â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 6) seized about 4.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million in Hung Hom and Jordan. A man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.

     During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Hung Hom yesterday evening, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and found about 1kg of suspected cannabis buds inside a recycle bag carried by him. He was then arrested. Customs officers later escorted the man to his rented sub-divided flat in Jordan for a search, and further seized about 3.5kg of suspected cannabis buds there.

     The arrested man, who claimed to be a construction worker, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 8).

     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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, leading a delegation of about 20 persons comprising representatives from the Hong Kong Bar Association, the Law Society of Hong Kong and related sectors, attended the "Resolve2Win – Legal Services of Hong Kong, Opportunities for All" conference in Shenzhen today (August 7). Under the theme of synergistic development with Hong Kong to go global, the conference was organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to promote Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services.

     The conference was attended by more than 300 representatives from the legal, business and other sectors. Delivering his remarks at the conference, Mr Lam said that as the only common law jurisdiction within the country, Hong Kong has the unique advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world. Under the guiding principles set forth in the Action Plan on the Construction of Rule of Law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the DoJ has been actively promoting the construction of the rule of law in the GBA. Through the interfacing of mechanisms, regulatory frameworks and talent which constitutes the "Three Interfaces", the connectivity of hardware and software in the construction of rule of law in the GBA will continue to be promoted. Hong Kong's position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region would also be leveraged to assist the joint development of the GBA.

     This was followed by two panel discussion sessions. The first session discussed the global business strategy of enterprises regarding the enhancement of compliance strategy and cross-border dispute resolution. Speakers comprising seasoned legal professionals from Hong Kong and a representative from a Shenzhen company discussed issues on compliance arising from enterprises' pursuit of international business development. Different cases were also cited to demonstrate Hong Kong's unique advantage as a one-stop legal service platform in handling cross-border business and trade transactions and commercial disputes, offering comprehensive legal services for enterprises at different stages of development.

     The second discussion session was about digital transformation in the context of the development of emerging technology and opportunities brought about for enterprises. Seasoned legal professionals from Hong Kong talked about the development opportunities offered by emerging technology to enterprises, and the potential legal risks therein. They also introduced to the audience the latest lawtech services in Hong Kong. The conference was concluded by the closing remarks of Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC Dr Patrick Lau. The networking luncheon was then held, where Mr Lam gave a keynote speech.

     Upon his arrival in Shenzhen yesterday (August 6), Mr Lam first visited the GoGBA Business Support Centre at the Futian High Speed Rail Station, launched by the HKTDC this year, to have a better understanding of the latest developments of Shenzhen and the global business strategy of enterprises, before attending a networking luncheon with the Shenzhen Federation of Industry and Commerce. He then visited the first specialist technology company listed in Hong Kong under Chapter 18C of the Listing Rules, XtalPi, to learn more about its business development and how Hong Kong's comprehensive legal professional services could provide high-quality and diverse cross-border support to GBA enterprises as well as domestic and overseas investors. It was followed by a visit to the exhibition centre of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, where Mr Lam learned about its work on promoting the interface of the rules and mechanisms between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. In the evening, Mr Lam attended a dinner and met with member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee Mr Chen Qing.

     Mr Lam and his delegation will depart for Foshan this afternoon to continue their visit in the GBA.

              

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 is 105.2 (up 0.4 against yesterday's index).

     In response to the Japanese Government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on August 6 to noon today (August 7), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 364 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 74 361 samples of food imported from Japan (including 47 815 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 17 346 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     â€‹The services provided by Mobile Library 5 have resumed after completion of urgent repairs to the mobile library van, a Leisure and Cultural Services Department spokesman announced today (August 7).
 
     â€‹The service points of Mobile Library 5 are Ta Kwu Ling in North District; Hin Keng Estate, Kam Ying Court, Kam Tai Court, Mei Tin Estate, Yan On Estate and Yiu On Estate in Sha Tin; Ming Tak Estate, Yee Ming Estate and Mang Kung Uk Road in Sai Kung; and Tai Wo Estate, Nai Chung, On Ho Lane, Fu Shin Estate and Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po.

     â€‹For enquiries about Mobile Library 5 services, please call 2696 5842.