Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $570,000 (with photo)
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Fo Tan this afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a 28-year-old man and found about 14 grams of suspected cannabis buds from him. He was then arrested. Customs officers later escorted the arrested man to his rented flat nearby for a search, and further seized about 2.8kg of suspected cannabis buds and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Sha Tin Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 8).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment. Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 20:49
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Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing / dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing / dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products
Customs officers intercepted three incoming male passengers aged 42, 38 and 31 at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (January 6). Customer officers seized about 45 000 and 44 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from the personal baggage of the 42-year-old and the 38-year-old passengers respectively, with both market values at about $200,000 and both duty potentials at about $150,000. Also, around 5 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes with a market value of about $26,000 and a duty potential of about $20,000, and 27 000 alternative smoking products and 31 alternative smoking product devices with a market value of about $81,000 were seized from the personal baggage of the 31-year-old passenger. All three passengers were subsequently arrested.
The 42 year-old and 38 year-old passengers were each sentenced to four months’ imprisonment by the court today in contravention of the DCO while the 31 year-old passenger was sentenced to 3 months’ imprisonment in contravention of the DCO and the IEO.
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, 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.hkIssued at HKT 20:26
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Tender awarded for site in Jordan Valley
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tender awarded for site in Jordan Valley(2) Chinawide Development Limited (Henderson Land Development Company Limited);
(3) Keen Point Limited;
(4) Noble Perfect Investments Limited (Kerry Properties Limited);
(5) Pacific Great International Limited (Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited);
(6) Strong Associate Limited (K. Wah International Holdings Limited); and
(7) Zarow Limited (Wheelock Properties Limited).Issued at HKT 19:05
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Two male drivers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Two male drivers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes
The two private cars were also seized. The total estimated market value of the cigarettes seized in the case was about $1.33 million, and the duty potential was about $880,000.Issued at HKT 19:05
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Driving licence issuance refined
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Transport Department announced today that starting from January 12, the Hong Kong Licensing Office (HKLO) at United Centre, Admiralty, will implement the Online Same-day Queue Ticket arrangement for applications for the direct issue of the Hong Kong Full Driving Licence.
This will fully replace the existing on-site ticketing arrangement, further streamlining application procedures, meeting increasing demand, and ensuring fair and orderly access to services for persons in need.
Due to the abuse of the on-site ticketing arrangement, to prevent queuing for direct issue applications affecting other licensing services while improving order management at the licensing office, the department will cease the on-site ticketing for direct issue applications starting from tomorrow.
From January 12 onwards, applicants or their agents may obtain tickets online through the Online Same-day Queue Ticket service.
The existing online appointment booking system for direct issue counter services remains unchanged, and applicants who have already booked appointments in advance may continue to visit the HKLO at their scheduled times to submit direct issue applications.
Regarding Online Same-day Queue Ticket arrangement, from January 12, the department will open the system at 7am on each working day to provide 300 same-day tickets.
Each ticket allows submission of one direct issue application for the designated applicant. Applicants must access the Online Same-day Queue Ticket system via the designated webpage to obtain a ticket on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants are required to input to the system information such as the first four digits/characters of the identification document number, English name, and mobile phone number.
Successful applicants will receive SMS notifications sent by #cefs@govhk and have to visit the HKLO counter at the specified timeslot stated in the message to submit their applications. Late arrivals or absentees will need to re-apply for a ticket through the system.
The department is also working closely with the Digital Policy Office to enhance the online appointment booking system for direct issue counter services, including the introduction of new authentication technologies and expansion of system capacity, with a view to fully implementing online appointment booking services as soon as possible and extending direct issue counter services to the other three Licensing Offices.
Jordan Valley site sold
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The tender for a site on Choi Hing Road, Jordan Valley has been awarded on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $1.61 trillion, the Lands Department announced today.
New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6674 at Choi Hing Road was awarded to King Virtue, a subsidiary of Sino Land Company and Great Eagle Holdings.
It has a site area of about 3,830 sq m and is designated for non-industrial purposes, excluding godown, hotel and petrol filling station.
The site’s minimum and maximum gross floor areas are 20,682 sq m and 34,470 sq m.
The purchaser has to construct a day activity centre and hostel for severely mentally handicapped persons, a supported hostel for mentally handicapped persons and a lay-by under the Conditions of Sale, however, the relevant gross floor area will be excluded.
Foreign Minister Lin leads delegation to Palau, witnesses fruits of bilateral cooperation
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
December 21, 2025No. 538Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung led an economic and trade delegation to the Republic of Palau from December 18 to 21. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited representatives from Taiwan’s tourism, electronics, healthcare, and green energy industries to join the delegation so that they could explore opportunities for collaboration in Palau.During the visit, Minister Lin called on Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr.; Minister of State Gustav Aitaro; and other senior officials. Minister Lin also witnessed the signing of an MOU by the president of a Taiwanese enterprise and the governor of Melekeok State on investment cooperation to launch Palau’s premier golf course, forming a concrete example of bilateral collaboration on advancing coprosperity.In recent years, Palau has actively promoted the blue economy and green tourism, which align closely with Taiwan’s philosophy on sustainable development. The two countries have continued to build mutual trust and exchanges over the past year through initiatives under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. In January of this year, Minister Lin, in his capacity as President Lai Ching-te’s special envoy, led an industry delegation to attend President Whipps’s inauguration, demonstrating the importance Taiwan attached to its diplomatic alliance with Palau and its resolve to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation. This May, President Whipps led a delegation to Taiwan to tour eco-friendly golf courses, green energy parks, and medical institutions, as well as to attend the launch ceremony of a zero-emissions vessel. His visit highlighted the strong emphasis Palau places on tourism, sustainable development, and healthcare.The delegation led by Minister Lin was highly regarded by the Palauan government. In addition to a welcome banquet hosted by President Whipps and the first lady, the members received a warm reception from cabinet officials, traditional leaders, members of the Senate and House of Delegates, and other dignitaries during this fact-finding mission.As Palau will host the Pacific Islands Forum next year, Taiwan will leverage this significant multilateral event to promote cooperation with like-minded nations and showcase to the international community the concrete results of coprosperity and mutual benefit shared by Taiwan and its Pacific allies.Minister Lin’s delegation successfully facilitated tangible investments by Taiwanese enterprises in Palau, serving as an exemplary model of public-private partnership. Minister Lin stated that MOFA would continue to encourage Taiwan’s private sector investment in diplomatic allies through the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. He also asserted that Taiwan would continue assisting Palau in further developing its smart healthcare, sports talent, clean energy, and sustainable tourism. The delegation showcased Taiwan’s active contributions to the Pacific region, using Taiwan’s to realize concrete outcomes in Palau that are seen by the world. (E)
MOFA welcomes statement by US State Department expressing concern over military exercises near Taiwan
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA welcomes statement by US State Department expressing concern over military exercises near Taiwan
Date：2026-01-02
Data Source：Department of North American Affairs
January 2, 2026 No. 004 In a statement issued on January 1, the United States Department of State expressed concern over China’s recent joint military exercises around Taiwan, which it said increased tensions. Adding to the concerns expressed by Japan, the Philippines, the European Union, Australia, and others, the statement by the United States once again demonstrates like-minded nations’ clear position in support of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses sincere appreciation for the US statement.Entitled “Response to China’s Military Exercise Near Taiwan,” the State Department’s press statement observed that China’s military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increased tensions unnecessarily. It urged Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue. The statement also stressed that the United States supported peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposed unilateral changes to the status quo, including by force or coercion.Minister Lin appreciates and thanks the US government for expressing concern over China’s actions, which have escalated tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan and the United States share such values and ideals as freedom and democracy. The statements issued by the governments and national parliaments of various nations in recent days have shown that maintaining Taiwan Strait peace and stability is the international consensus and a key interest for all concerned. The United Nations Charter clearly prohibits the threat or use of force. This principle applies equally to the waters of the Taiwan Strait and those along the first island chain.Taiwan will continue to work with the United States and other like-minded countries to defend the rules-based international order and jointly advance global and regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)
MOFA strongly refutes China’s false claims on international response to its military exercises
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
January 1, 2026No.003The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly refutes the false claims made by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a regular press conference on December 31, 2025, that dozens of countries had expressed support for China’s military exercises and that China disapproved of the serious concern shown by some other nations and organizations. China’s claims contravene the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and internationally recognized, objective facts. Furthermore, China’s military exercises defy the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force set out in the UN Charter.MOFA reiterates that the ROC (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other. Moreover, only the people of Taiwan have the authority to determine Taiwan’s future. China does not have the right to interfere.China’s recent, unwarranted military exercises around Taiwan constitute a blatant violation of the UN Charter’s prohibition on the threat or use of force, as well as another unilateral attempt to undermine the cross-strait status quo. China’s actions have severely affected cross-strait and regional security and stability and seriously disrupted international maritime and air traffic and regular trade exchanges, harming Taiwan and other nations while yielding no gain to China. As such, any nation, entity, or individual supporting China’s heavy-handed provocations is abetting illegal behavior, and will be judged accordingly by the international community. MOFA again expresses gratitude to the international community for its strong support in recent days. In particular, public statements by numerous diplomatic allies, as well as like-minded partners such as Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Lithuania, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and the European External Action Service, have all underscored the importance of cross-strait peace and stability and opposition to the use of force or coercion to alter the cross-strait status quo. This once again shows that Taiwan does not stand alone.MOFA calls on the international community to continue to support democratic Taiwan and jointly safeguard cross-strait peace and stability as well as the security of the Indo-Pacific region. It welcomes friends from the international community to visit Taiwan to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation and contribute to the maintenance of regional peace and stability. (E)
MOFA welcomes statement by Lithuanian Foreign Ministry expressing concern over China’s recent military activities around Taiwan
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA welcomes statement by Lithuanian Foreign Ministry expressing concern over China’s recent military activities around Taiwan
Date：2026-01-01
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
January 1, 2026No. 002The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania issued a statement on December 31, 2025, voicing concern over China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan that escalated cross-strait tensions. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses sincere gratitude for statements by Lithuania and other like-minded countries, which once again have staunchly supported cross-strait peace and stability.The statement by Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry pointed out that China’s recent military exercises not only had raised cross-strait tensions but also had threatened international peace and security. It further stressed that the Taiwan Strait remained strategically important for regional and global security. Lithuania also urged restraint from displays of force and unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and emphasized that all differences must be addressed through peaceful dialogue in accordance with international law. Minister Lin welcomes and appreciates the Lithuanian government’s expression of concern over China’s actions that have heightened cross-strait tensions. This highlights Taiwan and Lithuania’s shared values of freedom and democracy and underscores Lithuania’s staunch backing of the cross-strait status quo of peace and stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reiterates that Taiwan will continue to work with Lithuania and other like-minded countries to defend the rules-based international order and advance global and regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)