Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 30) seized about 2 570 kilograms of suspected scheduled red sandalwood, with an estimated market value of about $12.9 million, at Hong Kong International Airport.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday inspected an air consignment, declared to be carrying furniture raw materials, arriving in Hong Kong from Dubai. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected scheduled red sandalwood inside two large wooden boxes.

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

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

  

     Hong Kong Customs mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the south-western waters of Hong Kong on the night of December 29 and detected a suspected cargo vessel smuggling case. About 32 tonnes of suspected smuggled frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $5 million were seized. 

     Customs officers conducted an anti-smuggling operation that night and spotted a suspicious cargo vessel in the waters off Peaked Hill to the southwest of Lantau Island. The officers subsequently took action and intercepted the vessel. The batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat was seized on board the vessel. 

     During the operation, four men aged between 38 and 68, suspected to be connected to the case, were arrested. 

     An investigation is ongoing. 

     Customs stresses that it will keep up its enforcement action and will continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities by proactive risk-management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies. Targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times will also be mounted to land a solid blow against relevant activities. 

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

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

  

     The Government announced today (December 31) the membership of the Trade and Industry Advisory Board (TIAB) in the new term for two years from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023.
      
     The new members appointed are Dr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu, Mr Chan Chak-ming, Ms Jennifer Chan Pui-kwan, Mr Calvin Chau, Dr Allen Shi Lop-tak, Mr William Shum Wai-lam, Dr Kennedy Wong Ying-ho and Dr Yim Fung. Meanwhile, 19 incumbent members are re-appointed.
      
     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED), Mr Edward Yau, thanked the members for accepting the appointments. He said, "The TIAB serves an important function of advising the Government on promoting the development of Hong Kong's trade and industry, in particular on matters concerning how Hong Kong can leverage the opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, and how to cope with the changes in the economic situation such as the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the experience and expertise of members in their respective sectors, I am confident that they will offer valuable advice on promoting our work."
      
     He thanked the outgoing members, namely Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee; Mr Paul Lam Ting-kwok, SC; Mr Kenneth Leung Kai-cheong; Miss Nisa Bernice Leung Wing-yu; Mr Alan Lui Siu-lun; Dr Ma Jun; Dr Pang Yiu-kai; Dr Thomas So Shiu-tsung; Mr Wong Ting-kwong; and Dr Daniel Yip Chung-yin for their support and contributions to the work of the TIAB.
      
     The TIAB advises the SCED on matters affecting Hong Kong's trade and industry, including trade in textiles and garments, trade relations with the Mainland, the Belt and Road Initiative, the development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and related matters.
      
     The 2022-23 membership list of the TIAB is as follows:
 
Chairman
———-
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
 
Non-official members
———————–
Dr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu
Mr Chan Chak-ming
Miss Mabel Chan Mei-bo
Ms Jennifer Chan Pui-kwan
Mr Calvin Chau
Mr Ivan Chu Kwok-leung
Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi
Ms Miranda Kwan Ching-yi
Dr Stephen Kwok Chun-pong
Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung
Dr Peter Lam Kin-ngok
Mr Lau Chun-kong
Mr Steve Leung Chi-tien
Mr Frank Leung Yat-cheong
Mr Willy Lin Sun-mo
Mr Raymond Mak Ka-chun
Dr Dennis Ng Wang-pun
Dr Allen Shi Lop-tak
Mr Shiu Ka-fai
Mr William Shum Wai-lam    
Mr Sunny Tan
Mr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung
Mr Harold Wong Tsu-hing
Ms Connie Wong Wai-ching
Dr Kennedy Wong Ying-ho
Dr Yim Fung
Dr Eric Yip Chee-hang
 
Ex-officio members
———————
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs (or representative)
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism) (or representative)
Director-General of Trade and Industry (or representative)
Director-General of Investment Promotion (or representative)
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (or representative)

     The Government announced today (December 31) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Ma Ho-fai as the Chairperson of the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) and its 25 incumbent members, and has appointed Mr Tommy Tam Kwong-shun and Mr Ricky Tse Kam-shan as its new members, for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2022.
      
     On the appointments, the spokesman of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, "The Government welcomes the two new members joining the TIA, and appreciates the leadership of the Chairperson as well as the other members who draw on their professional knowledge and experience in different fields to take forward actively the TIA's preparatory work in formulating the new regulatory regime of the travel industry. We would also like to express our gratitude to the outgoing members, Mr Jason Shum Jiu-sang, Mr Jason Wong Chun-tat and Professor Cathy Hsu Hui-chun, for their dedicated service and valuable advice rendered to the TIA during their tenure."
      
     The TIA is a statutory regulatory body of the travel industry established under the Travel Industry Ordinance. It is primarily responsible for the licensing and regulation of travel agents, tourist guides and tour escorts.
      
     The membership of the TIA for the new term from January 1, 2022, is as follows:

Chairperson
————-
Mr Ma Ho-fai

Vice Chairperson
——————
Commissioner for Tourism

Ordinary Members
——————–
Trade members

Ms Lanny Leung Kong-lan
Mr Paul Leung Yiu-lam
Mr Martin Ma Yuk-man
Dr Priscilla Poon Chau-min
Ms Catherine So Ka-woon
Mr Tommy Tam Kwong-shun
Mrs Ann Tang Yu Li-hua
Mr Ricky Tse Kam-shan
Mr Tse Yun-sang
Mr Wong Ka-ngai
Ms Gianna Wong Mei-kiu
Mr Michael Wu Siu-ieng
Mr Yiu Pak-leung

Non-trade members

Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung
Ms Kerry Ching Kim-wai
Mr Alex Fan Hoi-kit
Mr Chris Ip Ngo-tung
Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung
Mr Kevin Lam Sze-cay
Mr Johnny Leung Ka-kui
Mr Fred Li Wah-ming
Ms Elaine Liu Yuk-ling
Dr Barry Mak Lui-ming
Mr James Tong Wai-pong
Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui
Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man
Mr Charles Yang Chuen-liang

     The Government gazetted today (December 31) the proposed road works to facilitate the redevelopment at Queen's Road West and In Ku Lane to be implemented by the Urban Renewal Authority. 

     Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plan and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

District Lands Office, Hong Kong West and South,
20/F, Southorn Centre, 
130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

     The gazette notice, scheme, plan and location plan are available at www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.htm.

     Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Housing an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Housing Bureau's drop-in box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettethb@thb.gov.hk. 

     A notice of objection should describe the objector's interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Housing not later than March 1, 2022.