Tag Archives: China

     â€‹The first round of enrolment for the Corporate Games 2025, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), has ended. The response was overwhelming, and places for most events are full, while other events with remaining places will be open for the second round of enrolment starting today (January 22). 

     The biennial Corporate Games is a major multisport event for employees of private and public sector organisations. The Games will be held between March and September this year at various recreation and sports venues in Hong Kong. It comprises 11 competition events, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, distance run, futsal, snooker, table tennis, tennis, tenpin bowling, volleyball and 11-a-side soccer. All events are divided into two groups. Group A covers organisations and Government departments with 300 or more employees in Hong Kong, while Group B covers those with less than 300 employees in Hong Kong.

     The first round of enrolment ended on January 9 this year. All places in the competitions in Group A are full. In Group B, there are remaining places in the events of athletics, badminton (men’s singles), futsal, snooker (men’s doubles), table tennis (men’s singles), volleyball (men) and 11-a-side soccer. Interested organisations can download the enrolment form from the LCSD dedicated website of the Corporate Games 2025 (corporategames.lcsd.gov.hk/en/cg/2025/index.html) from today and return the completed form to the LCSD by post (Address: 2/F, Major Events Section, Leisure and Cultural Services Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin) or by fax (2634 0786). The remaining places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until they are full or the final enrolment deadlines for the respective events.

     For details of the Corporate Games 2025, please visit the LCSD dedicated website of the Corporate Games 2025, or call 2601 7673 for enquiries. read more

     â€‹The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his activities at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, yesterday (January 21, Davos time).

     In the morning, Mr Chan attended a breakfast meeting organised by the Giving to Amplify Earth Action launched by the WEF, where he shared views on how to make effective use of finance to address various crises facing the planet. Using climate change as an example, he pointed out that there is a significant funding gap globally in responding to climate change, and thus countries should work to promote collaboration among the public, private and philanthropic sectors, so as to encourage private investments in green and transition projects. He highlighted that Hong Kong is a leading green finance hub in Asia, gathering financial institutions, professional services and talent with relevant expertise and experience. The thriving ecosystem of family offices, private equity funds as well as wealth and asset management is conducive to effectively connecting wealth with climate transformation projects. Mr Chan said Hong Kong looks forward to strengthening cooperation in this area with various economies.

     At noon, Mr Chan attended the “2025 Davos-Caixin CEO Luncheon” and delivered keynote remarks. He briefed participants the latest economic situation and development strategies of Hong Kong, particularly regarding how to leverage the advantages of being well connected to the Mainland China and to the world, under the “one country, two systems” principle. He emphasised Hong Kong’s unique advantages of collaborating with sister cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, attracting businesses and talent from around the globe to Hong Kong.

     During the morning, Mr Chan also met with the Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr Daren Tang, to exchange views on strengthening cooperation in areas such as intellectual property protection, institutional development and talent training. Mr Chan stated that with the staunch support of the country, Hong Kong is vigorously advancing to become an international innovation and technology centre and a regional intellectual property trading centre. He expressed gratitude for WIPO’s support in establishing a Technology and Innovation Support Centre in Hong Kong, noting that the city aims to have it operational this year.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan met with the Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in finance and trade, as well as exchanging views on global and regional issues of mutual concern. He also met with the Chief Executive Officer of stablecoin issuer Circle, Mr Jeremy Allaire, to learn about the company’s business development strategies in Asia. They also exchanged views on the global development and regulatory policies of digital assets.

     In the evening, Mr Chan attended the “2025 Davos-Tencent Finance Vision Dinner”, where he delivered a speech. He elaborated on how Hong Kong can play the role of a “super connector” and “super value-adder” in the face of an increasingly complex international environment, thereby finding new opportunities and positioning, while contributing to China’s high-level opening-up. In this process, Hong Kong will create value and opportunities for global businesses and investors. He emphasised Hong Kong’s new directions in reinforcing and enhancing its position as an international financial and trade centre, including the vigorous efforts to turn Hong Kong into a high value-added supply chain service centre; he also highlighted Hong Kong’s progress in becoming an international innovation and technology centre. He noted that Hong Kong can help promote interconnected developments between the country and developed economies as well as emerging markets in the “Global South”. 

     Mr Chan will continue his visit to Davos today (January 22, Davos time).

                  

     Officiated by 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 Mr Pan Yundong and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, a reception in celebration of International Customs Day (ICD) 2025 was held by Hong Kong Customs at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (January 21).

     The World Customs Organization (WCO) set the theme of this year’s ICD as “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity”, highlighting the crucial and diverse roles of Customs in streamlining customs clearance procedures, safeguarding society safety, and fostering economic growth.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered a pre-recorded speech to express his appreciation for the unwavering dedication of Hong Kong Customs in shaping Hong Kong into a world city and trade hub. He emphasised that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He expressed his confidence that Hong Kong Customs will continue to promote international co-operation and enhance Hong Kong’s roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the world.

     In his speech, Mr Chan elaborated on the diverse responsibilities of Hong Kong Customs in streamlining clearance procedures, facilitating trade and ensuring the well-being and safety of society. He also highlighted the significance of Hong Kong Customs’ role as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific region of the WCO, underscoring Hong Kong’s proactive and leading role in global customs affairs. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong Customs would continue to tell good stories of Hong Kong to a worldwide audience, and will remain committed to contributing to the overall development of the country and the Chinese modernisation process.  

     Hong Kong Customs became a member of the WCO in 1987, and ICD has become an annual event of Hong Kong Customs ever since. At the celebration reception, Mr Pan presented WCO Certificates of Merit to Hong Kong Customs’ officers and business stakeholders in recognition of their remarkable contributions to various customs affairs pertinent to the theme of ICD.
           
     Over 300 guests, including officials of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, representatives of various offices of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong and Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macao, Consuls-General, foreign Customs attachés, as well as private stakeholders, attended the reception.

        

     Hong Kong Customs on January 19 and yesterday (January 20) detected two drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 20 kilograms of suspected ketamine. The total estimated market value of the drugs was about $9.2 million.
      
     The first case involved a 29-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 19. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 6kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
      
     The second case involved two male passengers, aged 41 and 31, who arrived in Hong Kong from Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 14kg of suspected ketamine inside their check-in suitcases. They were subsequently arrested.
      
     The arrested male in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 22). An investigation of the second case is ongoing.
      
     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). read more

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation to combat illegal workers providing cross-boundary services in Hong Kong from January 13 to yesterday (January 20). A total of eight mainland visitors, who were suspected illegal workers, were arrested.
 
     Immigration officers found that social media platforms recently have been utilised by individuals from the Mainland to advertise cross-boundary tour guide services and purchase and delivery services in Hong Kong. After an in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, ImmD officers identified several suspected illegal workers and initiated an operation. Officers disguised themselves as customers to enquire about and book cross-boundary services from these suspects. The suspects were subsequently arrested while providing cross-boundary services in Hong Kong. The arrested illegal workers comprised four men and four women, aged 19 to 52.

     Seven illegal workers were charged at the Shatin and Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts last week with breaching the conditions of their stay. They pleaded guilty to the charges, and were sentenced to terms ranging from 56 days to two months’ imprisonment. The one remaining case of the suspected illegal worker is under investigation.

     “The ImmD will continue to strengthen enforcement actions against illegal employment and seek various means to publicise the serious consequences of employing illegal workers in order to raise public awareness of the issue. The ImmD will conduct target-oriented cyber patrols and take prompt enforcement actions if any person is found organising, arranging or instigating others to commit serious crimes such as employing illegal workers,” an ImmD spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman warned, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him/her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
     
     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.