MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (May 26) announced that the auction of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held on June 13 (Saturday) in Meeting Room S421, L4, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     “A total of 420 traditional vehicle registration marks will be put up for public auction. The list of marks has been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.

     For the auction of TVRMs, only registration marks starting with “HK” or “XX” and special vehicle registration marks are put up for physical auction. Applicants should attend the auction and take note of the opening price as announced by the auctioneer before participating in the bidding of the mark.

     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:

(1) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.

(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.

(3) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
 
(4) The display of a vehicle registration mark on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.

(5) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.

(6) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Traditional Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Leading wusheng (martial male) actors from four major Peking opera troupes in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin and Hubei will gather in Hong Kong in late June for the “Showcase of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles”, kicking off the Chinese opera series of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). The three-day programme will feature classic plays such as “‘The Battle at Changbanpo’ and ‘The Incident at Hanjin Crossing'”, “The Pulley”, “Zhong Kui Marrying His Sister off” and “On Iron Cage Mountain”. Many of these plays draw on tales of loyalty and righteousness from “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, “The Water Margin” and “The Story of Yue Fei”, showcasing the finest martial traditions from northern and southern schools. This programme is also the opening event of the 14th Chinese Opera Festival (COF) and is one of the programmes of the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Month 2026.

     Peking opera wusheng can primarily be classified into two subtypes: changkao and duanda. Changkao wusheng refers to military males who wear dakou (warrior’s armour) and thick-soled boots to portray commanding generals, placing equal emphasis on combat techniques and stylised movements. Duanda wusheng, by contrast, wear fitted costumes and light footwear, mainly depicting heroic fighters that perform martial art routines through agile, swift, and acrobatic movements. 

     Details of the three performances are as follows:

“Lin Chong on the Run”, “‘The Battle at Changbanpo’ and ‘The Incident at Hanjin Crossing'”
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Date and time: June 26 (Friday), 7.30pm

     “Lin Chong on the Run” is a well-known Peking opera featuring duanda wusheng roles. Zhao Hongyun, an emerging actor of the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company, will portray Lin Chong’s desperate journey to Liangshan from “The Water Margin”, capturing the sorrow of a fallen hero with a balanced focus on vocal and acting skills. “‘The Battle at Changbanpo’ and ‘The Incident at Hanjin Crossing'” is an iconic martial piece adapted from the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, in which a succession of wusheng actors will perform. Xi Zhonglu, hailed as “the foremost wusheng in Peking opera of our time”, will command the stage with the imposing aura of Guan Yu in the hongsheng (red-faced male) tradition. Wei Xuelei and Chen Lin, class one performers from the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing and the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company respectively, will share the role of Zhao Yun who rescues the lord amid fierce martial scenes. Both plays illustrate the dynamic range of wusheng artistry in Peking opera.

“The Pulley”, “Wu Song Checking in at the Inn”, “Rescuing His Sister at the Bright Sun Mansion”
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Date and time: June 27 (Saturday), 7.30pm 

     “The Pulley” is regarded as a touchstone of wusheng mastery. In this performance, Wang Daxing, a class one actor from the Tianjin Peking Opera Theatre, will demonstrate his formidable command of challenging routines such as “qiba” (a stylised suite of movements to depict arming for battle), “extended combat” and “overturning the pulleys” technique to breathe life into the last tragic battle of Southern Song General Gao Chong. Lu Jialiang, an outstanding young actor from the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company, will demonstrate agile fist movements in the Gai school classic “Wu Song Checking in at the Inn”, detailing a humorous encounter through a fight between Wu Song and Sun Erniang. Class one performer Wang Xilong will portray the spoiled aristocrat Gao Deng in a painted-face role in “Rescuing His Sister at the Bright Sun Mansion”, displaying the arrogance and dominance of Gao through elegant martial sequences such as “tangma” (horse-riding) and “drunken fighting”. The three plays put the diverse artistry of various Peking opera schools on full display.

“Zhong Kui Marrying His Sister Off”, “Seven for a Righteous Cause”, “At the Crossroads”, “On Iron Cage Mountain”
———————————————————————————————–
Date and time: June 28 (Sunday), 2.30pm

     “Zhong Kui Marrying His Sister Off” is a representative Li school wusheng piece that combines singing, line delivery and martial choreography. Wang Xilong carries the Li school mantle, delivering a nuanced portrayal of the complex, bittersweet emotions of the occasion. Both “Seven for a Righteous Cause” and “At the Crossroads” are renowned plays of the Gai school. In the former, Lu Meng, a class one actor from the Hubei Provincial Peking Opera Theatre, will lead an outstanding ensemble cast to showcase the chivalrous spirit of outlaw heroes through vigorous martial choreography, while the latter features Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company performers Hao Shuai and his long-time partner Hao Jie, vividly presenting the most celebrated comic-action duets between wusheng and wuchou (martial comic) roles. The finale, “On Iron Cage Mountain”, is a major painted-face wusheng showcase. Xi Zhonglu will unleash a dazzling array of combat choreography to manifest the fearless spirit of Shu Han General Jiang Wei.

     The three performances will be held at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC). Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $260, $360, $460 and $560 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The CCF 2026 offers various discount schemes, such as group booking discounts, package booking discounts and the newly introduced “Generations Together 1+1” discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/showcase-of-actors-in-full-armour-roles-in-peking-opera.

     A number of free extension activities will be organised for this programme. A meet-the-artists session (in Putonghua) entitled “Face-to-Face with Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles” will be held at 7.30pm on June 25 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, HKCC. The speakers include Xi Zhonglu, Wei Xuelei and Wang Daxing, while Chinese opera researcher Sheng Yihui will be the moderator. A backstage tour (in Putonghua) will be held at 4pm on June 26 (Friday) at the backstage of the Grand Theatre of the HKCC. Since the spaces for online registration of these two extension activities are full, those who are interested may wait at the venue’s entrance for a standby space on the day of the session. Any unclaimed spots will be released 10 minutes after the session begins on a first-come, first-served basis.

     In addition, a demonstration performance of Peking opera will be held at 3pm on June 27 (Saturday) at the Foyer of the HKCC, featuring young actors Ren Zicheng and Liu Hanxiye from the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company who will perform “The Young Cowherd”. “The Art of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles Exhibition” will be held from June 10 to 28 at the Foyer Exhibition Area of the HKCC. All are welcome. 

     The programme will also feature a session under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series” to be held at 10am on June 25 (Thursday) at the Grand Theatre of the HKCC, with free admission specially for local primary and secondary school students. Actors from the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company will introduce the makeup, costumes and stylised movements of different wusheng roles in Peking opera, offering a comprehensive insight into this art form. Interested schools can call 2268 7325 for details.

     The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 will be held from June to September. It will host various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2026, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Co-developed with ITRI, earned a gold award for addressing long-standing limitations of conventional artificial ligaments, including poor biocompatibility, inflammation and rejection risks, and material degradation that can lead to breakage. Combining polymer-bioceramic composite fibers with a porous bionic textile structure, the technology delivers up to three times the strength of commercially available products while promoting bone regeneration and tissue adherence. Through collaboration with traditional textile manufacturers, ITRI transformed a textile material originally worth less than US$1 into an artificial ligament commanding a unit price of US$2,500.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A Mainland telecommunications operator that is engaged in digital development in Central Asia will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to provide services for a logistics centre during Chief Executive John Lee’s visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan next month.

 

Mr Lee will lead a delegation to the two countries early in June.

 

The operator’s Head of Carrier Business Kevin Chan said he believes the Government’s official visit can help to deepen economic and trade exchanges with Central Asian countries.

 

“The local 5G development focuses on traditional consumer markets, while the enterprise service ecosystem is still evolving. We are going to give them our smart solutions through our logistics platform. On top of that, because we also have other projects happening in Central Asia, especially in the Kazakhstan region, they will be providing us with a logistics capability that they will make sure all the equipment and all our construction of these satellite base stations will be seamless.”

 

In March, the company established its Global Intelligence Center in Hong Kong.

 

Mr Chan said that Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” provides unique strategic advantages for the firm’s expansion into Central Asia.

 

“Central Asian countries lack direct physical access to undersea cables. While Hong Kong has the world’s highest density network of submarine cable landing stations and international data exchange centres, the company utilises this advantage to seamlessly connect Central Asia’s terrestrial optical cable system to Hong Kong. This allows Central Asian data to reach major global economies via the shortest route.”

 

He also highlighted the region’s young population and explosive demand for information, observing that these signal immense potential. For Central Asia, digital services also contribute to local development.

 

In addition to making specific local investments, the operator also works with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s GoGlobal Task Force to facilitate the globalisation of Mainland telecoms equipment, technical standards and service solutions.

 

Mr Chan pointed out that Central Asia only launched 5G in 2023, while the 5G market in the Chinese Mainland is relatively mature.

 

“As the Central Asian region has more mining industries, the company hopes to drive local enterprises to utilise 5G services with the Mainland’s smart mining solutions.”

 

Moreover, the company hopes to link the Greater Bay Area, Central Asia and Europe by constructing cross-border digital economy and logistics networks and developing opportunities along Belt & Road Initiative countries and regions.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee will lead a delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June, a move the investment industry believes will open new markets for Hong Kong businesses and boost regional economic links.

 

Asset management company representative Cliff Zhang, who is part of the delegation, has previously accompanied the Chief Executive on two visits to the Middle East. His company signed an agreement with Oman last September to launch that country’s first energy transition fund.

 

Mr Zhang said several collaborations are expected to be announced during the Central Asia trip, including joint investments with the Oman Investment Authority.

 

He noted that Middle Eastern governments and institutions are optimistic about the vast potential of the Central Asian market. He emphasised that Hong Kong can serve as a vital bridge connecting the Chinese Mainland, the Middle East and Central Asia.

 

“It is essentially leveraging the capital from the Middle East which has the desire and the interest to invest more in Central Asia which has the market and the market opportunities,” Mr  Zhang said.

 

“Countries of the Middle East need the Chinese and the Asian companies to bring their products, their technology, their services to those markets,” he added.

 

“That is where Hong Kong plays a role in connecting the dots, being a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” in bringing everybody together.”

 

Mr Zhang highlighted Central Asia’s unique economic advantages, emphasising its young population, abundant natural resources and strategic position between Asia and Europe.

 

While noting that the distinct strengths and investment landscapes of Central Asia and the Middle East cannot be directly compared, he sees significant opportunities ahead.

 

Mr Zhang said that Central Asia offers greater scope for co-operation, particularly across the real estate, energy and infrastructure sectors.

 

“I think Central Asia is a gold mine that is at its early stage of development and opening up,” he said.

 

Mr Zhang added that Central Asia requires more technology and investment from partners in infrastructure and property development, for example.

 

“I definitely see that the demand in the property space is a very real one,” he noted. “That is also one of the areas where we think Hong Kong enterprises have a very strong capability, given Hong Kong is also one of the major property markets globally.”

 

Beyond housing, Central Asia’s demand for hotels, office buildings and shopping malls is rising rapidly.

 

Mr Zhang pointed out that major expanding cities such as Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, and Tashkent in Uzbekistan, are all keen to leverage Hong Kong’s expertise in urban planning and public transport management.

 

He added that Central Asia faces enormous investment needs for mineral and natural gas processing facilities while actively developing renewable energy sources.

 

At the same time, local demand for professional services such as finance and healthcare continues to grow.

 

Asked how to draw lessons from the Middle East, Mr Zhang observed that Central Asia’s predominantly Muslim population shares cultural ties with the Middle East.

 

He also stressed that establishing a local team is essential when entering new markets to accurately gauge policy directions and foster mutual trust. Having already set up an office in the Middle East, his company plans to adopt a similar model in Central Asia.

 

He added that this Central Asian delegation is the largest organised by the current-term Government, surpassing last year’s Middle East mission, and features an increased presence of representatives from Chinese Mainland companies.

 

“This symbolises the further deepening of joint efforts to venture into the global market between the two,” Mr Zhang said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (May 25) that it has received notification from the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland of two confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) cases who had high-risk contact in Hong Kong under the joint prevention and control mechanism. The CHP has immediately carried out follow-up actions and epidemiological investigation. The CHP urged the public to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccination. 

According to the investigation results from the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland, the first case involved a 28-year-old male who developed a fever and painful swelling in the groin area on May 8. During his incubation period, he visited a premises called “Hutong” on Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, on May 3, and had high-risk contacts there. The second case involved a 30-year-old male who developed a rash over his bilateral lower limbs on May 15. During his incubation period, he visited the above-mentioned premises on May 1 and May 3 respectively and had high-risk contacts there. Although the two patients did not know each other, they both stayed for several hours at this premises during the same period on May 3. Their samples collected after the onset of symptoms tested positive for Mpox. Both patients are now receiving medical treatment in stable condition in the Chinese Mainland.

The CHP considers that the two patients may have been infected through high‑risk contact with a person infected with Mpox at the premises. The CHP has visited the premises for an on‑site inspection and commenced contact tracing. The CHP has attempted to obtain a list of customers who had visited the premises on that day, but the person-in-charge of the premises was unable to provide the relevant customer information. The CHP already has provided health education to the staff of the premises. To date, all staff members remain asymptomatic. 

The CHP has set up a telephone hotline (2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). The CHP appeals to the members of the public who have visited the concerned premises on Shanghai Street since May 1, especially those who have had sexual contact with strangers there, to call the Mpox telephone hotline as soon as possible, to facilitate the CHP to provide health assessments and advice. The CHP will arrange persons with relevant symptoms to have testing. The CHP has also reminded healthcare professionals of the Hospital Authority and the Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) under the CHP that, if a patient is found to have compatible symptoms and has visited the concerned premises, arrangements should be made for the patient to undergo testing. 

The CHP’s contact tracing and investigation into the source of infection are still ongoing. It will maintain close liaison with the health authorities of the Chinese Mainland, and exchange information on the relevant epidemiological investigations and contact‑tracing work.

Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 86 Mpox cases (69 local cases and 17 imported cases), including the two above-mentioned cases. All patients were males. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had history of high-risk sexual behaviour, including having sex with strangers or having sex without wearing condoms. 

Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.

     Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for high‑risk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:
 

1. individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;
2. healthcare workers responsible for caring for patients with confirmed Mpox;
3. laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and
4. animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.

     High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH’s SocHS (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH’s Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre.

Meanwhile, the DH’s Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority’s Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

For more details, please visit the CHP’s page on Mpox and Mpox Vaccination Programme.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to US President Trump’s comments to media regarding Taiwan

May 15, 2026  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted US President Donald Trump’s media interview and comments aboard Air Force One regarding Taiwan. 
 
It is readily apparent that since the Trump administration assumed office, President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other high-level officials have reiterated on numerous occasions that the long-standing and consistent policy of the United States regarding Taiwan remains unchanged. They have also emphasized the importance that the United States attaches to regional peace and stability and to maintaining the status quo. To date, the Trump administration has approved two arms sales to Taiwan and continues to work with Taiwan and regional partners to jointly safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. 
 
The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent democratic country. It is widely acknowledged that military threats from China are the only source of regional instability. China has engaged in relentless and substantial military expansionism and attempted to project power globally. People’s Liberation Army aircraft and vessels frequently conduct exercises around the Taiwan Strait—including a variety of gray-zone and military harassment tactics. The key to preserving regional peace and stability is an effective, joint deterrence against Beijing, which is currently the greatest danger to regional peace and stability. Therefore, Taiwan’s primary and overriding mission is to strive to uphold the status quo and demonstrate its resolve for self-defense, protecting the freedom and democracy of its 23 million people and ensuring that cross-strait security and stability are not threatened or undermined. 
 
US arms sales to Taiwan are not only an explicitly stated US security commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act, but they are also a joint deterrent against regional threats. Taiwan thanks President Trump for supporting security across the Taiwan Strait since his first term. The value of the most recently announced arms sale package was the highest ever. Close Taiwan-US cooperation has always been the cornerstone of cross-strait peace. 
 
Taiwan is the most important nexus of defense in the first island chain and a key driver of global economic prosperity. Taiwan will continue to staunchly defend the regional status quo and bolster cooperation with the United States and other democratic partners worldwide to establish effective deterrent capabilities and collectively address the risks that authoritarian regimes pose to geopolitical security, the international order, and global stability.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to media inquiries regarding comments on Taiwan attributed to Chinese leader Xi

May 14, 2026  According to Chinese state media reports on the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Xi Jinping said that the Taiwan question was the most important issue in China-US relations, and that if not handled properly, there would be clashes and even conflicts between the two countries, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy. He further stated that safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait was the biggest common denominator between China and the United States.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly states that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China are subordinate to the other. China has no right to make any pronouncements on behalf of Taiwan on the international stage.

China has consistently engaged in various forms of gray-zone harassment and military threats in the East and South China Seas, the Taiwan Strait, and areas around Taiwan. Even as the leaders of the United States and China were meeting, the People’s Liberation Army continued to dispatch military aircraft and vessels in areas around the Taiwan Strait. China currently poses the only risk to regional peace and stability.

As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to closely cooperate with the United States and other like-minded countries to jointly maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and uphold freedom, openness, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​An incoming passenger was sentenced to 80 days of imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (May 25) for possessing duty-not-paid cigars and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 41, at the Hong Kong International Airport on May 22 and seized about 8.7 kilograms of duty-not-paid cigars, with an estimated market value of about $331,000 and a duty potential of about $37,000, from his 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, cigars are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid cigars 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).