Tag Archives: China

     An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (October 22) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted the incoming 84-year-old local male passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on September 22 and seized 801 duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $3,600, and the duty potential was about $2,600. 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. Members of the public should not defy the law.

     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, 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 (October 21) detected a suspected case of an illegal importing of an animal at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. A suspected illegally imported live dog with an estimated market value of … read more

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 22) received the report of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

     The Chief Executive thanked the Chairman of the Independent Committee, Mr Justice David Lok, and members Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung for their efforts. Through holding evidential hearings and other means, the Independent Committee heard and considered a large amount of evidence and materials provided by witnesses, experts, organisations and so on. It has, after in-depth analysis and study, compiled a detailed report in accordance with its terms of reference, providing a comprehensive review and recommendations on the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po and on large-scale building maintenance and renovation works.

     The Chief Executive said, “The Government will make comprehensive reforms in areas including the supervision of building maintenance works, building management and regulation for fire service installations. The 2026 Policy Address published in September has launched various priority reform initiatives, while the Government has already taken steps to prepare for comprehensive reforms. We will carefully study the Committee’s report, actively follow up on its recommendations, and shortly announce the plans for the comprehensive reforms and pursuing accountability.”

     The Government will publish the Committee’s report. As various individuals implicated in the Wang Fuk Court fire have been charged with different criminal offences, it is incumbent upon the Government to identify and consider how best to handle those parts of the report that may be involved in the criminal trials, so as not to prejudice the court proceedings. The Government will seek legal advice on the appropriate way to publish the report at the earliest possible juncture.

     The Chief Executive announced the establishment of the Committee on December 12, 2025, to review the causes and related issues of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring again, and to submit a report on the matter.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po:        The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (the Committee) has… read more

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will depart for Beijing on a visit this evening (October 22). During his stay in Beijing, Mr Chan will call on central ministries and commissions, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Commerce. He will also visit enterprises engaged in AI.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission, Ms Julia Leung, will join parts of the visit.

     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on the morning of October 24. During his absence, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, will act as Financial Secretary. During Mr Yau’s absence, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will act as Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. read more