Tag Archives: China

     The Narcotics Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force is holding the “LOL Party 2026” anti-drug carnival at the East Lawn in the West Kowloon Cultural District for two consecutive days starting today (November 7) to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Leadership Institute on Narcotics (L.I.O.N.). Featuring mentees’ creativity, tournaments, martial arts and musical performances, the event aims to promote anti-drug messages to teenagers and members of the public, and bring together the concerted efforts of schools, parents and various sectors of the community to support young people in developing healthy interests and a positive attitude towards life.

     Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, said that the training and experiential programmes offered by L.I.O.N. had become more in-depth and diversified over the past five years. He expressed gratitude to the L.I.O.N. executive committee members, advisers and mentors for their dedication to nurturing the mentees, providing them with more opportunities to develop their leadership skills and to bring positive energy to those around them by promoting anti-drug messages.

     Mr Chow said that L.I.O.N. incorporates technologies such as artificial intelligence and creative media into its training. It also organises study tours to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and overseas exchange programmes to broaden mentees’ international horizons and advance their knowledge. He believed that anti-drug education must be integrated into the daily lives of young people, raising their awareness and accurate understanding of the harms of drugs through activities that appeal to them.

     The carnival features 20 anti‑drug booths set up by L.I.O.N. mentees. Through interactive games, young people and families can deepen their understanding of drug harms in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. An anti-drug Beyblade tournament was held with 128 participants competing intensely amid cheers from friends and family, and immersing themselves in the fun of this healthy activity. Inspired by the relentless spinning and perseverance of a Beyblade, the tournament encouraged teenagers to remain steadfast in resisting drug temptations and work together in “spinning up” positive energy.

     The event also showcased creative entries of the “Frame a Drug-free Future: Let’s Action” Anti-Drug Short Video Competition, where participants conveyed their anti-drug resolve on screen. Renowned actor Mr Wong Cho-lam served as a judge and award presenter. He encouraged young people to be creative in promoting anti‑drug messages to a wider community.

     In addition, drug rehabilitees were invited to interact with the public through outdoor musical performances, sharing their difficult journey from drug addiction to rehabilitation to disseminate the message of cherishing life and staying away from drugs. To show support for the event, Hong Kong Wushu Team member Juanita Mok will give a martial arts performance and share positive values tomorrow (November 8) to encourage teenagers to cultivate a sense of self-discipline and to face challenges with a positive attitude. Details of the event are available on the Police website (www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/04_crime_matters/drug/lolp2026.html).

     Other officiating guests included the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Director of Crime and Security, Mr Chan Tung; the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ms Chung Wing-man; and the Chief President of L.I.O.N., Mr Kerry Wong.

        

     The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, yesterday (November 6) led a Hong Kong Customs delegation to Guangzhou for a two-day visit.

     Yesterday afternoon, Mr Chan attended the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC) regarding the regulations of air-to-air transhipments of fresh fruits to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport via Hong Kong International Airport. Witnessed by Mr Chan; the Vice Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government, Mr Zhang Rui; the Director General in Guangzhou Customs District, Mr Li Quan; the Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), Mr Bi Kexin; the Director General of the Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone Management Committee, Mr Li Xiaodong; the Director General of the Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau, Mr Wei Min; and the Director General in Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Customs House of Guangzhou Customs District, Ms Yao Mei, the Assistant Commissioner (Boundary and Ports) of Customs and Excise, Mr Lie Yan-ning, and the Deputy Director General in Guangzhou Customs District, Mr Zhuo Hantao, signed the MoC.

     The signing of the MoC is to comply with the GACC’s regulatory requirements for transhipment of fruits, which took effect in November 1, and to strengthen co-operation between the two customs authorities in facilitating the smooth air-to-air transhipment of fruits from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. Through an innovative regulatory model, Hong Kong Customs issues Certificates for Transhipment Confirmation to eligible fruit consignments, ensuring that the transhipments of fruits remain in their original packaging together with original phytosanitary certificates, thereby promoting the high-quality development of fruit trade in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
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     During the visit, Mr Chan met with the Director General in Guangzhou Customs District, Mr Li Quan, to exchange views on deepening collaboration between the two Customs administrations. The delegation also visited Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Conghua Racecourse to learn about how the Guangzhou Customs District applies smart technology in the clearance of passengers, air cargo as well as cross-boundary horses.　　

          

     ​An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and fined $2,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (November 7) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
      
     Customs officers intercepted a 44-year-old Mainland female passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (November 6) and seized about 26,800 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $134,000 and a duty potential of about $88,600 from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
      
     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, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who 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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 6) and today (November 7) detected two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport, and seized a total of about 4.5 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine and 15.4 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $9 million. A man and a woman were arrested.
      
     In the first case, a Spanish male passenger, aged 36, arrived in Hong Kong from Madrid, Spain, via Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected liquid cocaine, concealed in three wine bottles, inside his check-in baggage. He was subsequently arrested.
      
     In the second case, a British female passenger, aged 44, arrived in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, today. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected ketamine inside her check-in baggage. She was subsequently arrested.
      
     The arrested man in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on November 9. The investigation of the second case is ongoing.

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
      
     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
      
     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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).