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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan today hailed a new policy allowing the public to bring dogs into permitted restaurants as a remarkable breakthrough.

The measure takes effect today, granting customers access with their dogs to an initial batch of more than 940 permitted food premises across Hong Kong.

Mr Tse visited a permitted restaurant in the West Kowloon Cultural District this afternoon to observe the implementation of the policy and exchange views with operators and customers. 

“The restaurant has made thorough preparations in terms of hygiene facilities and seating arrangements, and we can see customers bringing dogs were co-operative,” Mr Tse said. “Everyone was beaming, feeling that this is a remarkable breakthrough.” 

He noted that permitted food premises are expected to demonstrate professionalism and self-discipline by strictly abiding by the laws and licensing conditions. Customers must also properly control their dogs and respect other diners to maintain a comfortable and harmonious dining environment.

To assist operators in adapting to the changes, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has deployed a dedicated 90-member team to visit each permitted establishment. The team provides managers with detailed explanations on statutory requirements, licensing conditions and other compliance arrangements. 

The department will step up visits over the coming month to monitor the implementation and assist the catering industry in complying with the regulations.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today announced the latest progress on the integrated development project for the proposed Pak Shek Kok (PSK) Station, which is expected to see construction commence in the second half of 2028. Target commissioning for the new station is set for 2033.

The proposed station will be located roughly mid-way between the Hong Kong Science Park and the existing Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) Sports Centre site. To unlock the development potential of the vicinity, the project involves reprovisioning the existing sports centre to a site at Tung Tsz on Ting Kok Road, adjacent to EdUHK’s main campus.

Following land resumption and clearance, construction of the sports centre will begin in the second half of 2028 for completion in 2031.  

The Development Bureau noted that because the project involves constructing a station on active running tracks, reprovisioning the sports centre, and upgrading infrastructure, it faces considerable engineering and financing challenges.

To take forward the project, a “station first, residential development later” approach will be adopted. 

The Government will finance the integrated development by granting property development rights to the MTR Corporation for two sites at Pak Shek Kok and Ma On Shan. Residential developments at these sites are expected to commence progressively from 2031 at the earliest.

The Chief Executive in Council has approved the Government inviting the MTR Corporation to proceed with detailed planning and design for the PSK Station project. The approval includes an agreement in principle to grant the property development rights to finance the station, sports centre reprovisioning, and infrastructure works.

The selected station site aims to serve the vast majority of current and future residential and working populations. Proposed works also include a barrier-free elevated footbridge spanning the Tolo Highway to connect the station with Chong San Road near the Science Park.

 The project will be presented to the Tai Po District Council for consultation tomorrow.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has released the second edition of the “Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong’s Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global”.

Compiling over 160 cases, the new series nearly triples the inaugural volume, showcasing Hong Kong’s capacity to provide comprehensive, full-chain, end-to-end support for Mainland businesses expanding internationally.

This publication builds upon the launch of the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform and the first series of the collection in December. Through this initiative, the DoJ aims to foster collaboration across vital professional sectors, such as accounting and finance, to jointly support Mainland enterprises.

Deputy Secretary for Justice and Chairman of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global Cheung Kwok-kwan noted that the second series covers a diverse array of cross-disciplinary practices, including the legal, accounting, financial and business consultancy sectors.

He added that these cases vividly demonstrate the unique value of Hong Kong’s professional services. They highlight three defining features: full business lifecycle coverage, representation across diverse industries, and global investment footprints.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs today (July 9) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns with members of the District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health and the Housing Department (HD) at Wah Lai Estate in Lai Chi Kok and Lai Tsui Court in Cheung Sha Wan. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System.

Customs officers patrolled the housing estates and introduced to residents Customs’ enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes and the latest amendments to illicit cigarette-related legislation, including an increase in the maximum penalty for offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes to a $2 million fine and seven years’ imprisonment. Customs also explained to estate security personnel how to deal with suspected illicit cigarette activities.
 
Customs officers also introduced to the members of the District Council, residents and cigarette retailers the Duty Stamp System to be implemented in Hong Kong. The three-month Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System launched by Customs concluded early this year. The department will continue to maintain close communication with all stakeholders and optimise the design and implementation details of the system. Customs expects the Duty Stamp System to achieve the ultimate goal of effective distinguishing of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat “cheap whites”.
 
Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise public awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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 are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotional leaflet). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public are also urged to report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflet distribution to TACO’s hotline 2961 8823.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Police today (July 9) laid a holding charge against a 50-year-old woman with one count of murder.

     The woman was arrested on July 7 in suspected connection with a murder case happened in Aberdeen on the same day, in which a 53-year-old woman died.

     The case will be mentioned at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (July 10) morning.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving an ocean-going vessel on June 28. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with an estimated market value of about $20 million was seized.
 
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use an ocean-going vessel to smuggle goods. Enforcement operations were thus formulated, with a suspicious container scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Australia via an ocean-going vessel being selected for inspection.
 
Upon examination, Customs officers found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including cigarettes, pharmaceutical products, liquors and household goods, from the abovementioned container, which was declared as carrying adapters, packaging boxes and bags, and drawstring bags.
 
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
 
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.
 
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
 
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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Labour Department (LD) today (July 9) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the requirements of the Code of Practice for EAs at all times.

The LD has revoked the EA licence of HelperFirst Limited in Sai Kung. The EA’s licence was revoked, as a related person of its licensee was earlier convicted of operating an EA without a valid licence. The EA’s appeal against the LD’s revocation of its EA licence was dismissed by the Administrative Appeals Board.

Under section 53(1)(d)(ii) of the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) (EO), the Commissioner for Labour may revoke the licence of an EA if he is satisfied that the licensee concerned or a related person of the licensee has contravened any provision of Part XII or any regulation made under section 62 of the EO. 

“The EO stipulates that the Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew a licence, or may revoke a licence, if he is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee of an EA, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, has contravened any provision of Part XII or any regulation made under section 62 of the EO, such as overcharging job seekers or operating an EA without a licence, or has not complied with the Code issued under section 62A(1) of the EO,” a spokesman for the LD said.

Should there be enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about suspected violations by EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region