Police yesterday (May 13) laid a holding charge against three men and one woman, aged 39 to 59, jointly with one count of conspiracy to murder.

     Police received a report on May 4 that a male body was found in a construction site on East Coast Road, Airport District. Investigation confirmed that the deceased was a 30-year-old man.

     Upon in-depth investigation, Police arrested five men and two women, aged 24 to 59, in Hung Hom, Mong Kok, Aberdeen, Tuen Mun and Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre on May 12 in suspected connection with the case.

     Police yesterday laid a holding charge against three men and one woman, aged 39 to 59, jointly with one count of conspiracy to murder. The case will be mentioned at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (May 14). A 42-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman have been released on bail and are required to report back to Police in mid-June. A 56-year-old man is now in the custody of the Correctional Services Department for another case.

     Active investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of New Territories South is underway.

     The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, today (May 13) embarked on a visit to Israel and northern Europe to promote the latest business advantages Hong Kong has to offer.

     The visit covers Tel Aviv, Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen, where Mr Phillips will meet with business chambers and government leaders and speak at various business seminars. He will also meet heads of leading companies from a wide range of cutting-edge FinTech and technology sectors as well as start-up communities.

     Mr Phillips said, "At this juncture, Hong Kong is turning a new page in its economic development in light of the opportunities brought by the national Belt and Road Initiative and the growth engine in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. The business opportunities arising from the increased flows of people, goods and capital within the Bay Area will be immense, while Hong Kong as a strategic, international city will have a key role to play to help propel the growth of the Bay Area."

     He continued, "Hong Kong under the 'one country, two systems' principle offers an unrivalled edge including its geographical location, a vibrant business environment, a robust legal system, intellectual property protection, and deep, world-class financial and professional services, amongst others.

     "In recent years, the city has also offered new business opportunities in areas such as innovation and technology, creative industries, smart city and financial technology as well as biological technology. These advantages will provide companies and entrepreneurs looking to expand in Asia a solid platform to grow their business globally."

     During his first stop in Tel Aviv, Mr Phillips will meet with leaders in hi-tech sectors and speak at a seminar entitled "Asia at Your Fingertips" about opportunities resulting from the Bay Area development and other updates from the Hong Kong business scene. He will also meet with the Head of Invest in Israel, Mr Eyal Eliezer.
      
     In Stockholm, Mr Phillips will speak at a Stockholm FinTech Hub seminar, as well as meet with officials of the Sweden China Trade Council and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden. Mr Phillips will also meet some of the leading tech companies, notably in the augmented reality and cloud businesses. In Helsinki, he will speak at a seminar hosted by the Finland-Hong Kong Trade Association, and meet with heads of various companies. In Copenhagen, he will speak at a seminar hosted by the Copenhagen FinTech Lab and meet with heads of various FinTech companies.

About Invest Hong Kong

     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit two cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, namely Huizhou and Guangzhou, on May 16 and 17.

     Mrs Lam will meet with leaders of the Huizhou and Guangzhou Municipal Governments and the Guangdong Provincial Government to discuss the preparatory work for the future development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. She will also conduct visits to industries in relation to innovation and technology, scientific research, education and medical services, as well as communities where Hong Kong people live.

     Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on May 17. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be Acting Chief Executive.

     Hong Kong Customs smashed a suspected methamphetamine manufacturing and storage centre in Yuen Long on May 11. A total of about 32 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine was seized with an estimated market value of about $16.5 million.

     Customs officers intercepted a 44-year-old man in Yuen Long during an anti-narcotics operation in that evening. About 32 kg of suspected methamphetamine, as well as a batch of methamphetamine manufacturing equipment and raw materials were found in his residence in the same district. The man was then arrested.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers further seized about 60 grams of suspected methamphetamine from another residential unit of the arrested man in Sheung Shui. A 35-year-old woman in the unit was 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 dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

Attention TV/radio announcers:

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

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 13) that since the water off Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District is now suitable for swimming, the red flag has been lowered.

     The red flag was hoisted at the beach earlier on after a red tide was found.