MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs today (October 7) detected a suspected smuggling case involving an outgoing cross-boundary private car at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and seized 20 700 suspected pharmaceutical products with an estimated market value of about $450,000.

Based on risk assessment, Customs today intercepted an outbound private vehicle at the above-mentioned Port. Upon inspection, the batch of suspected pharmaceutical products was found concealed inside several black plastic bags placed in the boot of the vehicle.

After an investigation, Customs arrested a 37-year-old female driver suspected to be connected with the case. She was charged with one count of attempting to export unmanifested cargo and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 8).

Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

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 Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 7) urged the public not to consume a batch of prepackaged cheese imported from France due to possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The trade should stop using or selling the affected product immediately if they possess it.

     Product details are as follows:

Product name: Camembert Bertrand Crémier 250g
Place of origin: France
Pack size: 250 grams
Use-by date: October 17, 2026
Batch number: 232511
Importer: Repertoire Culinaire Hong Kong Limited

     “The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product is under recall due to possible contamination with STEC. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned,” a spokesman for the CFS said. 

     The importer has stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected batch of the product concerned and has initiated a recall according to the CFS’s instructions. Members of the public may call its hotline at 3758 2754 during office hours with any enquiries about the recall.

     “People can contract STEC-causing gastro-intestinal disease through consumption of contaminated water or undercooked and contaminated foods. Intestinal bleeding and serious complications such as hemolytic uraemic syndrome may also develop in some people,” the spokesman said.

      The CFS has alerted the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, at the Celebrating Hong Kong’s Tourism and Hospitality Excellence event today (October 7):

Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dr Peter Lam), Sonia (Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group, Ms Sonia Cheng), distinguished guests, industry leaders, friends from the travel industry, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I am delighted to be invited to join so many distinguished leaders from the tourism and hospitality sector this evening to celebrate the achievements of our industry. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Rosewood Hotel Group for cohosting tonight’s event.

We gather to celebrate the outstanding achievements that continue to solidify Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s world city and the world’s most prestigious travel destination. The global rankings speak for themselves. Leading the way is our gracious host, Rosewood Hotel Group, which has been honoured with the Most Admired Hotel Group Award; while Rosewood Hong Kong has retained its global No. 1 title in the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026. This is an exceptional double distinction and a powerful testimony of Rosewood’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Rosewood’s success is part of an outstanding showing by Hong Kong’s hospitality sector, with five of our hotels standing proudly among the world’s top 100 best hotels in 2026.

In gastronomy and mixology, six Hong Kong restaurants made Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026, while seven bars earned recognition in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026. Up in the skies, our home carrier Cathay Pacific was once again ranked among the top three World’s Best Airlines, along with receiving awards for the World’s Best Cabin Crew and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.

My warmest congratulations go to Rosewood, Cathay, and all the award winners. These awards do not come by chance. They are earned through continuous dedication and an unwavering commitment to quality. In a highly competitive global tourism landscape, it is the concerted efforts, resilience, and exceptional hospitality of the tourism and hospitality trade that truly set Hong Kong apart. It is your commitment to quality that defines the “Only in Hong Kong” experience, leaving a lasting impression on every traveller who sets foot in our city.

Building on this momentum, the Government is fully committed to providing the industry with our robust and unwavering backing. The Government has attached great importance to the strategic and long-term development of tourism in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030)) and the latest Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address. Amongst others, the Government will regularise the additional annual funding provided to the Hong Kong Tourism Board for hosting flagship events, so as to allow the Hong Kong Tourism Board to exercise greater strategic foresight in its planning for long-term, forward-looking promotional strategies.

A prime example of these forward-looking promotional strategies is our new mega-event framework. To solidify Hong Kong’s reputation as the events capital of Asia, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will demarcate three themed periods every year, namely the International Arts Season, running from February to May; the Chinese Arts Season, from June to September; and the Festive Mega Events Season, from October through February of the following year. Leveraging this new framework, we aim to significantly boost visitor spending and extend their length of stay in Hong Kong, bringing benefits to every facet of the tourism and hospitality industry.

Ladies and gentlemen, while policy initiatives and government funding lay the foundation, it is your passion, creativity, and pursuit of excellence that bring these strategies to life. You transform them into an all-round and multidimensional quality travel experience for every visitor. The world-class recognitions we celebrate tonight prove beyond doubt that Hong Kong’s hospitality standards remain unrivalled on the global stage.

As we look ahead, the Government will continue to walk hand in hand with the trade. We will continue to sharpen our competitive edge, nurture and develop our tourism products, and welcome the world with open arms and open hearts.

Thank you once again for your extraordinary partnership, your leadership, and your dedication to making Hong Kong shine. To enable visitors experience only in Hong Kong. Please enjoy this wonderful evening while sampling the level of excellence we are all so proud of.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 8) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index (MGI) for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in September was 5.2 per cent, lower than the 6.6 per cent in August. This reflects the continued efforts by the FEHD and relevant government departments to intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations, resulting in the improvement of the overall mosquito infestation situation this month.

     In September, among the 62 survey areas, the area gravidtrap index (AGI) in one area exceeded the alert level of 20 per cent. The decreases in the MGI and the AGI are attributable to the continuous and intensified mosquito prevention and elimination operations by various government departments and stakeholders, and may also have been affected by factors such as weather. Overall, the MGI for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in September was 5.2 per cent, at Level 2 (indicating the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the survey areas was fairly extensive). Relevant departments and stakeholders will persistently intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, announced today (October 8) the relevant per annum interest rate for the fourth interest payment of Silver Bond Series due 2027 (Issue Number: 03GB2710R) (the Bonds) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme.
 
According to the Issue Circular dated September 30, 2024, for the Bonds, the fourth interest payment of the Bonds is scheduled to be made on October 23, 2026, and the relevant interest rate is scheduled to be determined and announced on October 8, 2026, as the higher of the prevailing Floating Rate and Fixed Rate. 
 
On October 8, 2026, the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate are as follows:
 
Floating Rate: +1.80 per cent (Annex)
Fixed Rate: +4.00 per cent
 
Based on the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate set out above, the relevant interest rate for the fourth interest payment is determined and announced as 4.00 per cent per annum.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 7) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns with members of the North District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health, the Housing Department (HD) and the Hong Kong Police Force at Choi Yuen Estate and Ching Ho Estate in Sheung Shui. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System.

     Customs officers patrolled the housing estates and introduced to residents Customs’ enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes, and reminded them that the maximum penalty for offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes has been increased 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 members of the District Council, residents, and newspaper 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 distinguishment 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

     Local young dizi performer Candy Yau will give a recital in November under the “Hong Kong Artists” Series presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Showcasing the unique allure of three types of dizi—the bangdi, qudi and dadi—she will be joined by six long-standing musical collaborators. Through a rich combination of wind, plucked, bowed and percussion instruments alongside piano accompaniment, the performance will lead music lovers on a vibrant journey capturing the diverse musical landscapes of the country. 

     The repertoire in the first half of the recital revolves around a thematic progression of regional colours moving “from subtle to intense”. The performance will open with the Zhejiang-style piece “Wujiang Scenery”. It will then transition into a Cantonese music five-piece combo performance of the suite “The Lion Dance, Stepping High, Billowing Waves”, capturing the spirited essence of Lingnan music. This will be followed by “Oasis”, where the dialogue between dizi and hand drum heightens the passionate, exotic rhythms of Xinjiang. The first half will conclude with “Welcoming Relatives in a Mountain Village”, which draws inspiration from Shanxi opera music, and excerpts from “The Song of Flight” with piano accompaniment, infused with ethnic musical elements from southwestern China, weaving a brilliant dialogue between Chinese and Western music.

     The second half will open with Yau leading “Late Autumn Memories”. She will then perform the classic “Birds in Shade”, which is adapted from Hebei suona music. Next will come the contemporary masterpiece “Wilderness”, expressing an enduring aspiration and praise towards wonderful things in the world. This will be followed by the traditional dizi piece “Three Five Seven”, accompanied by the bangu (clapper drum) to fully manifest the musical charm of Zhejiang Wu opera. The recital will culminate with “Horizon”, crafting a breathtaking picture of soaring eagles over snow-capped mountains with nimble, ethereal flute notes, bringing this dizi journey to a perfect end.

     The six local musicians joining Yau in this recital are Chan Kai-him and Lam Pui-kuen (huqin), Chan Wing-hei (yangqin), Chan Sze-tung (ruan), Lo Hok-chun (percussion) and Liu Tsz-shing (piano). 

     Yau graduated with distinction from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a Master of Music degree, majoring in the dizi under the tutelage of Principal Dizi of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Sun Yongzhi, and was the Gold Award winner in the Professional Youth Group A at the 5th “Song Ting Cup” National Dizi and Xiao Competition. Yau is the founder of “Tubic”, an initiative dedicated to promoting and preserving traditional Chinese dizi and dongxiao music.

     The “Hong Kong Artists” Series 2026: Dizi Recital by Candy Yau Kwan-lam will be staged at 8pm on November 9 (Monday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $220 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and discount schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1987.html.

     The “Hong Kong Artists” Series of the LCSD aims to provide a platform for local artists to showcase their remarkable talent. Other recitals to be held in October include today (October 8)’s Saxophone Recital by Charles Ng and the Piano Recital by John Lee on October 27. Package discounts and group booking discounts are also available. For more information about the “Hong Kong Artists” Series 2026, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1985.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, proceeded to Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time) to continue his visit after attending the Global Precious Metals Conference in Sorrento, Italy. He visited three world-leading gold refineries, namely MKS PAMP, Argor-Heraeus SA and Valcambi SA, to encourage high-end precious metals businesses and high-standard gold refining facilities to establish a presence and expand their operations in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited, Mr Bryan Chan, also joined the visit.

Mr Hui first visited the MKS PAMP refinery in the morning. He met with its senior management, including the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Marwan Shakarchi, and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Emmett, followed by a tour to its vaulting facility and assay laboratory facility. MKS PAMP set up its third regional headquarters in Hong Kong last year to expand its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region through Hong Kong. During the meeting, the two parties discussed plans to leverage Hong Kong as a trading platform and further expand gold business in the region and on the Mainland.

Mr Hui and his delegation then visited the Argor-Heraeus SA refinery to learn about the latest developments in its application of artificial intelligence, blockchain and various analytical technologies in precious metals supply chain traceability and precision casting. Argor-Heraeus SA has been a pillar in Hong Kong’s precious metals refining ecosystem with its trading office and refinery facility operating in the city for decades. At his meeting with its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Robin Kolvenbach, Mr Hui told Dr Kolvenbach that Hong Kong has put forward a suite of targeted initiatives to foster the building of a modern and full-chain gold trading ecosystem. Coupled with the vast land supply and development potential brought about by the Northern Metropolis project, it is now an ideal time for the group to consider expanding business in Hong Kong and bringing to the city its advanced refining technology.

Before concluding his visit in Switzerland, Mr Hui toured the Valcambi SA refinery where he met its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Simone Knobloch, and other senior management. At the meeting, Valcambi SA disclosed that the company is planning a collaboration with Hong Kong’s sole steel producer Shiu Wing Steel to develop a gold refining and vaulting facility in Hong Kong.

Mr Hui said, “We are fully committed to developing a comprehensive gold trading ecosystem that integrates gold trading, clearing and settlement, storage, refining, and risk management all in Hong Kong. Refining is a crucial component of this ecosystem. Now that top-tier Swiss refiners are taking part or planning to participate in Hong Kong’s gold business, it definitely gives a massive boost to our efforts in gaining international recognition and elevating industry standards. Building on the current strong momentum in gold market development, the Government will continue our proactive approach in exploring policy support measures with a view to attracting more international precious metals enterprises to establish presence and Asia-Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong.”

Mr Hui has completed his visit to Switzerland. He will be back to Hong Kong this evening (October 8).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Police Force’s National Security Department arrested a man and woman in Kowloon on October 6 on suspicion of “doing with a seditious intention an act that had a seditious intention” under Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

The two arrested individuals, both 38,  including a male licensed insurance broker, were suspected of operating pages on various social media platforms and publishing seditious posts that incited hatred against the constitutional order of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The arrested man also profited by selling insurance products.

Prior to the operation, the Police obtained court search warrants to search the residences of the suspects and seize relevant exhibits.

The two individuals will be released on bail for further investigation.