) was recorded during the period from end-2024 to end-2025. Over the same period, a natural decrease (i.e. deaths surpassing births) of 18 900 was recorded, with 31 100 births and 50 000 deaths.

     Among the total population at end-2025, 7 242 400 were Usual Residents and 268 400 were Mobile Residents. The revised figure for the mid-year population for 2025 was 7 498 900. The number of Usual Residents was revised to 7 232 900 and the number of Mobile Residents to 266 000. The rate of change in population from mid-2024 to mid-2025 was also revised to -0.3%.Issued at HKT 16:30

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Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information on cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Chinese New Year festive period

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information on cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Chinese New Year festive period 
     The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 11.38 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Chinese New Year festive period (from February 14 to February 23). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 9.52 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be relatively higher on February 14 (Saturday) and February 22 (Sunday), with around 636 000 passengers and 663 000 passengers respectively.
 
     The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 200 000, 187 000 and 156 000 passengers respectively.
 
     All BCPs will maintain the existing operating hours during this year’s Chinese New Year holiday. The Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Port will maintain a 24-hour operation as usual.
 
     To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment, and operation of additional counters, temporary counters and channels. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.
 
     Furthermore, the ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.
 
     The ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. Residents and visitors may also visit “Easy Boundary” (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound 
     For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.
 
     Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
 
     About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. To further enhance the clearance efficiency of control points, following the adjustment of the eligible age for using e-Channel service to seven or above for Hong Kong permanent residents, holders of Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP), holders of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) electronic ordinary passports and departing visitors using “Smart Departure”, the ImmD, in collaboration with the Public Security Police Force, the Identification Services Bureau and the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau of Macao, with effect from January 19, has adjusted the eligible age for mutual use of automated immigration clearance services, and relaxed the requirements for the use of self-service enrolment kiosks for enrolment of such services. At present, Hong Kong residents aged 11 or above holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card are eligible for using the automated passenger clearance services in the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) after enrolment. Under the new measure, Hong Kong residents aged seven to 10 holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card will also be eligible for using the automated passenger clearance services in the Macao SAR after enrolment. Similarly, Macao residents aged seven to 10 holding a valid Macao permanent identity card may use e-Channels to complete the automated immigration clearance after enrolment.   Moreover, Hong Kong non-permanent residents aged 18 or above, holding a valid Hong Kong identity card and a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Document of Identity for Visa Purposes with a validity of more than 90 days may perform the self-service enrolment for using the automated passenger clearance services in the Macao SAR at designated locations in Macao. Under the new measure, persons of this category may also perform the self-service enrolment at the enrolment kiosks installed at designated control points or at various Registration of Persons Offices in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Macao residents aged 18 or above holding a valid Macao non-permanent identity card and a valid visit permit for residents of Macao to the HKSAR may also perform the self-service enrolment for using e-Channel services at designated locations in the Macao SAR. For details of the e-Channel services, please visit: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/immigration_clearance.html 
     Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile App, send a message to 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form.
 
     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.
Issued at HKT 10:35

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