Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (October 23) that the application numbers of the 1 500 personalised vehicle registration mark applications selected by lot for the 58th exercise have been published on its website and posted on the notice boards of the TD’s licensing offices.

     “The applicants have already been sent an acknowledgement of receipt bearing an application number. They may check the list to see whether their applications have been selected. Applicants will also be notified of the ballot results by post in batches,” the department spokesman said.

     For enquiries, applicants can call the TD Hotline at 2804 2600. read more

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 22) detected a case involving a local company that conducted cash transactions of watches containing precious metals and stones valued at over HK$120,000 while not being a Category B registrant under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. The investigation is ongoing.

     According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs. 

     In particular, no person other than a Category B registrant may carry out a cash transaction with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in the course of business of dealing in precious metals and stones. Any dealer who is not a Category B registrant, who claims to be a Category B registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     Customs reminds dealers in precious metals and stones that they must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

     For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Customs’ webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

     Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration 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). read more

     The Primary School Roving Interactive Drama Series, jointly held by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Family Council, premiered at Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road) this afternoon (October 23), with approximately 350 students and parents in attendance.
           
     The Family Council adopted “Family: Harmony and Inclusivity” as this year’s publicity campaign theme, aiming to foster the acceptance of diversity, cultural inclusion and intergenerational harmony within families, and further promote positive family values ​​in the community, thereby building a harmonious and inclusive society while reinforcing the role of the family as the cornerstone of society.
           
     Focused on the theme of “Family: Harmony and Inclusivity”, the Primary School Roving Interactive Drama Series depicts the experiences and growth journey of the But’s Family as they take part in the Spinning Top Competition for Primary Schools. The characters in the drama evolve from pursuing only victory to gradually learning to listen, empathise, and take responsibility; and from fearing failure to being willing to try and embrace self-affirmation. The experiences portray the power of family members standing by and supporting one another. Traditional Chinese virtues such as propriety, righteousness, integrity, shamefulness, love and benevolence, as well as peace and inclusion, are woven throughout the entire drama. Through diverse and interactive approaches, the drama allows the audience to step into the characters’ situations and experience the importance of mutual respect and building consensus. The drama also highlights the importance of family strength, emphasising how the support and inclusivity of family members serve as a steadfast foundation when facing adversity. It also encourages the audience, especially young people, to practise virtues and demonstrate a spirit of benevolence, mutual support and positivity.
           
     Speaking at the premiere, the Commissioner for Women Affairs of the HYAB, Ms Joyce Chan, said that the interactive drama blends traditional virtues with creativity, aiming to spark audience’s interest and resonance. Besides promoting good family virtues, she also expressed her hope that the drama could inspire parents to guide their children towards positive, proactive and self-reliant values from an early age.
           
     Ms Chan also mentioned that the Chief Executive announced in the 2026 Policy Address that the HYAB and the Family Council will organise the Hong Kong Excellent Family Awards again to promote good family values to the general public, inherit good family culture and virtues, and continuously inject positive energy into society.
           
     Delivering a speech at the event, the Chairperson of the Family Council, Ms Melissa Pang, said that the interactive drama aims to promote the importance of traditional virtues, harmony and inclusivity to the younger generation, allowing positive family values to take root in households, extend to schools, and enrich society.
           
     The interactive drama series will tour primary schools across Hong Kong, with around 70 performances staged from this month until March next year, promoting the strength of family and a culture of harmony and inclusivity to students.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

      The Legislative Council (LegCo) Members met with the Wan Chai District Council (DC) and Tuen Mun DC members at the LegCo Complex today (October 23). They held in-depth discussions and exchanged views on issues related to community development and people’s concern.

     During the meeting with the Wan Chai DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including leveraging the commercial and tourism strengths of Wan Chai District through organising featured events to attract visitors, create business opportunities and drive local economic development; enhancing barrier-free facilities and organising leisure, culture and recreational activities while continuously attending to the needs of the elderly in their daily travel and community life to build an elderly-friendly community; as well as elevating the quality of existing public open spaces in the district and expanding promenade areas to provide more leisure venues incorporated with new elements.

     LegCo Members will continue to liaise closely with the DC and the Government on issues regarding stimulating the economic development of Wan Chai District, strengthening support for elderly services and creating a friendly living environment, and further developing promenade, with a view to conveying public views.

     The meeting was convened by Dr Hoey Simon Lee. A total of 32 Members attended the meeting, including Ms Elizabeth Quat, Mr Shiu Ka-fai, Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mr Stanley Ng, Mr Chau Siu-chung, Dr David Lam, Mr Lam Chun-sing, Ms Nixie Lam, Mr Dennis Leung, Mr Rock Chen, Mr Chan Yung, Mr Chan Siu-hung, Ms Chan Hoi-yan, Ms Joephy Chan, Ms Carmen Kan, Professor Chan Wing-kwong, Mr Aaron Bok, Ms Christine Fong, Mr Chu Lap-wai, Mr Ng Wun-kit, Mr Wu Yingpeng, Dr Webster Ng, Mr Lam Wai-kong, Captain Lothair Lam, Professor Alex Fan, Mr Andrew Fan, Mr Albert Chuang, Mr Jonathan Leung, Mr Ray Wong, Ms Elaine Chik, and Dr Thomas So.

     As regards the meeting with the Tuen Mun DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including enhancing local transport facilities and introducing technologies to reduce congestion caused by traffic accidents and facilitate traffic diversion; exploring the positioning and impacts of Lung Kwu Tan reclamation and the re-planning of Tuen Mun West as a “Smart and Green Industrial Port”; and increasing the provision of community facilities, particularly recreational and sports facilities and healthcare services.

     LegCo Members will continue to follow up with the DC and the Government on matters relating to the transport planning in Tuen Mun District, the implementation progress of the Lung Kwu Tan reclamation and Tuen Mun West development, and the provision of additional community and recreational facilities. Members will also continue to reflect public views through the relevant Panels.

     The meeting was convened by Mr Holden Chow. A total of 33 Members attended the meeting including Dr Chan Han-pan, Ms Elizabeth Quat, Dr Junius Ho, Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mr Chau Siu-chung, Mr Lam Chun-sing, Ms Nixie Lam, Mr Andrew Lam, Mr Dennis Leung, Mr Rock Chen, Mr Chan Yung, Mr Chan Siu-hung, Ms Chan Hoi-yan, Ms Joephy Chan, Mr Kingsley Wong, Mr Tang Fei, Ms Christine Fong, Mr Wu Yingpeng, Mr Ken Lee, Captain Lothair Lam, Mr Andrew Yao, Professor Alex Fan, Mr Chan Cho-kwong, Ms Kwok Fu-yung, Mr Albert Chuang, Mr Chong Ho-fung, Mr Jonathan Leung, Mr Ray Wong, Ms Julia Lau, Mr Lau Ka-keung, Professor Michael Ngai and Dr Thomas So. 

        

     Two incoming passengers were sentenced to four weeks’ to six months’ imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 to $4,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (October 23) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) (Cap. 109). One of them was also found to be importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO) (Cap. 60).

     Customs officers intercepted a 39-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on October 21, and seized 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 21 600 alternative smoking products from his personal baggage. The estimated market value of the seizures is about $83,000 with a duty potential of about $600. He was immediately arrested, and was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment with a fine of $4,000 today.

     Customs officers also intercepted a 31-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 22), and seized about 73 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $330,000 and a duty potential of about $240,000, from his personal baggage. He was also immediately arrested, and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 today.

     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

     Customs reminds members of the public and travellers that under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, 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.

     Additionally, 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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).