Hong Kong Customs today (August 10) conducted a special enforcement operation to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 1 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods of famous brands with an estimated market value of about $1.5 million.
          
     Customs earlier conducted patrols and discovered some retail shops selling suspected counterfeit goods. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action today and raided two shops selling suspected counterfeit famous brand goods and a storage centre of suspected counterfeit goods in Causeway Bay. The batch of suspected counterfeit goods of famous brands, including clothing, leather goods and footwear, was seized.

     During the operation, a 33-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities.

     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Also, traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

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

    

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 10) announced that two kinds of chocolate products manufactured in Canada might contain food allergens, milk and/or tree nuts (cashew, almond and/or hazelnut), but they were not declared on the products' food label. A spokesman for the CFS advised consumers who are allergic to milk and tree nuts not to consume the affected batches of the products. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected products immediately should they possess them.

     Details of the products are as follows:

Product name: Dark Chocolate Almonds
Brand: Organic Traditions
Pack size: 100g
Place of origin: Canada
Importer: Jireh International Health Ltd
Best-before date: (i) February 28, 2023, and (ii) March 28, 2023

Product name: Dark Chocolate Hazelnuts
Brand: Organic Traditions
Pack size: 100g
Place of origin: Canada
Importer: Jireh International Health Ltd
Best-before date: (i) January 30, 2023, and (ii) March 8, 2023

     "The CFS received a notification from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency through the International Food Safety Authorities Network that the manufacturer of the products concerned is recalling the affected batches of the above-mentioned products because they may contain food allergens, milk and/or tree nuts (cashew, almond and/or hazelnut), but they are not declared on the products' food label. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately followed up with the local importer concerned. A preliminary investigation confirmed that the above-mentioned importer had imported the affected batches of the products. The importer concerned has stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected products and initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public can call the importer's hotline at 2838 8902 for enquiries during office hours about the recall," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman advised consumers who are allergic to milk, cashew, almond and hazelnut to stop consuming the products concerned, and they should seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming them.

     "People who are allergic to milk, cashew, almond and hazelnut may have immunologic response like vomiting, diarrhoea and rash upon consumption of food containing these allergens. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may even develop. As for other members of the public, generally speaking, they would not be subject to such reactions when the food in question is consumed," he said.

     The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     The CFS will alert the trade to the incident and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

     The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung today (August 10) expressed support for the white paper on "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era" published by the Central Government, and said he would fully facilitate, in accordance with the law, all measures combatting foreign and external elements in their attempts to pursue "Taiwan independence".

     The Preamble of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China clearly stipulates that Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China. The white paper has clearly stated that the fact that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China shall not be questioned nor changed.

     Mr Tang pointed out that attempts to separate Taiwan from the People's Republic of China amount to secession, which is a serious offence endangering national security. It is obvious that safeguarding national security falls within the internal affairs of every sovereign state. The bullying acts of foreign elements in condoning and inciting separatist forces advocating "Taiwan independence" to stir up trouble in a provocative manner, and constantly undermining the peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region have not only seriously violated international norms, but also grossly interfered in China's internal affairs.

     Mr Tang reiterated that it is the common responsibility of all the people of China, including the people of Hong Kong, to safeguard the sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China. The Security Bureau will lead the disciplinary forces to fully fulfil the constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security, and resolutely combat in accordance with the law acts that challenge national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, with a view to ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.

     In response to the white paper titled "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era" published today (August 10) by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, issued the following statement:

     The white paper "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era" clearly explains that Taiwan is part of China, a fact supported by history and law, from the historical point of view as well as from the perspectives of international law and the Constitution of the People's Republic of China.

     The white paper also quotes the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong as an example, acknowledging that "one country, two systems" is the basic principle to achieve peaceful national reunification.

     I support the great reunification of the motherland in accordance with the principles as stated in the white paper.

     The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office published a white paper titled "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era" today (August 10). The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, expressed full support for and steadfast commitment to upholding the white paper. He stated that resolving the Taiwan question and realising China's complete reunification are a shared aspiration of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation, and are indispensable to realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.  
 
     Mr Chan said the white paper states clearly the country's stand on the Taiwan question by fully illustrating historical developments and legal facts, including that Taiwan has been part of the sacred territory of China since ancient times; that Taiwan's status as part of China is unalterable; and that the one-China principle represents the universal consensus of the international community. The country has unflinching resolve, will and ability to resolve the Taiwan question and achieve complete reunification. Any attempts to pursue "Taiwan independence" are doomed to fail. As a part of the country, Hong Kong will firmly support all measures taken by the country to fully safeguard national sovereignty, security and core interests, as well as to forge the reunification of the motherland.
 
     Mr Chan added that "one country, two systems" has enabled Hong Kong to possess distinctive status and advantages. Its successful implementation has allowed Hong Kong to develop itself into a world-recognised international financial, shipping and trading centre, and to maintain convenient and smooth exchanges with the world as well as a free and open business environment which aligns with international rules. Hong Kong is entering a new phase of becoming more prosperous after achieving good governance, and the foundation of prosperity and stability have become ever more solid, and development prospects ever brighter, after the implementation of the National Security Law and improvements to the electoral system.
 
     To enjoy peace, develop well and live a good life are the shared aspirations of fellow compatriots in Taiwan; leading a better life is a common pursuit of fellow compatriots on both sides of the Straits. "One country, two systems" is the best institutional arrangement to achieve the peaceful reunification of the motherland, and is a great innovation under socialism with Chinese characteristics. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the Central People's Government in the new era, sons and daughters of the Chinese nation will definitely bring the best forces together to forge the motherland's reunification, and to realise the historical mission of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.