Author Archives: hksar gov

     In response to the Japanese Government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on February 4 to noon today (February 5), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 242 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt” category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO’s website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24, 2023, to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 113 624 samples of food imported from Japan (including 74 333 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 26 372 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more

     Hong Kong Customs detected two cases of tobacco products smuggling activities involving containers in Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun on January 27. A total of about 5 800 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and about 5.9 million of suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $65 million and a duty potential of about $43 million in total were seized.

     In the first case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs on January 27 selected and inspected a 40-foot container, arriving from Singapore to Hong Kong and declared as carrying cosmetics, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 3.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside the container.

     In the second case, Customs at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound on the same day examined a 40-foot container, arriving in Hong Kong from Guangdong and declared as carrying household goods. A total of about 5 800kg of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and about 2.5 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized therein.

     Investigations into the two cases are ongoing, and Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the illicit cigarettes.

     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions to combat the smuggling of illicit cigarettes. 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.
      
     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two 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/).

  

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) hosted a reception in Sydney, Australia, yesterday (February 4) to celebrate Chinese New Year.

     Over 300 guests from various sectors including political and business circles, media, academic and community groups as well as government representatives attended the Sydney reception. Among them was the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, Mr Wang Yu. The Chairman of the M+ Board, Chairman of the Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Company Limited and Vice Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board, Mr Bernard Chan, was invited as the keynote speaker to share with the guests the vibrant arts and cultural scenes in Hong Kong.

     The Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, said in his welcoming remarks that both Hong Kong and Australia embrace free trade, rule of law, and multiculturalism as core values, under which Hong Kong and Australia’s bilateral trade, investment situation and people-to-people ties flourish. New South Wales, in particular, has long been a significant partner for Hong Kong in the finance, trade, tourism, and education sectors.

     “As we celebrate Chinese New Year, let us also reflect on how our collaboration can grow even stronger. With Hong Kong serving as the ‘super connector’ with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Mainland China, the opportunities for Australian businesses are unprecedented. Together, we can explore new horizons and ensure our partnership continues to thrive,” Mr Chong added.  

     In his keynote speech, Mr Chan introduced to guests the various world class venues in the West Kowloon Cultural District, including M+ museum, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Xiqu Centre, as well as their partnerships with over 20 of the top arts and cultural institutions in the world. He also shared about the vibrant activations and inspiring exhibitions in Tai Kwun – a centre for arts, culture and heritage. Mr Chan will also speak at the Chinese New Year reception to be hosted by the Sydney ETO in Melbourne tomorrow (February 6).

     In addition to the Sydney and Melbourne receptions, the Sydney ETO will also host Chinese New Year receptions in Brisbane (February 13), Perth (February 18) and Adelaide (February 20) in Australia, and Auckland (February 25) in New Zealand, to celebrate the Year of the Snake with local communities.

          

     The Transport Department (TD) today (February 5) announced that two auctions of personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be held on February 22 (Saturday) and 23 (Sunday) in Meeting Room N101, L1, New Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
 
     “A total of 240 approved PVRMs will be put up for public sale at each auction. The lists of the marks have been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.
 
     The reserve price of each of these marks is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.
 
     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auctions should take note of the following points:
 
(1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after successful bidding:
 
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser (if the purchaser and the successful bidder are different persons);
(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 may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card 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 PVRM immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted.
 
(3) A PVRM 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 PVRM on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.
 
(5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed.
 
(6) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the PVRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the PVRM within 12 months, allocation of the PVRM will be cancelled and arranged for reallocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
 
     “Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman added.
 
     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRM, which is available at the department’s licensing offices or can be downloaded from its website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html. read more

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (February 5) that a set of special stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of “Public Architecture in Hong Kong II” will be released for sale on February 20 (Thursday).
      
     Public architecture is closely related to the daily lives of people. Following the “Public Architecture in Hong Kong” special stamps issued in 2016, Hongkong Post will present a set of six stamps and associated philatelic products themed “Public Architecture in Hong Kong II”. The stamps, which feature six distinctive public buildings, namely Che Kung Temple Sports Centre, Oi!, Woosung Street Temporary Cooked Food Hawker Bazaar, GREEN@WAN CHAI, Tai Po Lung Mei Beach Building and Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, highlight the innovative construction technologies and building designs that are inclusive and environmentally friendly.
            
     Official first day covers for “Public Architecture in Hong Kong II” will be on sale at all post offices and Hongkong Post’s online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from tomorrow (February 6), while postcards will be available at philatelic offices only. This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and ShopThruPost from February 20, while serviced first day covers affixed with the special stamps and maximum cards will be available at philatelic offices only.
      
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on February 20 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
      
     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk).