Press release: Foreign Secretary travels to Toronto for G7 meeting

Today and tomorrow (22nd and 23rd April) the Foreign Secretary will be in Toronto for a meeting of Foreign Ministers from the G7 countries. During the summit the Foreign Secretary will discuss issues ranging from gender equality and women’s empowerment, to non-proliferation and disarmament, to conflict prevention and stability. For the session on counter-extremism the Foreign Secretary will be joined by Home Office Security Minister Ben Wallace.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

I am proud to represent the UK at this meeting of the top economies and international powers in the world. Last week London hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, and later this week I will travel to Brussels for a NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

The UK and Canada are the only two countries that are members of all these organisations – evidence not just the closeness of the UK-Canada relationship, but of the UK’s influence in the world. Influence that will continue long after we leave the European Union.

The G7 is a group of likeminded partners who work to protect the rules-based international system. I welcome unanimous G7 support in recent week both for the joint UK/US/French action in Syria, and for the UK’s response to the terrible poisonings in Salisbury. I look forward to continuing that work in Toronto this week.

Notes to editors

The G7 countries are the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. The EU, represented by High Representative Federica Mogherini, will also attend the meeting.

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LegCo joint-Panel concludes duty visit to Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (with photos)

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

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Economic Development, Panel on Financial Affairs, Panel on Commerce and Industry, and Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting concluded the three-day joint-Panel duty visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (Bay Area) today (April 22) and returned to Hong Kong in the evening.

In the morning, the delegation departed from Foshan to Guangzhou to visit EHang Intelligent Technology Company Limited, which is a high-technology innovative enterprise for intelligent drones. Members received a briefing from the company’s representative on the latest application technology of intelligent drones and observed a demonstration of the operation of a rideable autonomous drone.

The delegation then attended a seminar, themed “Advance the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area”, held by the Guangdong Provincial Government. Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Mr Zhong Ming, briefed Members on the role and work of the Guangdong Provincial Government in the development of the Bay Area. Members also discussed and exchanged views with the Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ouyang Weimin, who also attended the seminar, on the development of the Bay Area and a wide-range of topics such as technology, finance, professional services, tourism and manpower.

After that, the delegation received a briefing from representatives of the Guangzhou Municipal Government on the city planning of Guangzhou to learn about the latest development of Guangzhou.

The delegation also met with the Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou Municipality, Mr Chen Zhiying. Members took the chance to further understand the co-operation opportunities between Guangzhou and Hong Kong in the Bay Area.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the cultural landmarks in the Zhujiang New Town. Members first took a ride on electric vehicles to tour around the compound of the Zhujiang New Town, including Canton Tower, Guangzhou Library, Guangdong Museum and Guangzhou No.2 Children’s Palace. They then visited the Experimental Theater and the Opera Hall of Guangzhou Opera House.

The delegation then visited Guangzhou South Station to see for themselves the latest development of the high-speed rail network. After receiving a briefing on Guangdong Province and the Mainland’s overall high-speed rail network at the platform, Members took a ride on the high-speed train from Guangzhou South Station to Futian Station in Shenzhen and experienced the train journey with speed close to 300 kilometers per hour.

The delegation returned to Hong Kong in the evening and concluded its three-day duty visit.

In summing up the duty visit, the delegation leader Mr Jeffrey Lam, who is also the Chairman of the Panel on Economic Development, said at Guangzhou South Station, “The visit programme of the three-day duty visit to the Bay Area is substantial and the result is significant. Through visiting various enterprises, including the innovative technology and start-up business, as well as meeting and exchanging views with representatives of the local Governments, Members have further understanding on the development of the Bay Area.”

Mr Lam added that Members joining the duty visit believed that it would enhance the mutual understanding between Guangdong and Hong Kong. Members were also grateful for the exchange opportunity.

On behalf of the delegation, Mr Lam expressed gratitude to the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Innovation,the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, and Technology Bureau, the Guangdong Provincial Government and related units, as well as the five Municipal Governments in Guangdong Province for their thoughtful assistance that made the duty visit concluded smoothly.

The LegCo Panel on Economic Development, Panel on Financial Affairs, Panel on Commerce and Industry, and Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting conducted a three-day joint-Panel duty visit to five cities in the Bay Area between April 20 and 22. The delegation has a total of 32 Members. Apart from the delegation leader Mr Lam, other participating Panel Members included the Chairman of Panel on Commerce and Industry, Mr Wu Chi-wai; the Chairman of Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr Charles Mok; the Chairman of Panel on Financial Affairs, Mr Kenneth Leung; the Deputy Chairman of Panel on Financial Affairs, Mr Christopher Cheung; the Deputy Chairman of Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting, Dr Elizabeth Quat; the Deputy Chairman of Panel on Economic Development, Mr Alvin Yeung; the Deputy Chairman of Panel on Commerce and Industry, Mr Shiu Ka-fai; Mr Chan Kin-por; Mrs Regina Ip; Mr Paul Tse; Mr Michael Tien; Mr Steven Ho; Mr Yiu Si-wing; Mr Ma Fung-kwok; Mr Dennis Kwok; Mr Martin Liao; Ir Dr Lo Wai-kwok; Mr Jimmy Ng; Mr Holden Chow; Ms Yung Hoi-yan; Mr Chan Chun-ying; and Mr Lau Kwok-fan as well as non-Panel members Professor Joseph Lee, Mr Leung Che-cheung, Dr Helena Wong, Mr Ip Kin-yuen, Mr Poon Siu-ping, Mr Ho Kai-ming, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Kenneth Lau and Mr Vincent Cheng.

Four Directors of Bureaux conclude LegCo joint-Panel duty visit to Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (with photos)

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, continued the duty visit with Legislative Council (LegCo) Members in Guangzhou today (April 22), last day of the LegCo joint-Panel duty visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (Bay Area).

The delegation first visited a high-tech enterprise specialising in developing intelligent aerial vehicles in Guangzhou this morning to learn about the application of unmanned aerial vehicles and watched a demonstration of the operation of aerial vehicle.

Thereafter, the group attended an exchange session organised by the Guangdong Provincial Government in which they were briefed by the Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ouyang Weimin, on Guangdong Province’s efforts in fostering the development of Bay Area. They also met with the Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou Municipality, Mr Chen Zhiying, to exchange views on the co-operation areas between Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Before concluding the visit, the delegation visited the cultural facilities of Zhujiang New Town and Guangzhou South Station, the largest railway transport hub in Southern part of the Mainland.

In making his concluding remarks, Mr Nip said that the delegation had visited five cities in the Bay Area, covering over 10 visiting spots, meeting with government officials of province and municipalities, and attending an exchange session in this three-day joint-Panel duty visit. He believed that the participating LegCo Members had gained a better understanding of the development of the Bay Area.

He said that the development of the Bay Area was a key national development strategy and a golden opportunity to inject new impetus to Hong Kong’s economy. He hoped that members of the community could seize the opportunities to understand more about development of Bay Area. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to reach out to stakeholders of various sectors to gauge their views on how to take forward the development plan of Bay Area.

In the evening, they took the high-speed train to Futian Station in Shenzhen and returned to Hong Kong by coach.

News story: Defence Secretary announces £80m Guardian to protect the skies

Known as Project Guardian, the new Air Command and Control System will support the continued early detection and rapid response to potential hostile or suspect aircraft that pose a threat to UK sovereignty, be that terrorists or state-based actors.

This project will see the current systems at RAF bases in the UK and Falkland Islands replaced with the new technology. It will allow the RAF to exercise command and control of UK and NATO fighters to intercept aggressive or suspect aircraft that are a threat. The RAF routinely intercept, identify and escort aircraft that transit international airspace within the UK’s area of interest and continue to be on call 365 days a year.

Since 2013 RAF jets have launched 68 times to intercept or monitor suspect aircraft in the skies around Britain – half of these in response to Russian planes.

IBM Services in the UK is leading the way to develop and install the replacement system, with work being carried out by a dedicated team of specialists at IBM locations across the country.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

With hostile regimes such as President Putin’s Kremlin ripping up the international rulebook and terrorists still targeting our way of life, this cutting-edge technology gives our RAF the upper hand in the face of rapidly changing and intensifying global threats.

This investment will play a vital role in making sure our fighter pilots are primed and ready to keep Britain safe and to counter aggression from those who seek to cause us harm.

The Air Command and Control System is the computer system that takes in data to generate the Recognised Air Picture – a dynamic, real time depiction of aircraft in the airspace the UK control or patrol, with each being identified as friendly or hostile. The upgrades will continue improving the rapid exchange of real time command and control information and speed and accuracy of decision making.

The announcement comes as the RAF celebrates 100 years since its formation and demonstrates how the service is continuously looking at ways to design and innovate to meet the full spectrum of threats that the UK is currently facing.

The contract, which IBM UK won in competition, is for approximately £60 million with costed options that the MOD can exercise which would take the total value towards £80 million. It represents a continuation of IBM UK supplying the equipment to UK armed forces and includes five years of support services following the installations.

Director Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance, Dr Simon Dakin, of the MOD’s procurement organisation, Defence Equipment and Support, said:

Guardian will provide a new Air Command and Control system connecting the UK’s defence network of radars and radio and delivering several new capabilities to improve communication and interoperability between UK, NATO and coalition aircraft, vital to the protection of the UK’s skies.

Group Captain Steven Blockley, director of the RAF’s Director, National Air Defence and Space Operations, said:

The new system provides a quantum leap in technology and information exchange for the personnel charged with the Defence of the Homeland and will ensure that future homeland operations are conducted with equipment befitting the RAF as it reaches its 100th year. The equipment will ensure that new digital technologies, along with new requirements for future capabilities, will also allow us to seamlessly exchange data and threat information across the new RAF platforms, such as the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and F-35 Lightning II, as well as continue to integrate with our NATO colleagues to ensure the UK National mission to protect our skies and the NATO Air Policing task are met fully.

Hong Kong Customs combats counterfeit goods and unfair trade practices as well as rolls out more convenient crime reporting means (with photos)

     Hong Kong Customs conducted a territory-wide operation codenamed “Snow Leopard” yesterday (April 21) to combat the sale of suspected counterfeit smartphones and accessories as well as suspected engagement of unfair trade practices in selling smartphones. During the operation, 14 locations including 12 shops and two storage places were raided and a total of 100 smartphones with suspected false trademarks or with suspected false trade descriptions applied and about 3 400 pieces of suspected counterfeit smartphone accessories were seized with a total estimated market value of about $1.5 million. 18 men and a woman, aged between 21 and 48, were also arrested.

     Customs earlier received information alleging that some phone repairing shops sold suspected counterfeit smartphone accessories, and some shops were suspected to have engaged in unfair trade practices by selling old smartphones as brand new products, or selling parallel-imported smartphones as authorised products.

     After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs took enforcement action yesterday and raided 12 shops. A total of 36 smartphones with suspected false trade descriptions applied or with suspected false trademarks and about 3 000 pieces of suspected counterfeit smartphone accessories were seized. A total of 17 shop owners and salespersons were arrested.

     During the operation, Customs also cracked down on a syndicate in connection with export, supply and distribution of suspected counterfeit smartphones and accessories. A total of 64 suspected counterfeit smartphones and 330 pieces of suspected counterfeit smartphone accessories were seized at the storage places in Sham Shui Po and Tsing Yi. A 32-year-old male head and a 34-year-old female member of the syndicate were arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing and more people may be arrested.

     The Head of Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau, Ms Catherine Yip, said at a press conference today (April 22) that the successful detection of the case was attributed to the reporting by members of the public and the full assistance from trademark owners. Customs will continue with stringent enforcement and spare no effort in combating activities in connection with the sale of counterfeit goods and unfair trade practices.

     She said that Customs will step up inspection and enforcement with the approach of the Labour Day Golden Week in order to suppress activities in connection with the sale of counterfeit goods and unfair trade practices.

     Customs appeals to consumers to purchase products at reputable shops and to have a clear knowledge of product packaging and terms of warranty services as well as to inspect the goods in detail before making any purchases. Consumers should check with the trademark owners, manufacturers or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Invoices and receipts should also be kept.

     Customs also reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the Trade Description Ordinance (TDO). False claims of goods may constitute an offence under the TDO. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the TDO, any person who applies a false trade description to any goods or supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     In order to further facilitate members of the public to report crime information, Customs will put in place a dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) and provide a more comprehensive and convenient reporting means tomorrow (April 23).

Speaking at the same press conference, the Head of Intelligence Bureau, Ms Kitty Poon, told that the number of reports Customs received from members of the public has risen progressively for 21 per cent, from 31 994 in 2015 to 38 819 in 2017. Of all the reports received, the proportion received through email has increased from 30 per cent in 2015 to almost 40 per cent in 2017.

“The newly introduced email account is manned by dedicated Customs officers and prompt follow-up actions will be taken upon the receipt of information via the channel, providing members of the public a more convenient reporting means,” she said.

She added that in order to make it more convenient for informants to make reports through electronic means, an edit function will also be added simultaneously to the Crime Report (CED 358) to facilitate informants to input information directly into the form.

Members of the public can make a report if they find suspected activities involving smuggling, drug trafficking, selling or buying of illicit cigarettes, sale of infringing goods and violations of the TDO, etc. to Customs by the following channels:

Information Hotline (24-hour):(852) 2545 6182
Dedicated E-mail Account: crimereport@customs.gov.hk
Crime Report: CED 358
Fax: (852) 2543 4942
Mail: Commissioner of Customs and Excise G.P.O Box No. 1166

All information received by Customs will be kept in confidence.