Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Transport Department (TD) today (December 27) announced that the 53rd Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be open for applications from January 1 to 31, 2025.
 
     Starting from January 1, 2025, applications will be invited for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the TD no later than January 31, 2025. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot.
 
     The application form (TD 569) and the Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_application/index.html) or obtained from the TD’s Licensing Offices as well as the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department.
 
     Interested persons should complete and submit the application form through one of the following ways:
 
(a) by post to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. Applications received by post will be dated by the postmark; 
 
(b) via the drop-in box at any of the TD’s Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin. For easy identification, please mark “PVRM Application” on the envelope of the application; or
 
(c) through the online application service at the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/ospvrm.htm) if the applicant possesses an “iAM Smart+” account with the digital signing function (for Hong Kong residents only) or a digital certificate.
 
     Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application form. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service at the GovHK website.
 
     No payment of deposit is required when submitting an application. Each applicant can submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, all of his or her applications will not be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.
 
     Upon successful submission of an online application, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement immediately. Those who submit applications by post or drop-in box will receive the TD’s acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call 2804 2600. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 27) that… read more

     â€‹The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (December 26) strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects US’ reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA) incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

     A spokesman for the Government said, “In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state’s inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. With at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security, the US has exposed its double standards by pointing the finger at the HKSAR’s legal system and enforcement mechanism to safeguard national security.”

     “The Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) also clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The offences endangering national security stipulated by the related Ordinance target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity, aiming at addressing, combating, deterring and preventing acts and activities of endangering national security. It targets only an extremely small minority of people without affecting the basic rights and freedoms lawfully enjoyed by Hong Kong residents.”

     He said, “The US openly clamour for so-called ‘sanctions’ with an aim to intimidate HKSAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns its political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all. The HKSAR despises the so-called ‘sanctions’ and will not be intimidated by such a despicable behaviour. The HKSAR will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security.”

     The HKSAR Government has been enforcing the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) fully and vigorously to fulfil our international obligations. We have long been maintaining an effective mechanism for implementing the resolutions of the UNSC. That includes denying entry of vessels designated by the UNSC as well as suspicious vessels, keeping a close watch on and inspecting suspicious Hong Kong-based companies to prevent them from participating in activities evading UNSC sanctions. At the same time, the HKSAR Government has been implementing a comprehensive and robust control regime over the import and export of strategic commodities and maintaining active participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty through the Central People’s Government. The effectiveness of our work has been well respected and recognised by our trading partners and internationally.

     The US has substantial economic interest in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, it registered a trade surplus of about US$270 billion with Hong Kong. Currently, some 1 390 US companies operate in Hong Kong. If the US insists on its acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies.

     The spokesman reiterated that foreign governments and legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR. read more

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Yellow fire danger warning      The fire danger situation today (December 26) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hi… read more

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 24) and today (December 25) detected three drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 6.6 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 10kg of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $10 million.

     The first case involved a 46-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Lagos, Nigeria, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found him to be suspicious and suspected that the passenger had dangerous drugs concealed inside his body cavity. He was then escorted to the hospital for examination. Upon examination, the man was confirmed by a doctor to have foreign objects concealed inside his body cavity and was arrested subsequently. As at 7pm today, the arrested person has discharged 69 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1.2kg in total.

     The second case involved one male passenger, aged 29, and arrived in Hong Kong from London, England via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 5.4kg of suspected cocaine was seized from his carry-on suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested. The dangerous drugs were concealed in two stuffed toys and put inside his carry-on suitcase.

     The third case involved a 30-year-old female passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, today. During customs clearance, about 10kg of suspected ketamine was found in three plastic bags inside her check-in suitcase. The female was subsequently arrested.

     The investigation of the first case is still ongoing and the arrested man is currently under medical surveillance. 

     The arrested persons of the second and the third case have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (December 26).

     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 returns. 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).