Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 8) seized 109 suspected smuggled smartphones at Shenzhen Bay Control Point with an estimated market value of about $580,000.

     Customs officers intercepted an outgoing private vehicle at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday afternoon and seized 109 suspected smuggled smartphones from three false compartments in the vehicle.

     The 25-year-old male driver was arrested. Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven 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).

    

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (April 9):

Reporter: Mr Cheung, on the "ding" rights under the Small House Policy, what do you mean by whether the Government is planning to appeal? Which grounds are they looking into? Secondly, UK has raised concern on the extradition law, so will the Government withdraw it? Lastly, the coming verdict on some occupy leaders, do you think that will affect public sentiment and how do you think about that?

Acting Chief Executive: The first question, of course it's the Development Bureau in concert with the Department of Justice will very carefully consider and examine the arguments, the reasoning in the court ruling, as far as the so-called "ding" right (legitimate traditional interests of indigenous villagers) is concerned. So we will certainly make our decision clear later on. But in the meantime, we must have a little breathing space to study carefully the judgment before we come to a conclusion on the way forward.

     The second question is about what you mentioned about this extradition law and all that. I just want to make the point clear here. We are talking about really filling a void in the legal system. There is a big gap at the moment in terms of extradition with some countries, you know. We don't want Hong Kong to be a haven for criminals, for suspects. We have to make sure that we respect the rule of law, and Hong Kong is very proud to have judicial independence plus the rule of law.

     All the concerns in the public arena, in fact raised by international community, are not entirely warranted. If you look carefully into the entire thinking, we've got pretty clear safeguards before a decision is made to allow somebody to be extradited. And all these safeguards are real safeguards. They are not imaginary safeguards. We must not try to think of various scenarios which are not really real in real life. So what I am saying here is we've got clear safeguards, clear barriers, before we actually come to the decision to allow somebody to be sent back. You know, so all these safeguards are real safeguards, including the Department of Justice will be the gatekeeper, including we've got a lot of judicial review procedures in Hong Kong to provide protection, for example, habeas corpus. And finally we've got the Court of Final Appeal. The entire procedure is transparent. And Hong Kong is very proud because, judicial independence, we are number one in Asia, number eight in the world. All these are the factors we've got to consider. We look at the whole picture itself.

Reporter: On the coming verdict of the occupying leaders and figures, what is your view? And do you think it will affect Hong Kong democracy?

Acting Chief Executive: Well, we have to wait for the judgement to come out in first place, alright. It is premature for us to make any comment on that particular case. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) will hold a "Meet-the-Zookeepers" activity for two consecutive days on April 13 and 14. The event will allow members of the public to learn more about the animals in the gardens and the daily work of the zookeepers in taking care of the animals.
 
     During the event, the gardens' zookeepers will tell visitors about their experiences in daily primate and bird care and animal conservation. Visitors will also have an opportunity to learn more about the daily habits of the gardens' animals as well as interesting stories about them. The animals include Bornean orang-utans, buff-cheeked gibbons, emperor tamarins, golden-headed lion tamarins, black and white ruffed lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, American flamingos, red-crowned cranes and scarlet ibises.
 
     The activity is one of the programmes of HK SciFest 2019 and admission is free. Interested parties can assemble at 2pm at the information counter of the HKZBG's Education and Exhibition Centre.

     Starting from this year, the HKZBG will hold the "Meet-the-Zookeepers" activities more frequently with an aim of providing more opportunities for members of the public to learn more about the animals in the gardens in different times of the year. In addition to the April activity, the event will also be held on the following weekends:
 

• June 1 and 2 (Saturday and Sunday)
• August 3 and 4 (Saturday and Sunday)
• October 12 and 13 (Saturday and Sunday)
• November 30 and December 1 (Saturday and Sunday)

     For enquiries, please call 2530 0154 during office hours or visit the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/parks/hkzbg/programmes/zoo_education.html.

          

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Cathay Pacific Seattle Launch Gala Reception in Seattle during his visit to the US today (April 8, US West Coast time):
 
Lieutenant Governor Habib (Lieutenant Governor of Washington State, Mr Cyrus Habib), Senior Deputy Mayor Fong (Senior Deputy Mayor of Seattle, Mr Michael Fong), Mr Lyttle (Managing Director of Sea-Tac International Airport at the Port of Seattle, Mr Lance Lyttle), Rupert (Chief Executive Officer of Cathay Pacific, Mr Rupert Hogg), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening.
 
     I'm delighted to be here tonight, on my very first visit to Seattle with Cathay Pacific Airways. The fastest-growing major city in the United States, Seattle is blessed with a wealth of wonders, from this evening's venue, Chihuly Garden and Glass, to some of the most powerful brands in the world. I'm also delighted to learn that Seattle is a UNESCO City of Literature, home to baseball's Mariners, and of course, where Bruce Lee opened his first martial arts school.
 
     Now with direct Cathay Pacific Airways passenger service between Hong Kong and Seattle, the Mariners and the rest of Seattle, together with the glorious Northwest of America, can begin their season, their business trip or their holiday with us in Hong Kong – Asia's world city.
 
     Seattle is Cathay Pacific's eighth passenger gateway between Hong Kong and the US. And, as some of you may know, eight is an auspicious number in Chinese culture. A good-fortune-is-sure-to-follow number. Indeed, the timing of this new service could hardly be better for our two global cities.
 
     A thriving technology hub, Seattle boasts as many marquee technology giants, and rising start-ups, as coffee shops.
 
     The good news is that Hong Kong is also fast-emerging as a centre for innovation and technology.
 
     I can tell you, the Hong Kong SAR Government is doing all it can to accelerate that development. In the past two years, we have committed more than US$12 billion to expand our innovation and technology infrastructure, promote research and development (R&D), nurture and attract talent, and much more. 
 
     We have also put in place a super tax deduction of up to 300 per cent to companies for their R&D expenditure.
 
     And now with Cathay's direct flight service between us, the potential for innovation and technology collaboration is on the runway, readying for takeoff.
 
     So, too, is the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The regional development plan brings together Hong Kong, Macao and nine flourishing cities in the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong, Southern China – an emerging city cluster of more than 70 million consumers and a combined GDP of US$1.6 trillion.
 
     The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was announced in February. And it reaffirmed Hong Kong's leading role for the Bay Area in financial services, trade and transport – international aviation very much included – as well as innovation and technology. The future, in short, looks bright.
 
     I invite you to see for yourself. Last year, 1.3 million visitors from the US did just that – for business and for pleasure. We have plenty of both to offer.
 
     Collaboration begins with connections. With Cathay Pacific flying four times a week between Hong Kong and Seattle, our two cities, our two peoples, can now explore new ways to connect, new ways to excel together.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will enjoy this very special evening. I wish Cathay Pacific Airways the best of success with its new Seattle service. And I look forward to seeing you again soon in Hong Kong.
 
     Thank you.
 

  

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley tomorrow (April 10). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure
     
     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.
     
     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:
     
– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.