Author Archives: hksar gov

     Hong Kong Customs seized a total of about 4.1 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $730,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on January 7.

     Customs officers inspected two parcels arriving in Hong Kong from Canada on January 7 and seized about 2.1kg and 2kg of suspected cannabis buds inside the parcels.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (January 9) arrested two men in Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun, aged 34 and 47 respectively, suspected to be in connection with the case.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     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.

     Customs also reminds that cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs under the Ordinance. Importation of products (including food and drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of food and drinks.

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

    

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold the exhibition “Traversing the Forbidden City – Architecture and Craftsmanship” from tomorrow (January 11) at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. The exhibition will feature 18 sets of exhibits, including architectural models, models of dougong (bracket sets) and replicas of ornaments on roof ridges and polychrome paintings, enabling visitors to learn about the rich cultural heritage and remarkable architectural concept of the Forbidden City.
      
     Focusing on the architecture and craftsmanship of the Forbidden City, the exhibition will introduce the origin, planning and architectural features of this palace, as well as highlight the most exceptional building in the palace – the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
      
     Highlight exhibits include a model of a seven-tier liujing dougong (lever bracket set) from the Ming dynasty; a model of a one-petal arm, one-cantilever and five-tier pingshenke dougong (bracket set between columns) from the Qing dynasty; “gold tile” (modern work), a type of square floor tile in the Forbidden City; and replicas of the polychrome painting bearing patterns of dragons on the ceiling of the Gate of Heavenly Purity and the ornaments on the roof ridge of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
      
     The Forbidden City was the residence and court of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Located on the central axis of Beijing, this imperial palace has been witnessing the changes of time across almost six centuries. It is the world’s largest and most well-preserved wooden palace complex.
      
     In addition, the exhibition will also feature the style and characteristics of Chinese buildings in Hong Kong, including the Tang Ancestral Hall at Ping Shan in Yuen Long, Tai Fu Tai and King Yin Lei, to help visitors understand the importance of conserving historic buildings.
      
     The Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is located in Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Admission is free and the exhibition will run until April 7. The exhibition is jointly presented by the LCSD and the Palace Museum. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at www.amo.gov.hk/en/whatsnew_20190108.php, or call 2601 7368.
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     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, January 10, 2019 is 103.6 (down 0.6 against yesterday’s index). read more

     All ordinary day schools, special schools and education organisations are invited to nominate candidates for the 13th election of the Council on Professional Conduct in Education (CPC).

     “Each day school may nominate one serving regular registered teacher, including the school head, to stand for election,” a spokesman for the Education Bureau said today (January 10).

     “Teachers may also run for election as independent candidates if they have the support of 60 serving teachers teaching in the same type of school.

     “Local teacher education universities and school sponsoring bodies, as well as school councils, associations of school principals and associations of teachers which have been approved to join the Hong Kong Teachers’ Centre as organisation-members on or before December 31, 2018 are also invited to make nominations,” the spokesman added.

     The CPC has a total of 28 seats under four categories – the teacher-nominated category (13), the organisation-nominated category (8), the parent representative-nominated category (3) and the Permanent Secretary for Education-nominated category (4). Candidates elected to the CPC will serve a two-year term from May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2021.

     Nominations should reach the bureau by noon on February 22, and voting for the teacher-nominated category will be held on April 10. The bureau calls on teachers, schools and education organisations to support and participate in the forthcoming election campaign.

     The CPC is a non-statutory body set up in April, 1994, following the recommendation of the Education Commission in its Report No. 5. Its terms of reference are:

* To advise the Government on measures to promote professional conduct in education;
* To draft operational criteria defining the conduct expected of an educator and to gain widespread acceptance of these criteria among all sectors of the education community through consultation; and
* To advise the Permanent Secretary for Education on cases of disputes or alleged professional misconduct involving educators.

     Enquiries about the election can be made by telephone on 2780 8432, by email to cpcoffice@edb.gov.hk or in writing to Room 702, 7/F, Kowloon Government Offices, 405 Nathan Road, Kowloon.     read more

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 9) seized about 300 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $800,000 and a duty potential of about $600,000 at Man Kam To Control Point.

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying assorted goods at Man Kam To Control Point yesterday. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes in 16 carton boxes mix-loaded with other goods on board the truck.

     The 62-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck was detained. 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 illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).