Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 28) seized about 8.3 kilograms of suspected cannabis resin with an estimated market value of about $1 million at Hong Kong International Airport .

     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kolkata, India via Singapore yesterday afternoon. Upon examination of his check-in luggage, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected cannabis resin. The man, aged 22, was then arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     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 the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     A spokesman for the Security Bureau today (August 29) made the following statement:

     The Assistant Societies Officer provided additional information yesterday (August 28) in further support of her recommendation to the Secretary for Security to make an order for prohibiting the operation of Hong Kong National Party (HKNP) under section 8 of the Societies Ordinance (Ordinance).

     The Secretary for Security today wrote to the legal representatives of the convenor and spokesman of HKNP and provided HKNP with the additional information for the purpose of making representations as it thinks fit under section 8(3) of the Ordinance on or before September 11.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     As the Landslip Warning has been issued, the Home Affairs Department's Emergency Co-ordination Centre is now in operation.

     The Home Affairs Department will open temporary shelters for people in need of temporary accommodation.

     For details, please contact the centre on 2835 1473.

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, visited Qianhai today (August 29). He toured some Hong Kong enterprises there and also met with officials of the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Authority of Qianhai to exchange views on matters relating to co-operation between Hong Kong and Qianhai.

     Mr Nip first met with the Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Ai Xuefeng. He then visited the Qianhai Exhibition Hall, where he was briefed on Qianhai's latest developments by Member of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Director-General of the Pilot Free Trade Zone (Qianhai and Shekou) Administration, Mr Tian Fu. He also exchanged views with Mr Tian and officials of the Authority of Qianhai to explore ways to foster co-operation between Hong Kong and Qianhai and to leverage the complementary advantages of both places.

     "The Outline of the National 13th Five-Year Plan expresses support for expediting the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao co-operation platforms such as Qianhai, Nansha and Hengqin. I am pleased to learn that Qianhai has introduced a series of measures which facilitate Hong Kong people and enterprises working and doing business there. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue to strengthen ties with Qianhai and assist Hong Kong enterprises and professionals to explore business opportunities in the Mainland market. It will also make the best use of the platform of Qianhai to take forward the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," Mr Nip said.

     Mr Nip also visited a joint venture securities company set up by companies from Hong Kong and Qianhai and was briefed on its daily business operation. Established under the framework of Supplement X to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, the company represents a milestone in Shenzhen-Hong Kong financial collaboration.

     Mr Nip then paid a visit to a joint venture law firm set up by legal professionals from Hong Kong and the Mainland to learn about its advantages in rendering legal services.

     Mr Nip returned to Hong Kong this evening.

          

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately and repeat it at frequent intervals:

     "The Social Welfare Department announces that while the Red Rainstorm Warning has been issued, all child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres and day rehabilitation units, including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and day activity centres, remain open. However, if necessary, members of the public can contact the centres to make arrangements for the safe return home of their children and family members."