Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the Spanish National Day Reception in Hong Kong today (October 10):
 
Consul General (Consul General of Spain in Hong Kong, Mr Miguel Aguirre de Cárcer), Deputy Commissioner Fang Jianming (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. I'm delighted to be here tonight to celebrate the national day of Spain. This is a proud and festive occasion throughout Spain, one of the major economies in the European Union.
 
     A celebration, too, of the growing ties between our two economies.
 
     Less than three weeks ago, the Financial Secretary visited Madrid, leading a high-profile delegation of Hong Kong start-up companies, together with the heads of Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport.
 
     Over three fruitful days, the Financial Secretary and his delegation visited a variety of Spanish start-ups, investors and corporate representatives, such as start-up accelerators IMPACT and Wayra, and Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica, and met with the Director General of CDTI (the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación), which promotes I&T (innovation and technology) co-operation between Spain and other economies.
 
     They also met with Spain Startup President and officials from IE University, the organisers of the renowned innovation and entrepreneurship event South Summit, which brings together a world of start-ups, investors, and entrepreneurs each year. The Financial Secretary welcomed the prospect of holding the South Summit in Hong Kong, and for good reasons.
 
     Asia's super-connector, Hong Kong is at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and its consumer-powered population of more than 80 million people. Technology and innovation will drive the flourishing future of both Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
 
     Hong Kong is also among the world's leading financial centres – placing third worldwide and topping the Asia-Pacific in the latest Global Financial Centres Index. Also, in the World Bank Group Business Ready 2024 Report which was just published last week, Hong Kong is among the top ten performers among 50 economies covered in that report. 
 
     We are familiar with the common law and we have connection with the Mainland legal system through a number of very important mutual legal assistance arrangements. Hong Kong is also a unique gateway. We can help Spanish start-ups find markets, and fund their expansion in the Mainland China and throughout Asia.
 
     Our legal co-operation with Spain is also well-established. I'm pleased to say that there has been well-established regimes for legal co-operation on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and the co-operation has been smooth and effective.
 
     Our good ties extend to culture and culinary creativity, too. This year's Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival opens in less than two weeks at Central Harbourfont. And I know Hong Kong will revel in the Festival's Spanish gourmet delights and featured wine and spirit tastings. They will surely be among the highlights of this year's Wine & Dine Festival. I'll see you there.
 
     And now, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast: to the people of Spain.

     The "Witty Bear Academy" exhibition is being held by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) from today (October 10) to October 15 at The Wai, Tai Wai. It aims to promote electrical and mechanical (E&M) safety and energy efficiency, and introduce the E&M industry.
      
     Speaking at the opening ceremony today, the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, said that the EMSD has been diligently promoting public education and youth development through various channels such as organising activities under the E&M Young Ambassador Programme and deploying a promotion truck, with a view to enabling the younger generation to have a better understanding of the EMSD and the E&M industry to cultivate their interest in joining the industry in the future to unleash their potential and realise their goals.
      
     Admission to the exhibition being held at the L2 Atrium, The Wai, Tai Wai, is free. It features game booths and a virtual reality game. Participants can receive souvenirs after completing the games. Members of the public can also take photos with the EMSD's mascot, Witty Bear. For details, please visit the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html).

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 9) raided a suspected illicit cigarette and manufactured tobacco storage centre in Tsuen Wan and seized about 2.3 million suspected illicit cigarettes and about 280 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, with an estimated market value of about $12.3 million and a duty potential of about $8.8 million.

     During the anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Tsuen Wan last night, Customs intercepted a suspicious man moving suspected illicit cigarettes into a warehouse in an industrial building on Wang Lung Street, Tsuen Wan. Subsequently, Customs seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes and manufactured tobacco from the warehouse and a truck. The man, aged 35, who claimed to be a driver, was arrested.

     Customs will continue to trace the source of the illicit cigarettes, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     The arrested man has been charged with "dealing with goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies" and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on October 12.

     Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. 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. 
     â€‹
     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements in Kowloon and New Territories this weekend (October 12 and 13) to facilitate the holding of the Hong Kong Cyclothon.

     On the morning of October 13, the 50km and 32km rides will start at Salisbury Road near the Empire Centre and take route via West Kowloon and New Territories South before finishing at the Jordan Road flyover. Other races will also be held at East Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom area.

     Depending on the prevailing crowd situation, the Police will consider implementing crowd safety management measures in the vicinity of the racecourse and other crowded areas in Tsim Sha Tsui.

A. Road closure and traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented, except for vehicles with permit:

Kowloon
——-

(1) From 8pm on October 12 to about 4pm on October 13:

     The layby on westbound Mody Road outside Mody Road Garden will be closed.

(2) From 1am to about 10.30am on October 13:

Road closure

     Mody Road between Mody Lane and Mody Road Garden.

Traffic diversion

     Traffic along eastbound Mody Road must turn left to Mody Square and westbound Mody Road.

Traffic arrangement

     Vehicles over seven metres in length or four tonnes in weight cannot enter Mody Road between the exit and entrance of Tsim Sha Tsui East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus and Mody Lane, and Mody Road between Mody Road Garden and Science Museum Road.

(3) From 1am to about 11am on October 13:

Road closure

– Southbound West Kowloon Highway between Tsing Kwai Highway and the slip road of Lin Cheung Road;
– The slip road of northbound West Kowloon Highway to Jordan Road;
– The service road of northbound Western Harbour Crossing to the slip road of West Kowloon Highway;
– Northbound Nga Cheung Road elevated road and the slip road to Western Harbour Crossing;
– The third lane of southbound Lin Cheung Road between Olympic City 2 and Yau Ma Tei Ventilation Building;
– The second and third lanes of southbound Lin Cheung Road between Yau Ma Tei Ventilation Building and Nga Cheung Road;
– Southbound Nga Cheung Road between Lin Cheung Road and Nga Cheung Road elevated road;
– The fast lane of southbound Nga Cheung Road elevated road between the slip road of southbound Lin Cheung Road and the access road to Elements;
– Eastbound Jordan Road flyover between Hoi Po Road and northbound Lin Cheung Road;
– Westbound Jordan Road flyover between northbound Nga Cheung Road elevated road and Hoi Po Road;
– Eastbound Jordan Road between southbound Nga Cheung Road and To Wah Road;
– The fast lane of eastbound Jordan Road between To Wah Road and northbound Lin Cheung Road; and
– Hoi Po Road between Jordan Road and Yau Ma Tei Interchange.

Traffic diversions

– Traffic along Mei Ching Road cannot enter southbound West Kowloon Highway via southbound Lin Cheung Road;
– Traffic from southbound Lin Cheung Road to Western Harbour Crossing will be diverted via Lai Cheung Road, Hoi Wang Road, Jordan Road and northbound Lin Cheung Road;
– Traffic along northbound Western Harbour Crossing will be diverted via West Kowloon Highway, Yau Ma Tei Interchange, Lai Cheung Road and Ferry Street to eastbound Jordan Road;
– Vehicles leaving from International Commerce Centre must turn left to southbound Nga Cheung Road elevated road;
– Traffic along northbound Nga Cheung Road cannot enter Jordan Road to To Wah Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Jordan Road flyover must turn left to southbound Nga Cheung Road elevated road.

(4) From 1am to about 3.30pm on October 13:

Road closure

– Southbound Princess Margaret Road Link between Metropolis Drive and Hung Hom Bypass;
– Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Princess Margaret Road Link;
– The second and third lanes of eastbound Hung Hom Bypass between Princess Margaret Road Link and Hung Hom Road;
– The third and fourth lanes of westbound Hung Hom Bypass between Hung Hom Road and Princess Margaret Road Link;
– The second and third lanes of eastbound Hung Hom Road between Hung Hom Bypass and Hung Hum South Road;
– The second and third lanes of westbound Hung Hom Road between Tak Fung Street and Hung Hom Bypass;
– Hong Wan Path;
– The slip road leading from Metropolis Drive to Hung Hom Bypass;
– Mody Lane;
– Salisbury Road underpass;
– Southbound Salisbury Road between Cross Harbour Tunnel Administration Building and Science Museum Road; and
– Salisbury Road between Science Museum Road and Chatham Road South.

Traffic diversions

– Traffic along southbound Princess Margaret Road Link must turn right to westbound Metropolis Drive;
– Traffic along eastbound Metropolis Drive must turn left to northbound Princess Margaret Road Link or the down ramp slip road leading to eastbound Hung Lai Road;
– Traffic along southbound Science Museum Road must turn left to northbound Hong Chong Road;
– Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Road will be diverted via Hung Hom Bypass slip road to Cheong Wan Road and other destinations;
– Traffic along southbound Chatham Road South must turn right to westbound Cameron Road, or diverted to turn right to westbound Salisbury Road after the completion of road closure item (5), except for franchised buses;
– Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road must turn left to northbound Chatham Road South, except for franchised buses;
– Traffic along eastbound Mody Road must make a U-turn at Mody Road near Mody Lane for westbound Mody Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Mody Road must make a U-turn at Mody Road near Mody Road Garden for eastbound Mody Road.

Traffic arrangements

     Granville Road between Granville Square and Science Museum Road will be re-routed to one-way eastbound from 7am to 3.30pm on October 13.

     Prohibited Zone of Tsim Sha Tsui East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus will be rescinded from 10.30am to 3.30pm on October 13.

     Eastbound Salisbury Road between Chatham Road South and the entrance of Tsim Sha Tsui East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus will be re-routed to one-way westbound from 10.30am to 3.30pm on October 13.

(5) From 2.30am to about 9.30am on October 13:

Road closure

– Westbound Salisbury Road between Chatham Road South and Nathan Road;
– Eastbound Salisbury Road U-turn slip road near Chatham Road South; and
– Southbound Chatham Road South between Mody Road and Salisbury Road, except for franchised buses.

Traffic diversion

     Traffic along southbound Chatham Road South must turn right to westbound Cameron Road, or may choose to turn left to eastbound Mody Road (except for vehicles over seven metres in length or four tonnes in weight).

Traffic arrangement

     Vehicles over seven metres in length or four tonnes in weight cannot enter southbound Chatham Road South to the south of Cameron Road, except for franchised buses.

(6) From 2.30am to about 10.30am on October 13:

Road closure

– Northbound Kowloon Park Drive between Salisbury Road and Canton Road;
– Peking Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– The second and third lanes of Middle Road between Hankow Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– Canton Road between Haiphong Road and Salisbury Road;
– Ashley Road between Peking Road and Middle Road;
– Westbound Salisbury Road between Nathan Road and Star Ferry Pier;
– Eastbound Salisbury Road between Star Ferry Pier and Kowloon Park Drive;
– The fourth lane of eastbound Salisbury Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Hankow Road;
– The fourth and fifth lanes of eastbound Salisbury Road between Hankow Road and Nathan Road; and
– The third and fourth lanes of eastbound Salisbury Road between Nathan Road and Middle Road.

Traffic diversions

– Traffic along southbound Canton Road must turn left to Haiphong Road;
– Traffic along westbound Middle Road must turn left to southbound Kowloon Park Drive;
– Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn left to eastbound Salisbury Road; and
– Traffic along eastbound Peking Road cannot turn right to Ashley Road.

(7) From 3am to about 11am on October 13:

Road closure

– Westbound Austin Road West;
– Westbound Austin Road West underpass;
– The at-grade loop road of Austin Road West;
– The third and fourth lanes of southbound Lin Cheung Road underpass between northbound Lin Cheung Road slip road and Austin Road West underpass; and
– The lowest level underpass of northbound Lin Cheung Road between Austin Road West underpass and the exit of Lin Cheung Road underpass.

Traffic diversions

– Traffic along westbound Austin Road must turn to northbound Canton Road or southbound Canton Road; and
– Traffic along northbound Canton Road cannot turn left to westbound Austin Road West.

(8) From 3am to about 1pm on October 13:

Road closure

– The slow lane of eastbound Museum Drive; and
– The slow lane of northbound Nga Cheung Road between Museum Drive and about 30 metres northward of Austin Road West roundabout.

(9) From 4.15am to about 10.30am on October 13:

Road closure

     Northbound Canton Road between China Hong Kong City and Austin Road West.

Traffic diversion

     Northbound Canton Road between the exit and entrance of China Hong Kong City and Kowloon Park Drive will be re-routed to one-way southbound.

(10) From 6.30am to about 11.30am on October 13:

     The layby on northbound Hoi Ting Road near West Kowloon Government Offices will be closed.

New Territories
—————

(1) From 1am to about 7.15am on October 13:

Road closure

     Upper deck of Lantau Link Kowloon bound.

Traffic diversions

– Traffic from Lantau to Kowloon will be diverted via the lower deck of Lantau Link, North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
– Traffic from Lantau to Tuen Mun Road or Tai Lam Tunnel will be diverted via the lower deck of Lantau Link and northbound Ting Kau Bridge;
– Traffic from Ma Wan to Kowloon will be diverted via westbound Lantau Link (Kap Shui Mun Bridge), the lower deck of Lantau Link, North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road; and
– Traffic from Ma Wan to Tuen Mun Road or Tai Lam Tunnel will be diverted via westbound Lantau Link (Kap Shui Mun Bridge), the lower deck of Lantau Link and northbound Ting Kau Bridge.

Traffic arrangement

     Speed limit restrictions will be implemented on northbound Penny’s Bay Highway, North Lantau Highway Kowloon bound and Lantau Link Kowloon bound.

(2) From 1am to about 9am on October 13:

Road closure

– Eagle’s Nest Tunnel Sha Tin bound and Sha Tin Heights Tunnel Sha Tin bound;
– The slip road leading from eastbound Ching Cheung Road to northbound Tsing Sha Highway;
– Northbound Tsing Sha Highway between West Kowloon Highway and the exit of Sha Tin Heights Tunnel Sha Tin bound; and
– The slip road leading from northbound Lai Po Road to eastbound Tsing Sha Highway.

Traffic diversions

– Traffic along West Kowloon to New Territories East via Eagle’s Nest Tunnel will be diverted via northbound Castle Peak Road, eastbound Ching Cheung Road, eastbound Lung Cheung Road and northbound Tai Po Road or northbound Lion Rock Tunnel;
– Traffic along eastbound Ching Cheung Road to New Territories East will be diverted via eastbound Lung Cheung Road and northbound Tai Po Road or northbound Lion Rock Tunnel;
– Traffic along northbound West Kowloon Highway to New Territories East will be diverted via northbound Lin Cheung Road, westbound Mei Ching Road, northbound Container Port Road South, eastbound Ching Cheung Road, eastbound Lung Cheung Road and northbound Tai Po Road or northbound Lion Rock Tunnel; and
– Traffic along northbound Lin Cheung Road to New Territories East will be diverted via westbound Lai Po Road, westbound Hing Wah Street West, northbound Container Port Road South, eastbound Ching Cheung Road, eastbound Lung Cheung Road and northbound Tai Po Road or northbound Lion Rock Tunnel.

(3) From 1am to about 11am on October 13:

Road closure

– Southbound carriageway of Tsing Kwai Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel and Cheung Tsing Highway;
– Southbound Ting Kau Bridge;
– Exits from Lantau Link to southbound Cheung Tsing Highway;
– The slip roads from Kwai Tsing Road and Kwai Chung Road leading to southbound Tsing Kwai Highway;
– Eastbound Tsing Sha Highway between the access road of Cheung Tsing Tunnel and West Kowloon Highway;
– The slip road leading from Tsing Yi Hong Wan Road to eastbound Stonecutters Bridge;
– The slip road leading from Container Port Road South to eastbound Tsing Sha Highway (Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct);
– The slip road leading from Mei Ching Road to southbound Lin Cheung Road, except for vehicles leaving Container Port via Roundabout 6 to Mei Ching Road and Tsing Kwai Highway New Territories bound ; and
– North West Tsing Yi Interchange U-turn slip road from eastbound Tsing Yi North Coastal Road to westbound Tsing Yi North Coastal Road.

Traffic diversions

– Traffic along Tuen Mun Road and Tai Lam Tunnel heading to Kowloon will be diverted via Tuen Mun Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
– Traffic from Tsing Yi South heading to Kowloon will be diverted via Tsing Yi Road, Kwai Tsing Road, Kwai Tsing Interchange, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road; and
– Traffic from Kwai Chung Container Port heading to Kowloon will be diverted via Container Port Road South, Hing Wah Street West and Lai Po Road.

     The above road closures will not affect traffic from Western Harbour Crossing and from Kowloon or New Territories East via Route 3 or Route 8 to various destinations, including the Airport, Lantau, Ma Wan and New Territories West.

B. Suspension of parking spaces

     Six metered parking spaces on Chatham Road South (meter no. 4271A, 4271B, 4272A, 4272B, 4723A and 4723B), five metered parking spaces on Mody Road (meter no. 4263A, 4264A, 4264B, 4265A and 4265B) and six metered parking spaces on Cameron Road (meter no. 4414B, 4415A, 4415B, 4416A, 4416B and 4417A) will be suspended from 8pm on October 12 to 3.30pm on October 13.

     All Green Minibus stands, taxi stands, taxi pick-up and drop-off points, loading and unloading bays and on-street parking spaces within the road closure areas in Tsim Sha Tsui will be suspended in phases from 1am on October 13 until the re-opening of roads.

     Vehicles will not be permitted to access or leave car parks and hotels in the affected areas during the road closure period.

     All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.  

     Members of the public should pay attention to the latest special traffic arrangements announced by the Transport Department. Actual implementation of traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs conducted a special operation across shopping spots in Mong Kok on October 3 and yesterday (October 9) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods, seizing a total of about 1 100 suspected counterfeit clothes and sneakers with an estimated market value of about $820,000.
      
     Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of suspected counterfeit clothing at two retailers in Mong Kok. After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action on October 3 and 9, and raided the two retailers in Mong Kok and a storage facility in a commercial building in Yau Ma Tei, seizing the batch of suspected counterfeit goods.
      
     During the operation, Customs arrested two men, aged 31 and 52. They have been released on bail pending further investigation. 
      
     An investigation is underway and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
      
     Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat the sale of counterfeit goods.
      
     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the product authenticity is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
      
     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who 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.
      
     Members of the public may report the sale of suspected counterfeit goods 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).