Tag Archives: China

     One male and two female were respectively sentenced from 38 to 48 days of imprisonment and fined from $1,000 to $1,200 at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts today (March 22) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted one incoming male passenger, aged 44, and two female incoming passengers, aged 74 and 54, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (March 21). About 5 100, 5 900 and 8 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized respectively from their personal baggages and they were 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, tobacco products 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 $1 million and imprisonment for two 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).

      

     The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, officiated at the kick-off ceremony of the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme 2025 today (March 22). The Programme is a flagship youth talent development programme co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Youth Development Commission (YDC). The Programme aims at identifying and grooming a cadre of young talents with a sense of responsibility, and with aspirations and potential, as well as with a passion to serve society, and who are willing to strive for the betterment of the country and Hong Kong. The YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme 2025 is centred on the theme of “Build a Caring and Inclusive Society, Youth Tell Good Stories of Hong Kong”. Through diverse training activities with unique exposure opportunities, the Youth Ambassadors Cadets can extend their care for the community, leverage their influence and take actions to build a caring, inclusive and harmonious society, while joining hands to tell good stories of Hong Kong.   
      
     Addressing the ceremony, Miss Mak said, “The hopes of our country and the future of our nation lie in the hands of our young generation.” The Government has long attached great importance to youth development and is committed to creating more opportunities for young people and helping them shine and achieve their aspirations. She encouraged the Youth Ambassadors Cadets to learn more about the youth development work by the HYAB and the YDC, including the various youth-related measures stated in the Youth Development Blueprint that help address the needs of young people at different development stages.
      
     Miss Mak said she hopes that the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme could identify and nurture more young talents with a sense of responsibility and with aspirations. She encouraged the YA Cadets to seize the precious opportunities of participating in the training activities and service projects of Community Care Teams under the Programme, through which they could broaden their perspectives, nurture their passion to serve society, further integrate into the overall development of the country, contribute to Hong Kong and the country, and tell good stories of Hong Kong.
      
     Other officiating guests included the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; the Vice-Chairman of the YDC, Mr Kenneth Leung; and the Commissioner for Youth, Mr Eric Chan. Members of the YDC also attended the ceremony.
      
     The YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme offers unique training and exposure opportunities to young people and enhance their understanding of public affairs. For more information on the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme 2025, please visit the YDC’s webpage (www.ydc.gov.hk/ya).

          

     This year marks the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. To commemorate and celebrate this remarkable milestone, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has launched a series of celebration events under the theme “Dongjiang River – An Inseparable Bond, Our Blessed Origin” in phases since September last year. Among the events, the “Roving Exhibition on the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong” held at Times Square, Causeway Bay, and Domain, Yau Tong, in January and February respectively was concluded successfully. To raise public awareness of the history and the current situation of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong, the WSD arranged for a mobile exhibition vehicle to tour different districts and schools starting from today (March 22).
      
     The rich content of the mobile exhibition vehicle covers precious historical photos showing the situation of droughts in 1960s and the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Scheme, as well as the work of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Guangdong to safeguard the quality and security of Dongjiang water supplied to Hong Kong. Moreover, virtual reality and quiz games are set up to help deepen the public’s understanding of the history, development and current situation of the Dongjiang water supply in an interactive way. Souvenirs on the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong will be delivered as well.
      
     The mobile exhibition vehicle will tour about 20 locations across the territory starting from today until April 13 (details in Annex). The vehicle was parked outside Kwai Chung Plaza, Kwai Fong, and Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan (outside KOLOUR • Tsuen Wan), today.
      
     Moreover, the WSD launched school roadshows this school year on “Dongjiang Water 60-Year Anniversary: Dongjiang Water and Water Conservation” under the “Cherish Water Campus” Integrated Education Programme, aiming to deepen teachers and students’ understanding of the history and the current situation of Dongjiang water supply as well as the nation’s immense support and care rendered to Hong Kong. The roadshows also help students to understand the importance of water conservation and nurture students to establish good water-saving habits. The roadshows were well-received with over 100 applications enrolled, expecting that more than 20 000 teachers and students will be benefited.

      

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department… read more

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 toda… read more