A spokesperson of the Civil Aid Service (CAS) said that a 57-year-old male member, surnamed Leung, upon completion of a fitness assessment at about 8pm yesterday (March 7), was found unwell by other team members during his rest at CAS headquarters in Yau Ma Tei. He was found unconscious later, the team members provided first-aid treatment for him before he was conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital by an ambulance. Mr Leung passed away at 10.07pm yesterday.

     He joined the CAS in 1986 and was a Grade III member.

     The CAS was deeply saddened by his passing and extended deepest condolences to the deceased's family, and will provide appropriate assistance to the family.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs over the past two weeks enhanced enforcement actions at Hong Kong International Airport and detected illicit cigarette smuggling cases involving air passengers. Also, Customs raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in Yuen Long yesterday (March 6), seizing a total of about 6.7 million suspected illicit cigarettes and about 570 000 suspected alternative smoking products, with a total estimated total market value of about $33 million. The duty potential of the illicit cigarettes was about $22 million.
      
     In the small hours today (March 7), Customs officers intercepted a male outside a hotel in Tin Shui Wai and seized a total of about 90 000 sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes and about 110 000 suspected alternative smoking products in his nylon bag and the hotel room he was staying in. The man was subsequently arrested. After investigations, Customs believes that illicit cigarette syndicate made use of air passengers to smuggle illicit cigarettes and alternative smoking products, which were then stored in hotel rooms for further distribution. 
      
     The arrested man, aged 36 and claiming to be unemployed, was charged. He will appear at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 8). The suspected alternative smoking products seized will be handed over to the Department of Health for follow-up action.
      
     At the same time, Customs detected 20 illicit cigarette smuggling cases with 13 men and eight women arrested at the airport over the past two weeks. A total of about 600 000 suspected illicit cigarettes and about 460 000 suspected alternative smoking products, with an estimated total market value of about $4 million and a duty potential of about $2 million, were seized.
      
     It is believed that the syndicate that smuggle illicit cigarettes and alternative smoking products through passengers was smashed.
      
     Moreover, after an in-depth investigation, Customs carried out a strike-and-search operation at a logistics warehouse in Yuen Long yesterday. Customs officers intercepted a man who was moving goods to a vehicle and seized about 6 million suspected illicit cigarettes in the vehicle and the warehouse. The 44-year-old man, who claimed to be a driver, was arrested. He has been released on bail pending further investigation.
      
     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
      
     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.
      
     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 Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO), in collaboration with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) hosted a seminar in London, the United Kingdom, on March 6 (London time) showcasing Hong Kong's dynamic innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem.

     The seminar featured distinguished speakers who provided insights into Hong Kong's future in I&T. In his opening remarks, the Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, emphasised Hong Kong's role as a global I&T hub and gateway to the Greater Bay Area (GBA). "Hong Kong offers a dynamic business environment with world-class infrastructure, strong government support, and access to a wide network of investors and researchers. Our strategic location provides businesses with unique opportunities to tap into the growing GBA, particularly in key sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, and biotechnology."

     The Chief Executive Officer of the HKSTP, Mr Albert Wong, presented HKSTP's thriving I&T ecosystem. He said, "As a growing engine situated at an international I&T hub in Asia, the HKSTP understands that nurturing next-generation I&T talent is as important as any R&D project, if not more. We're currently an ecosystem that over 2 200 tech companies from 26 countries and regions call home, offering comprehensive support to more than 15 000 research and development professionals – a network we're looking overseas to extend, and a number we're eager to invest in for a sustainable future."

     Following this, the Deputy Director-General of the OASES, Dr Jimmy Chiang, provided an overview of I&T developments in Hong Kong. "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been committed to advancing the I&T ecosystem through substantial efforts, which include significant financial investments in the past few years to establish new I&T infrastructures, foster international research collaborations, and offer a diverse range of funding schemes for I&T projects and companies. The development of new I&T zones within the territory provides tremendous opportunities for I&T enterprises, specifically in expanding their research and development functions," he said.

     The Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the InvestHK London Office, Ms Daisy Ip, concluded the seminar by highlighting Hong Kong's strategic advantages for businesses and talent. "From Hong Kong's world-class infrastructure and strategic location to our vibrant talent pool and government-backed initiatives, Hong Kong serves as a launchpad for those looking to scale, collaborate, and push boundaries both regionally and globally," she said.

     A networking reception was held immediately after the seminar. Around 80 participants joined the entire event, including representatives from local government and professionals from the I&T, business and academic sectors, providing an opportunity for further collaboration and discussions.

            

     â€‹Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session after returning from Thailand at Hong Kong International Airport this afternoon (March 7):
 
Reporter: Aside from the Hong Kong Alliance, how many times has the Government used NSL powers to demand information from foreign agents? Are you worried about those other NSL Notices being unlawful and also being challenged in court? My second question is a Hong Kong student died last week during a school trip to China, does the case involve a criminal element? Is Hong Kong law enforcement involved in the investigation?
 
Secretary for Security: First of all, regarding the figures that you would like to know, I think my Press Secretary would provide you with the figures a bit later. For the issuance of (notices with) any of those powers under NSL (National Security Law), we are based on evidence and facts.

     Regarding the case you mentioned in the Mainland China, because it happened in the Mainland China, and the authority rests with the Mainland authority.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks)

     Correctional officers at Tai Lam Centre for Women today (March 7) intercepted a female remand person in custody smuggling suspected dangerous drugs into the centre by concealing it inside her body.

     The 25-year-old person in custody was remanded for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug on February 18. After undergoing X-ray body scanning, she was suspected to have swallowed the dangerous drug before admission. She was therefore separated and put under close monitoring. After a total of five packs of suspected dangerous drugs wrapped in plastic sheets were discharged by her on February 21, March 1 and March 6 successively, correctional officers seized another two packs of suspected drugs weighed about 29 grams wrapped in plastic sheets from the remand person in custody at 3.02pm today.

     The case has been reported to the Police for follow-up.

     A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department takes every measure to stop the introduction of dangerous drugs or unauthorised articles into correctional institutions in order to maintain good order and discipline, and a drug-free environment for all persons in custody."