　　The Transport Department today (May 18) reminded members of the public that the 53rd round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) will be open from 10am tomorrow (May … read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Tomorrow (May 19) marks the World Human Milk Donation Day. The Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank (HKBMB) has commenced service this January, and as of May 16, has already registered over 230 donors and collected more than 800 litres of breast milk to be prescribed to premature or critically ill newborns, providing the best possible nutrition. So far, about 90 clinically needy infants have benefitted and the results are heartening.
​Donors have to be currently lactating, and their babies have to be under 1 year old. As time passes, some donor mothers have been gradually completing their “mission”, including Ida, a mother of a boy. She joined as a breast milk donor in January this year. Besides breastfeeding her son, she pumped extra breast milk for donation. In late March, as her son almost turned 1 year old, she had mixed emotions as she pumped her final batch for donation. She wrote the message “Breast milk Donation – Every Drop is Love. Please Support!” on the milk container. She had managed to donate 16 litres of breast milk in total. While she waved goodbye to her donation “mission”, she wished recipient infants a healthy future, and hoped to bring comfort to their parents with her efforts.
At the same time, another mother – Aqsa – has a premature son who is one of the beneficiaries of donated breast milk. He was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital due to a serious illness after birth. Although Aqsa knew breast milk contains rich nutrients and antibodies, and is easier to digest and absorb, she struggled with insufficient breast milk production. At this critical moment, Aqsa noticed the promotional leaflet in the hospital, and doctors introduced her to the HKBMB service. She decided to let her son receive donated breast milk, hoping it would speed up his recovery.
Aqsa was delighted to see her son’s good absorption of the milk and gradual weight gain. “I am deeply grateful to the mothers who selflessly donated their breast milk. Their kindness has provided my son with better nutrition and helped us through this urgent situation,” said Aqsa. She hopes more capable mothers will support breast milk donation to help infants and families in need.
The Director of the HKBMB, Dr Rosanna Wong, said, “The HKBMB has received strong support from the community in just half a year, reflecting Hong Kong’s spirit of compassion and willingness to make a difference. I would like to thank the frontline healthcare staff in public hospitals, the maternal and child health centres under the Department of Health, and all our partner organisations in promoting breastfeeding and breast milk donation. I call on expectant and new mothers to join this ‘new force’ of donors, passing on the baby-friendly spirit and contributing breast milk to spread love and hope.”
The HKBMB has set up a breast milk donor service centre on the ground floor lobby of Tower B of Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, offering the latest information, counselling and breastfeeding support. The public can also visit the HKBMB website (www.ha.org.hk/hkch/hkbmb) for further details and to register as breast milk donors. Relevant pamphlets are also available at Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics Departments in public hospitals, as well as maternal and child health centres under the Department of Health.
Supported by the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps (HKACC) inaugurated its first dedicated headquarters and training centre in March. The facility offers cadets extensive amenities for training and learning, and plays a part in nurturing local aviation talent.
News.gov.hk interviewed HKACC officers to learn about the corps’ new home, while representatives from the GFS spoke about its wide-ranging support for the HKACC.
The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature from today (May 18) in text and video format. read more
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (May 17) strongly condemned those United States (US) senators who requested a review, through a so-called “bill”, of including a number of judges, and prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DoJ), in a so-called list of “sanctions” in an attempt to intimidate the HKSAR personnel concerned who safeguard national security.
A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, “It is clear that safeguarding national security falls within the internal affairs of a sovereign jurisdiction, so the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) is free from any intervention. However, those US politicians insist on turning a blind eye to all these facts, and even clamour for so-called ‘sanctions’ against the HKSAR personnel and judges who dutifully safeguard national security. The HKSAR despises any so-called ‘sanctions’ and shall never be intimidated. It shall continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security. The HKSAR Government strongly urges the US politicians concerned to discern facts from fallacies, and immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs.”
The spokesman pointed out, “Nearly five years having passed since the implementation of the HKNSL, the HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The DoJ of the HKSAR is in charge of criminal prosecutions under Article 63 of the Basic Law, with all its prosecutorial decisions made on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws.”
“The Judiciary of the HKSAR exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing. The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws. Cases will never be handled any differently owing to the professions, political beliefs or backgrounds of the persons involved. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offence before a defendant may be convicted by the court.”
“The judicial system of the HKSAR has always been highly regarded by international communities. Any attempt by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the HKSAR by means of political power is a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of the HKSAR. Making any statement with the intent to interfere with or obstruct the course of justice, or engaging in conduct with the same intent, is very likely to constitute the offence of criminal contempt of court or the offence of perverting the course of justice.”
The spokesman reiterated, “The HKSAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to this top priority of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. The HKSAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of ‘one country, two systems’.” read more
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 16) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. About 13 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.8 million were seized.
A 27-year-old foreign male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. During customs clearance, the suspected cannabis buds weighing about 13kg in total were found in 24 bags inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court on May 19, 2025.
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 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/en).
