The Intellectual Property Department is using creative means, by way of professional drama troupes, to inspire primary and secondary students to understand the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights.

     News.gov.hk spoke with a representative from the department to learn more about the effectiveness of its interactive drama programme.

     Students who watched the drama also shared what they have gained from this creative learning outlet.

     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (November 17) in text and video format.

     â€‹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 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 open from 10am tomorrow (November 18) to 11.59pm on November 21, and the ballot result will be announced on November 22.

     Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk). Successful balloting applicants are required to submit applications for the scheme within the designated date and time randomly allocated by the computer system.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, continued his visit in Lima, Peru, on November 16 (Lima time). He attended the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting to exchange views with leaders of other economies on issues including trade and investment for inclusive and interconnected growth, innovation and digitalisation to promote  transition to the formal and global economy, and sustainable growth for resilient development.

     This year, APEC has adopted the theme "Empower. Include. Grow". Speaking at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting Retreat in the morning, Mr Lee pointed out that innovation and digitalisation are key drivers in propelling prosperity and inclusive growth. Noting that Hong Kong is proactively applying innovation and technology to develop new quality productive forces, Mr Lee stated that Hong Kong has directed efforts and resources to boost new industrialisation, advance the development of artificial intelligence, encourage cross-disciplinary research and development, and promote the integration of the real economy and the digital economy. On sustainability, Mr Lee mentioned that Hong Kong launched the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong in June this year, not only to seize opportunities brought about by the development of hydrogen energy, but also to facilitate matching between capital and quality green projects, in order to promote the green transformation of economies.

     Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong has put forward a series of measures to deepen reforms, exploring new growth areas and addressing public needs to create a better and more inclusive society. He expressed his hope to work with APEC member economies to contribute to the promotion of regional economic integration and development.

     In the afternoon, Mr Lee met with members of Hong Kong, China's delegates to APEC Voices of the Future (VOF) to learn about their experiences in joining the event. The VOF is an official youth exchange programme of APEC aiming at nurturing the next generation of leaders of the Asia-Pacific region. It provides a platform for the youth from different economies to interact and learn. Young delegates from different economies will jointly draft a Youth Declaration during APEC meetings, allowing leaders from different economies to understand the issues and visions that concern young people. Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to youth development, striving to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong and equipped with global perspectives, an aspiring mindset and positive thinking. Noting that this year's Policy Address strengthens the support for youth development, Mr Lee encouraged young people to leverage the opportunities brought by the relevant measures to make plans for the future of Hong Kong.

     In the evening, Mr Lee had a dinner with local business leaders in Peru. Speaking at the dinner, Mr Lee said that the Free Trade Agreement signed between Hong Kong and Peru signifies a stronger partnership and facilitates commercial exchanges between the two economies, bringing more business opportunities to Hong Kong and Peruvian enterprises.

     Mr Lee concluded his visit to Peru and will return to Hong Kong on November 19 (Hong Kong time).

          

     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'."