The Transport Department today (November 17) reminded members of the public that the 40th round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) will be … read more
​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 16) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 14 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $3.1 million.
A 29-year-old male passenger and a 24-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 14kg of suspected cannabis buds inside their check-in suitcases. They were subsequently arrested.
The two arrested persons have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 18).
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 to 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.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (November 17) strongly disapproved of and rejected the recent biased and misleading remarks made by some foreign governments, politicians, officials and the media, etc, on HKSAR’s work in safeguarding national security and Lai Chee-ying’s case.
A HKSAR Government spokesman said, “Any attempt to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the HKSAR by means of political power, in order to procure a defendant’s evasion of the criminal justice process, is a blatant act undermining the rule of law of Hong Kong. We urge that foreign individuals and entities should respect the judicial system of Hong Kong and should not interfere with the trials in Hong Kong. The suggestion that any persons or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities is tantamount to granting such persons privileges to break the law and is totally contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.”
The spokesman continued, “Hong Kong’s rule of law and independent judicial power are guaranteed under the Basic Law, which specifically provides that the judicial power, including that of final adjudication, vested with the HKSAR, is to be exercised by the Judiciary independently, free from any interference. All cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. All defendants will receive a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.”
The HKSAR Government spokesman stressed, “National security is the top priority of any country and it is an international practice to enact legislation to safeguard national security. Western countries including the UK and the US are no exception.
“The Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and that the rights and freedoms that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, including freedom of speech and of the press, shall be protected in accordance with the law.”
The HKSAR Government pointed out that Hong Kong has always welcomed normal business exchanges, economic activities and people-to-people exchanges with different economies. On economic and trade co-operation in particular, the HKSAR Government spokesman said, “As one of the most open economies in the world, Hong Kong firmly supports free and open trade, and a multilateral trading system. We hope to develop fair and free trade relations and promote mutually beneficial outcomes based on the principle of mutual respect. At the same time, we will strive to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong businesses.”
The spokesman stressed, “The HKSAR Government will continue to exchange views with representatives of different governments and organisations on issues of mutual concern under the principles of mutual respect and equality, facilitate co-operation, exchanges and communication among different parties, and promote Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under ‘one country, two systems’.” read more
Following are the remarks by the Chairman of Hong Kong China Rugby, Mr Chris Brooke, at the media session after the second test event of the Kai Tak Sports Park today (November 16):
Good afternoon everybody. Hong Kong China Rugby was very proud being able to hold the first international sport event here in the Kai Tak Sports Park. I think it has been a very successful afternoon. We very much appreciated the support we have had from Kai Tak Sports Park and the Government in being able to put on the fixture today. It’s been a great opportunity for our team to come to operate an event here in advance of the Hong Kong Sevens next March as we build up towards the Sevens. So it’s been a great experience and a very good opportunity for our rugby community to come to the venue to experience the Kai Tak Sports Park and to see what a great venue it is. Overall, I think we have enjoyed a very successful day, despite the weather, but also very much helped by the result on the pitch. Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more
The Narcotics Bureau (NB) and the Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit of the Hong Kong Police Force have collaborated for the first time to stage a large-scale carnival, “Let’s T.A.L.K. LOL Party”, which will run for two consecutive days from today (November 16) at the West Kowloon Cultural District. The event will combine elements of sports, music and art to promote anti-drug and child protection messages to the public.
Officiating at the kick-off ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, said that both anti-drug and child protection efforts have always been of paramount importance to the Police, and that the Force is committed to keeping children and young people away from drugs and violence, and to ensuring that they grow up in a safe and healthy environment. He also mentioned the importance of education as the first step in prevention. Enhancing the knowledge and awareness of children and young people about drug harm and violent behaviour is the key to effectively reducing drug abuse and child abuse incidents.
The Police emphasised that following the latest Policy Address, the listing of the emerging etomidate (i.e. “Space Oil”) as a dangerous drug is expected to take place in the first quarter of next year, and the implementation of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance is scheduled for January 2026. The Force will intensify its cross-territory enforcement efforts and multi-sector publicity campaigns, aiming to establish a stronger anti-drug cordon for children and young people.
In the first three quarters of this year, the number of young people committing drug-related offences recorded a year-on-year decline of 27 per cent, with about 100 arrestees aged under 21 for serious drug offences, while child abuse cases increased by 7 per cent year-on-year to 1 090, with the youngest victim of physical assault being under one year old. These demonstrate the effectiveness of anti-drug publicity and education initiatives, alongside heightened public awareness of child protection. Nevertheless, more significant outcomes require collective anti-drug and child protection efforts across all sectors to create a drug-free and violence-free community in Hong Kong filled with love.
The carnival’s kick-off highlight, “Love Our Children Yoga Challenge”, called for 640 participants performing partner yoga together, breaking the world record and bringing joyful moments to all involved. Other exciting activities include over 30 game booths set up by various departments, child welfare institutions, as well as 100 mentees from the Leadership Institute on Narcotics (L.I.O.N.); the “3D Post-Drug Simulation” on the anti-drug promotional truck; the child protection promotional truck, and sharing sessions by rehabilitating drug addicts, to convey the messages of love for life and “Drugs? Never ever!”.
Other officiating guests at the kick-off ceremony included the Director of Crime and Security of Police, Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ms Chung Wing-man; the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions of the Department of Justice, Ms Catherine Ko; the Assistant Director (Family & Child Welfare) of the Social Welfare Department, Ms Wendy Chau; the Executive Chairman of the Hong Kong Youth Development Alliance, Ms Christine Lam; the Principal President of L.I.O.N., Mr Godfrey Ngai; Clinical Professor of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, Dr Patrick Ip; Convenor of the Working Group on Child Protection of the Commission on Children, Ms Kathy Chung; and the Ambassadors of the Child Protection Campaign, Ms Linda Wong and Mr So Wa-wai.
This first collaborative anti-drug and child protection carnival by the Police carries triple significance: sustaining the efforts in the “Love Our Life – LOL Party” large-scale anti-drug exhibitions over the past two years to offer L.I.O.N. mentees a platform to showcase their learning outcomes; serving as the finale of NB’s Anti-Drug Campaign; and marking the launch of the “Let’s T.A.L.K. Child Protection Campaign 2024”.
