Hong Kong Customs on October 10 seized about 460 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins, 200kg of suspected scheduled dried sea cucumbers and 3 300 boxes of proprietary Chinese medicine with ingredients of suspected scheduled Gastrodia Elata, with a total estimated market value of about $2.3 million, at Hong Kong International Airport.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected an air consignment, declared as carrying household goods and arriving in Hong Kong from Indonesia, on that day. Upon inspection, the batch of dried shark fins, sea cucumbers and proprietary Chinese medicine suspected to be scheduled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Ordinance) (Cap. 586), was found inside 33 carton boxes.

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for follow-up action.

     Under the Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited. For licensing requirements for the species listed on different appendices, members of the public may visit the website: www.cites.hk. For enquiries, please contact the AFCD through email (hk_cites@afcd.gov.hk) or call 1823.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Ho Man Tin this morning (October 13) in which a man died.
 
     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 13) congratulated Mr Sam Hou-fai on being elected as the sixth-term Chief Executive-elect of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

     Mr Lee said, "Mr Sam has been serving as the President of the Court of Final Appeal of Macao since the establishment of the Macao SAR, leading the courts of Macao in performing judicial functions and contributing significantly to the long-term prosperity and stability of Macao. He has remained committed to serving Macao over the years and made immense contributions. I congratulate Mr Sam on being elected as the sixth-term Chief Executive-elect of the Macao SAR and on leading Macao to new heights again.

     "Hong Kong and Macao enjoy close geographical ties and share the same cultural roots. Our two places share deep bonds and affinity with frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, alongside solid economic and trade relations. As the country's SARs, both Hong Kong and Macao firmly uphold the principle of 'one country' and leverage the benefits of 'two systems'. As participants and beneficiaries of the country's reform and opening up, Hong Kong and Macao enjoy the advantages of 'one country, two systems', and can directly tap into the huge markets of the Mainland, whilst staying connected to the world. On the other hand, Hong Kong and Macao are both core cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and are engines for regional development. I have every confidence in working closely with Mr Sam in the future to achieve complementarity and mutual benefits for Hong Kong and Macao, giving full play to the cities' strengths to serve the country's needs and making new and greater contributions to building a great country and moving towards national rejuvenation through Chinese modernisation."

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 13) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Eight Ethnic Minority Care Teams commissioned by the Government are engaging with thousands of ethnic minority households annually through home visits and outreach activities, helping to address the specific needs of minority communities.

     News.gov.hk interviewed a member of one of the care teams and one of the families served by the team. Meanwhile, representatives from the Home Affairs Department and one of its support service centres for ethnic minorities spoke about the assistance provided to minority households.
      
     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (October 13) in text and video format.