Tag Archives: China

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 7) seized over 1 tonne of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species with an estimated market value of about $750,000 at Hong Kong International Airport.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers inspected an air consignment arriving in Hong Kong from the Philippines and found the batch of suspected scheduled shark fins inside. 

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Government has proposed to carry out modification works within an area of approximately 5.2 hectares of foreshore and seabed at the Tsang Kok Stream outfall. The extent of the area of foreshore and seabed affected is described in a notice gazetted today (January 8).

     The proposed works will provide approximately 3.01 hectares of land for accommodating new access to the facilities near the outfall. It also serves to enhance the road connectivity between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long in the long term. The proposed works are tentatively scheduled to commence in 2023 for completion in about two years.
 
    The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan is also available for inspection at:
 
* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (23/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) (where copies can be purchased on order);

* Tuen Mun Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Tuen Mun District Office (2/F, Tuen Mun Government Offices, 1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories);

* Yuen Long Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Yuen Long District Office (Ground Floor, Yuen Long District Office Building, 269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories); and

* Lands Department’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.

     Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and seabed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the above-mentioned date, i.e. on or before March 8. The notice of such objection shall describe the interest, right or easement of the objector and the manner in which he or she will be allegedly affected. read more

     The Transport Department announced today (January 8) that approval has been given to the five major outlying island ferry routes, namely Central – Cheung Chau, Central – Mui Wo, Central – Peng Chau, Central – Yung Shue Wan and Centr… read more

     Demand notes for rates and/or Government rent for the quarter from January to March 2021 have been issued, and payment should be made by January 29, 2021.
 
     The demand notes have reflected the rates concession for this quarter, subject to a ceiling of $1,500 and $5,000 for each rateable domestic and non-domestic tenement respectively. Any unused portion of the concession in this quarter will not be used to offset the outstanding rates in any other quarter. The concession does not apply to payment of Government rent.
              
     Payment can be made:

(1) by using autopay or electronic means (such as PPS, bank automated teller machines (ATMs), the Faster Payment System (FPS) or the Internet);
 
(2) by uploading an e-Cheque/e-Cashier’s Order via the Pay e-Cheque portal www.payecheque.gov.hk;
 
(3) by sending a crossed cheque to the Treasury, PO Box 28000, Gloucester Road Post Office, Hong Kong (please note that mail with underpaid postage will be rejected); or
 
(4) in person at any of the post offices or designated convenience stores. For the addresses and opening hours of post offices, please call Hongkong Post’s hotline (2921 2222), or visit www.hongkongpost.hk.
 
     If demand notes have not been received, members of the public may call 2152 0111, fax 2152 0113, or visit the Rating and Valuation Department, 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.
 
     Members of the public can also visit the department’s website at www.rvd.gov.hk to obtain replacement demand notes or enquire about the amount payable. For instant payment, payers may obtain a payment QR code or an FPS payment code from the Account Enquiries service at the website. Payers may present the payment QR code by using mobile devices (e.g. mobile phone or tablet) at any post office, 7-Eleven, Circle K or VanGo in Hong Kong, or use any mobile banking app or e-wallet that supports Government FPS bill payments to scan the FPS payment code for payment.
 
     A surcharge of 5 per cent will be imposed for a late payment and a further surcharge of 10 per cent will be levied on the amount (including the 5 per cent surcharge) that remains unpaid six months after the payment deadline.
 
     To support environmental protection, payers are advised to utilise our free eRVD Bill service to receive e-bills and make payments. They are also encouraged to settle bills by autopay or other means of e-payment (e.g. PPS, ATM, the Internet or e-Cheque/e-Cashier’s Order) in order to save queuing time. Application forms for autopay are obtainable from the Rating and Valuation Department, District Offices and major banks in Hong Kong, or by telephoning 2152 0111. Payers may also download the form from the department’s website. read more

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (January 8) announced that the department tested 92 water samples collected from cooling towers in 61 buildings in its routine inspections in December 2020. No… read more