The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Housing began the two-day duty visit to Zhuhai and Shenzhen today (July 21), to learn about the manufacturing process of concrete Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) modules in Mainland, as well as to gain an understanding on how the cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area create high quality public housing and community facilities through green technology, modular construction techniques, etc.
 
​     The delegation arrived at Zhuhai in the afternoon. They first visited the factory of the China State Construction Hailong Technology Company Limited to gain insight of the manufacturing process of concrete MiC modules and explore how they are applied to public housing development in Hong Kong. Members also visited other construction technologies in the factory, such as construction robotic application.
 
​     Members then went to the Doumen DaHengQin 5.0 Industrial New Space in the Fushan Industrial City to learn about the "Well-being" design elements in the community. The Fushan Industrial City integrates "Production, Service and Living", and at the same time builds blue-collar hostels and living facilities to create a new industrial community that is pleasant to live and work in. The delegation visited the blue-collar hostels, leisure facilities, public open space and ancillary facilities in the community and gained better understanding on the daily life, consumption and entertainment of the residents.
 
​     The delegation arrived in Shenzhen in the evening and will continue its duty visit in Shenzhen tomorrow (July 22).
 
​     The delegation is led by the Chairman of the LegCo Panel on Housing, Mr Stanley Ng. The deputy delegation leader is the Deputy Chairman of the Panel, Mr Vincent Cheng. Other participating Panel members include Mr Paul Tse, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Mr Tony Tse, Mr Andrew Lam, Mr Leung Man-kwong, Mr Chan Hok-fung, Mr Gary Zhang, Ms Carmen Kan and Dr So Cheung-wing; as well as non-Panel members Ms Lam So-wai, Ms Judy Chan, Mr Chan Siu-hung and Dr Ngan Man-yu.
 
​     The Housing Bureau's delegation led by the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, will also join the duty visit.

      

     The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, today (July 21) led a delegation of the Housing Department and the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Housing comprising 16 LegCo members, to begin their two-day visit to Zhuhai and Shenzhen.
 
     The delegation arrived in Zhuhai in the afternoon. They first visited the Guangdong Hailong Construction Technology Company Limited and toured its production lines to learn about the robust production process and stringent quality control of concrete Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) modules, as well as the application of various construction robots (such as painting robots and welding robots). At a meeting, apart from introducing their latest research and development (R&D) outcomes, the company representatives briefed the delegation on their participation in the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA)’s public housing projects (e.g. Anderson Road Quarry project).
 
     Ms Ho said the Housing Bureau (HB) and the HKHA have been embracing innovative construction technologies. Currently construction robots have been or will be used in over 40 HKHA sites. For total public housing production scheduled for completion in the period 2028/29 to 2032/33, at least 50 per cent of the projects will adopt the MiC approach. The R&D and application of new quality productive forces should be strongly supported to facilitate the enhancement in speed, efficiency, quantity and quality of housing production.
 
     They visited the Fushan Industrial City and its staff quarters afterwards. The dormitories are in nature indemnificatory housing that were planned and designed to provide comfortable housing and comprehensive ancillary facilities for the staff of the industrial park. This is in line with the HB and the HKHA’s effort in striving to enhance the sense of contentment and well-being among its residents.
 
     The delegation will depart for Shenzhen this evening, and continue the visit tomorrow (July 22). They will visit local public rental housing projects, community facilities, learn about smart property management and meet with relevant local officials.

                    

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs on July 19 and 20 detected two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 1 kilogram of suspected cocaine and 7kg of suspected 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with a total estimated market value of about $2 million. Three persons were arrested.

     In the first case, Customs on July 19 intercepted at the airport a 48-year-old male passenger and a 25-year-old female passenger, who arrived in Hong Kong from Conakry, Guinea via Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, for Customs clearance. During clearance, Customs officers suspected that they had dangerous drugs concealed inside their body cavities. They were then escorted to the hospital for examination.

     Upon examination, it was confirmed that foreign objects were concealed inside the two persons' body cavities and they were arrested immediately. As at 3pm today (July 21), the arrested persons have excreted 97 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1kg in total. The estimated market value was about $700,000.

     In the second case, Customs on July 20 intercepted at the airport a 57-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Paris, France. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 7kg of suspected MDMA, with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million, concealed inside some bed sheets and the false compartments of his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

     The three arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 22). 

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

     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 Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok, officiated at the appointment ceremony for the Immigration Department (ImmD) Youth Ambassador Programme today (July 21) held in Shanghai. He appointed eight young people from Hong Kong who were studying or working in the East China region as the ImmD Youth Ambassadors.

     It is the third time ImmD appointing Youth Ambassadors in the Mainland, after Beijing and Guangzhou. The appointed Youth Ambassadors will receive diversified training provided by the ImmD during the one-year term, aiming at deepening their understanding of the operations of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the business scope of the ImmD. They will also collaborate with the Immigration Divisions of the Mainland Offices of the HKSAR Government, in disseminating and conveying the latest information and updates about the ImmD. The ImmD expects that Programme will broaden the Youth Ambassadors' horizons and lay a solid foundation for their future work in various positions within society.

     During the appointment ceremony, Mr Kwok encouraged the Youth Ambassadors to take this opportunity to enhance their understanding of the ImmD's policies and works, promote and introduce the works of the ImmD to the public, tell Hong Kong's good stories, and serve as a bridge between the youths of the Mainland and Hong Kong. Furthermore, Mr Kwok emphasised that young generation are the future of the country. He expected the Youth Ambassadors to utilise their strengths, keep learning and progressing, and make contribution to the stability and prosperity of the country and Hong Kong.

     The ImmD launched the ImmD Youth Ambassador Programme in 2023, and appointed eight young people living in Beijing to be the first batch of Youth Ambassadors in November of the same year. Subsequently, in March 2024, the ImmD appointed eight young people living or working in Guangdong as the second batch of Youth Ambassadors in Guangzhou.

    

     A sick 60-year-old male remand person in custody at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution died in a public hospital today (July 21).

     The remand person in custody suffered from liver cirrhosis. He required continuous medical care and follow-up treatment at the institution hospital and a public hospital. On July 11, he was sent to a public hospital for treatment due to physical discomfort. During hospitalisation, his condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 9am today.

     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner's Court.

     â€‹The person in custody was remanded for the offence of indecent conduct towards child under 16 in April 2024.