The Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, and Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Mr Tao Yongxin, leading delegations of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Shenzhen respectively, held the fourth meeting of the Task Force for Collaboration on the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy in Hong Kong today (February 7).
      
     At today's meeting, the HKSAR Government introduced the Northern Metropolis Action Agenda and the Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint, which were promulgated last year, as well as major tasks for the Northern Metropolis this year. These major tasks include commencing works for the second-phase development of Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen, the remaining-phase development of Kwu Tung North/Fanling North, and the first-phase development of the San Tin Technopole; and conducting public engagement on the land use proposals for four regions, including Lau Fau Shan, Ngau Tam Mei, New Territories North New Town and Ma Tso Lung. The HKSAR Government also introduced details of the implementation of the Second Phase Opening-up of Sha Tau Kok. The government of Shenzhen, on the other hand, introduced relevant development plans on the Shenzhen side connecting to the Northern Metropolis. 
      
     Both sides exchanged views on matters related to the collaboration on the Northern Metropolis including cross-boundary transport, planning of control points, etc. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening co-operation to pursue high-quality development.
      
     After the meeting, the delegation of the HKSAR Government and the delegation of the government of Shenzhen visited the Hong Kong Science Park. They were briefed by representatives of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation on the developments of the park and visited a medical robotics centre. After that, the delegations visited the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area to learn about the latest progress of the opening up of the area.
      
     Mr Wong said, "The Northern Metropolis adopts an 'industry-driven and infrastructure-led' approach as its key planning axle, and will forge a major hub for Hong Kong to integrate into the overall development of our country. When formulating the industry positioning of each region in the Northern Metropolis, we attach great importance to the development positioning and potential of the corresponding areas in Shenzhen, the transport link, connections between boundary control points, and the prospects for co-operation between the two places, ensuring that the planning of the Northern Metropolis complements the development of Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area for mutual benefits.
      
     Officials of the HKSAR Government attending the meeting today also included the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, as well as the heads of relevant departments.

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, chaired the 14th meeting of the Chinese Medicine Development Committee (CMDC) today (February 7) to listen to members' views on the latest progress of various policy initiatives on Chinese medicine (CM) development and engage in in-depth exchanges with the members on the formulation work of the CM Development Blueprint.
    
     Professor Lo said, "The Government attaches great importance to the development of CM, and has been stepping up efforts and devoting more resources to fully press ahead with various tasks in promoting CM development in recent years. In his 2023 Policy Address, the Chief Executive put forward a number of policy initiatives in relation to CM development, including taking forward the preparatory work for Hong Kong's first Chinese Medicine Hospital, strengthening integrated Chinese-Western medicine (ICWM) services, promoting scientific research and standard-setting for CM testing, formulating the CM Development Blueprint and boosting the establishment of CM talent pool."
 
     Professor Lo made particular reference to the CM Development Blueprint which will map out the vision and strategies for the future development of the CM industry in Hong Kong, with a view to optimising the top-tier design for the development of policies. The Chinese Medicine Unit (CMU) of the Health Bureau (HHB) has commenced last September the stakeholder engagement work for formulating the Blueprint, so as to collaborate with the CM sector in setting out the short, medium and long-term objectives for the overall development and long-term planning of CM in Hong Kong as well as making respective recommendations and action plans. In addition, the CMDC will set up a CM Development Blueprint Subcommittee and its three working groups to focus on discussions of various topics on CM development.
 
     During the meeting, representatives of the relevant government departments and organisations briefed the CMDC on the latest progress and major achievements of multiple policy initiatives on CM development, including:
 

• The construction and preparation work for the commissioning of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMH) is progressing at full steam, with the premises expected to be handed over in batches by next year to tie in with the need for service commencement. The CMH announced the composition of its core management team and signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine last month to foster co-operation on various fronts covering the preparatory work for the hospital's commissioning, exchange of CM talent, cross-boundary distance discussion of cases, establishment of a sharing platform for drug interaction alert notification and development of a scientific research network;

• Starting from October last year, the quota for government-subsidised CM outpatient services provided at the 18 Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres has been increased from about 600 000 per year to 800 000 per year, marking a 30-plus per cent surge in quantity;

• Having regularised the ICWM Pilot Programme early last year, the Hospital Authority (HA) has further extended the services to more public hospitals and other disease areas, including increasing the number of participating wards providing stroke care and introducing the new cancer care pilot programme in 2023-24;

• To accelerate the promotion of CM informatisation and digitalisation, and to facilitate the sharing of information, the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health is strenuously gearing up for the launch of a world-class Digitalised Chinese Medicines Information Platform, while at the same time taking forward the work on promoting testing, scientific research and education as well as enhancing international exchanges on CM drugs;

• Since the launch of the Chinese Medicine Development Fund (CMDF) in June 2019, nearly 7 500 funding applications have been approved to date, benefitting various stakeholders of the CM sector. The Government has also been continuously refining the funding arrangement of the CMDF, and has injected an additional $500 million to commission organisations to conduct large-scale training, publicity and research projects on strategically priority themes, and to take forward new capacity-building initiatives for the industry;

• The Government continues to establish closer exchanges with relevant ministries as well as various provinces and cities of the Mainland to initiate collaboration in the realm of CM, strengthening Hong Kong's role under the Construction Plan for the Chinese Medicine Highlands in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (2020-2025) for proactive integration into the overall development of CM in the country, and at the same time capitalising on Hong Kong's strengths to give full play to the city's role as the country’s gateway to the international markets and contribute to the internationalisation of CM;

• The Government actively promotes various types of high-quality CM talent nurturing projects, including co-organising the first edition of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Talent Short-term Training Programme with the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in November last year, and encourages local CM practitioners to actively participate in different CM training programmes and award schemes on the Mainland;

• The Government continues to encourage the CM sector to promote professional development and improve its standard, enhance industry development and expand new markets, deepen applied studies and research, and assist in tackling public health incidents; and

• Upon strengthening its functions since 2023-24, the CMU of the HHB has been dedicated to pushing forward various tasks in different aspects, including driving the overall planning and co-ordination on policies of CM development as well as deepening the communication and connection with CM stakeholders in Hong Kong and the Mainland.  

 
     Professor Lo added, "We would like to express gratitude to the members for their valuable advice on the Government's policy initiatives in promoting CM development. Among all, I earnestly anticipate that the two flagship institutions, namely the CMH and the GCMTI, will serve as the key platforms for the city's CM development in the future, giving strong impetus to promote the holistic and high-quality development of CM. With the support of our country as well as the joint efforts of the Government and the CM sector, the development of CM in Hong Kong will certainly usher in a new era, new opportunities and a new outlook."
 
     The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, as well as representatives of the relevant government departments and organisations also attended today's meeting.
 
     Established in 2013 and chaired by the Secretary for Health, the CMDC drives the direction and long-term strategies for the future development of CM in Hong Kong by providing recommendations to the Government on four key areas, including the development of CM services, personnel training and professional development, scientific research and development, and development of the CM drug industry (including CM drug testing).

    

     Police will implement crowd safety management measures and special traffic arrangements on both sides of Victoria Harbour on February 11 (Sunday) to facilitate the public to watch the Lunar New Year fireworks display.
 
Kowloon
———-
 
Crowd safety management measures in Tsim Sha Tsui
——————————————————————-
 
     Police will implement crowd safety management measures in Yau Tsim District and Hung Hom Waterfront Promenade, including pedestrianising roads at Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom Waterfront Promenade in phases.
 
     Depending on the prevailing crowd situation, Police will implement safety measures within the pedestrianised area including the closure of pedestrian subways and putting up barriers. One-way flow will be applied on overcrowded footbridges and in the vicinity of the waterfront promenade. If necessary, restrictions on access to MTR stations will be put into force by the MTR Corporation.
 
     The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the vicinity of the Clock Tower, and the Avenue of Stars are known to be popular gathering and vantage points. If these areas are saturated, the crowd will be diverted to other areas.
 
     At present, there are some construction works at West Kowloon Cultural District. The contractors have erected hoardings and barriers to seal off the area concerned with relevant notices displayed. Members of the public are urged not to enter these construction sites nor climb or lean against the barriers.
 
     Members of the public should follow the instructions given by Police officers and take heed of Police signage and broadcasts at scene.
 
Special traffic arrangements
—————————-
 
     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented by phases, until the crowd has dispersed and the roads are safe for re-opening:
 
A. Road closure
 
     The following roads will be closed, except for vehicles with permit:
 
Phase I (from 5pm onwards)
 
– Salisbury Road and Salisbury Road Underpass between Cheong Wan Road and Kowloon Park Drive;
– Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Metropolis Drive;
– Hung Hom Bypass between Salisbury Road and Hung Lok Road;
– Chatham Road South between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
– Southbound Chatham Road South between Cheong Wan Road and Granville Road, except for franchised buses and green minibuses (GMBs);
– Granville Road between Chatham Road South and Science Museum Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs;
– Canton Road between Salisbury Road and Gateway Boulevard;
– Southbound Kowloon Park Drive between Salisbury Road and Gateway Boulevard;
– Northbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Salisbury Road;
– Southbound Nathan Road between Granville Road and Salisbury Road;
– Carnarvon Road between Granville Road and Nathan Road;
– Hong Wan Path;
– Mody Lane;
– Mody Road;
– Mody Square;
– Granville Square;
– Minden Row;
– Hanoi Road;
– Bristol Avenue;
– Hart Avenue;
– Prat Avenue;
– Humphreys Avenue;
– Cameron Road;
– Cameron Lane;
– Hau Fook Street;
– Middle Road;
– Peking Road;
– Lock Road;
– Hankow Road;
– Ashley Road;
– Ichang Street;
– Haiphong Road;
– The slip road of Austin Road West at-grade eastbound leading to westbound Austin Road West near The Harbourside;
– The slip road of Austin Road West at-grade westbound leading to eastbound Austin Road West near the Xiqu Centre; and
– The left lane of westbound Austin Road West leading to Austin Road West roundabout.
 
Phase II (from 5.30pm onwards)
 
– Salisbury Road between Canton Road and Kowloon Park Drive; and
– Northbound Kowloon Park Drive between Salisbury Road and Gateway Boulevard.
 
Phase III (from 6pm onwards)
 
– Museum Drive; and
– Cultural Drive.
 
Phase IV (from 7.45pm onwards)
 
– Nga Cheung Road between Jordan Road and Austin Road West;
– Canton Road between Austin Road West and Kowloon Park Drive;
– Nathan Road between Austin Road and Jordan Road;
– Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road;
– Tak Shing Street between Nathan Road and Tak Hing Street;
– Southbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Granville Road;
– Northbound Chatham Road South between Granville Road and Observatory Road;
– Pine Tree Hill Road;
– Hillwood Road;
– Kimberley Road;
– Granville Circuit;
– Carnarvon Road between Kimberley Road and Granville Road;
– Kimberley Street;
– Shun Yee Street; and
– Granville Road between Nathan Road and Chatham Road South.
 
Contingency plan
 
    Depending on crowd conditions, the following roads may be closed:
 
– Hung Luen Road between Wa Shun Street and Hung Lok Road;
– Oi King Street; and
– Kin Wan Street.
 
B. Traffic diversions
 
     In connection with the road closure as mentioned above, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
 
Phase I (from 5pm onwards)
 
– Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Road will be diverted via Hung Hom Bypass to Cheong Tung Road South roundabout;
– Traffic along eastbound Metropolis Drive cannot turn right to southbound Hung Hom Bypass;
– Traffic along southbound Hung Hom Bypass must turn right to westbound Metropolis Drive;
– Franchised buses along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Public Square Street or westbound Jordan Road;
– Franchised buses and GMBs along southbound Chatham Road South must turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
– Traffic along southbound Canton Road must make a u-turn to northbound Canton Road outside China Hong Kong City;
– Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;
– Traffic along Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road will be re-routed one-way eastbound;
– Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn left to eastbound Granville Road;
– Traffic along Science Museum Road cannot turn to Mody Road and Granville Road;
– Traffic along southbound Salisbury Road near Hong Chong Road will be diverted to Tsim Sha Tsui East direction;
– Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Canton Road;
– Traffic along eastbound Granville Road near Chatham Road South must turn left to northbound Chatham Road South;
– Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road must turn left to northbound Kowloon Park Drive;
– Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn right to Peking Road;
– Traffic along westbound Cheong Wan Road leading to Chatham Road South must turn right to northbound Chatham Road South or directed to westbound Austin Road, except for franchised buses and GMBs;
– Traffic along westbound Austin Road West cannot turn to the slip road of Austin Road West; and
– Traffic along eastbound Austin Road West cannot turn to the slip road of Austin Road West.
 
Phase II (from 6pm onwards)
 
     Traffic along southbound Nga Cheung Road entering Austin Road West roundabout must turn left to westbound Austin Road West or make a u-turn to northbound Nga Cheung Road.
 
Phase III (from 7.45pm onwards)
 
– Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn right to westbound Jordan Road;
– Traffic along westbound Jordan Road cannot turn left to southbound Nathan Road;
– Traffic along westbound Austin Road and southbound Cox’s Road cannot turn to Pine Tree Hill Road;
– Traffic along Observatory Road cannot turn left to westbound Kimberley Street;
– Traffic along northbound Pilkem Street cannot turn right to eastbound Bowring Street;
– Traffic along eastbound Bowring Street must be directed to northbound Pilkem Street;
– Traffic along westbound Austin Road West must be directed to the elevated road of northbound Nga Cheung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Canton Road must turn to eastbound Austin Road or westbound Austin Road West;
– Traffic along eastbound Austin Road West cannot turn right to southbound Canton Road;
– Traffic along westbound Jordan Road heading to Nga Cheung Road must be directed to the Kowloon Station Public Transport Interchange; and
– Traffic along southbound Nga Cheung Road must turn left to eastbound Austin Road West.
 
Contingency plan
 
     Depending on crowd conditions, the following traffic diversions may be implemented:
 
– Traffic along southbound Hung Luen Road must turn left to eastbound Wa Shun Street;
– Traffic along westbound Wa Shun Street must turn right to eastbound Hung Luen Road;
– Traffic along southbound Hung Lok Road cannot turn left to eastbound Hung Luen Road; and
– Traffic along eastbound Hung Luen Road must turn left to northbound Hung Lok Road.
 
C. Suspension of on-street parking spaces
 
     All on-street parking spaces within the above closed road area in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom will be suspended from noon to 3am of the following day.
 
D. Suspension of car parks
 
     Vehicles parked in all car parks within the closed road area in Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon Cultural District cannot enter or leave the carparks from about 5pm and 6pm respectively, until the roads are safe for re-opening.
 
Hong Kong Island
—————-
 
     The following special traffic arrangements will be implemented by phases, until the crowd has dispersed and the roads are safe for re-opening:
 
A. Road closure
 
Phase I (Before the fireworks display)
 
Central District
—————
 
     Tramway Lane outside Lower Peak Tram Station leading from Garden Road to the office of World Wild Fund for Nature Hong Kong will be closed from 9am to 10pm, except for franchised buses.
 
Wan Chai North
————–
 
     Expo Drive East at the north of Expo Drive outside Golden Bauhinia Square including the pick-up/drop-off areas will be closed from 3pm to 9.30pm.
 
     The following roads will be closed from 5.30pm:
 
Central District
—————
 
– Man Kwong Street;
– Man Fai Street;
– Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Man Po Street;
– Loading and unloading area outside Central Ferry Piers 7, 8 and 9; and
– Unnamed Road near Lung Wo Road outside General Post Office metered parking spaces.
 
Central – Wan Chai Bypass
————————-
 
– The slip road linking eastbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass to Expo Drive;
– The slip road linking Lung Wo Road to eastbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass; and
– The slip road linking westbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass to Lung Wo Road.
 
Wan Chai North
—————
 
– Eastbound Fenwick Pier Street;
– Lung King Street;
– Eastbound Harbour Road;
– Expo Drive;
– Expo Drive Central;
– Expo Drive East;
– Eastbound Lung Wo Road between Edinburgh Place and Fleming Road;
– Westbound Lung Wo Road between Legislative Council Road and Fleming Road;
– Southbound and northbound Lung Hop Street;
– Lung Tat Path;
– Convention Avenue;
– Fleming Road Flyover;
– Fleming Road between Expo Drive and Harbour Road;
– Northbound Tonnochy Road between eastbound Harbour Road and Hung Hing Road;
– Southbound Tonnochy Road between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
– Marsh Road between Gloucester Road and Hung Hing Road;
– Marsh Road Flyover;
– Marsh Road between Hennessy Road and Gloucester Road;
– Marsh Road between northbound and southbound Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road;
– Hung Hing Road;
– Hung Hing Road Flyover;
– Wan Shing Street;
– Wan Ying Street;
– The entrance on eastbound Victoria Park Road to Causeway Bay Promenade; and
– The second left lane of northbound Tin Lok Lane between Hennessy Road and Wan Chai Road.
 
Peak area
———
 
– Northbound Peak Road beyond the car park entrance of Peak Galleria, except for residents’ vehicles;
– Barker Road, except for residents’ vehicles;
– All laybys along Stubbs Road between Peak Road and Stubbs Road roundabout; and
– All laybys along Magazine Gap Road between Peak Road and May Road.
 
Eastern District
————-
 
– Watson Road;
– Glass Street;
– King Ming Road;
– Hing Fat Street northward of Whitfield Road; and
– Whitfield Road.
 
     The following roads will be closed from 6.45pm:
 
Central District
————–
 
– Eastbound and westbound Yiu Sing Street;
– Westbound Lung Wo Road between Yiu Sing Street and Tim Wa Avenue;
– Tim Wa Avenue;
– Legislative Council Road;
– Tim Mei Avenue;
– Lung Wui Road;
– Unnamed road between Harcourt Road and Performing Arts Avenue;
– Performing Arts Avenue; and
– Edinburgh Place.
 
Wan Chai North
————–
 
– Tonnochy Road Flyover;
– Northbound Tonnochy Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;
– Harbour Drive;
– Southbound Fleming Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road; and
– Northbound Fenwick Street between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road.
 
Phase II (During the fireworks display)
 
     The following roads will be closed from 7.55pm:
 
Eastern District
—————-
 
– Westbound Central – Wan Chai Bypass, except for franchised buses;
– Westbound Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) between Victoria Park Road and Man Hong Street, except for franchised buses; and
– The slip roads leading to westbound IEC from Healthy Street Central and Tong Shui Road.
 
Phase III (after the fireworks display)
 
     The following roads will be closed from 7.55pm:
 
Central District
————–
 
– Man Yiu Street between Man Cheung Street and Man Po Street;
– Man Po Street;
– Finance Street between Man Yiu Street and Man Po Street;
– Legislative Council Road;
– Tim Mei Avenue; and
– Lung Wui Road.
 
Wan Chai North
————–
 
– Tonnochy Road Flyover;
– Northbound Tonnochy Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road;
– Harbour Drive; and
– Southbound Fleming Road between Gloucester Road and Harbour Road.
 
Wan Chai South
————–
 
– Lockhart Road between Percival Street and Luard Road;
– Jaffe Road between Percival Street and Luard Road;
– Southbound Luard Road between Gloucester Road and Jaffe Road;
– O’Brien Road;
– Fleming Road between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road;
– Stewart Road;
– Tonnochy Road between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road;
– Marsh Road between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road;
– Canal Road West between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road;
– Canal Road East between Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road;
– If necessary, Percival Street between Lockhart Road and Gloucester Road; and
– If necessary, westbound Gloucester Road Service Road between Percival Street and Canal Road East.
 
B. Traffic Diversions
 
     In connection with the road closure as mentioned above, the following traffic diversions will be implemented:
 
     From 5.30pm onwards:
 
– Rumsey Street between Chung Kong Road and Connaught Road Central will be re-routed one-way southbound; and
– All traffic along Peak Road towards Harlech Road, Lugard Road and Mount Austin Road will be diverted via the slip road beside the car park entrance at the Peak Galleria, except for residents’ vehicles or vehicles with permits.
 
     From 7.55pm onwards:
 
– Traffic along westbound IEC will be diverted to Man Hong Street;
– Traffic along westbound IEC to? Tong Shui Road slip road will be diverted to Wharf Road; and
– Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road West Flyover will be diverted to Finance Street.
 
C. Suspension of Public Transport Interchange
 
     Man Yiu Street Public Transport Interchange and Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from 5.30pm.
 
D. Suspension of parking spaces
 
– All on-street metered, motorcycle and disabled parking spaces at Tramway Lane outside Lower Peak Tram Station, Victoria Peak Garden and Mount Austin Road will be suspended from 8am to 10pm;
– All on-street parking spaces on Expo Drive East at the north of Expo Drive outside Golden Bauhinia Square will be suspended from 3pm to 9.30pm; and
– All on-street, metered, motorcycle and disabled parking spaces within the above closed areas in Central District, Wan Chai and Eastern District will be suspended from 3pm to 9.30pm.
 
E. Suspension of car parks
 
     Vehicles parked in car parks within the above closed areas in North Point, Wan Chai and Central District will not be permitted to enter or leave the car parks during the road closure period.
 
     If necessary, the car parks on westbound Gloucester Road between Paterson Street and Percival Street will be closed without prior notice.
 
     Police will continue traffic enforcement action during the Lunar New Year period. All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing. 
 
     Actual implementation of traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

    

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 6) detected a passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 21 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $13 million.
     â€‹
     A 25-year-old male passenger and a 25-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed in the false compartments of their check-in suitcases. They were subsequently arrested.
      
     An investigation is ongoing.
      
     Following the resumption of normal travel and exchanges with the Mainland and other parts of the world, the number of visitors to Hong Kong has also been increasing steadily. 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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

     In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary cold shelters in various districts today (February 7) for people in need of the service. The temporary shelters will remain open when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.

     Clean mattresses and blankets/quilts, hot meals and hot water will be provided to shelter users free of charge during the opening of temporary shelters.

     To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.

     Anyone seeking temporary refuge or with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters may call the department's hotline 2572 8427 for more information.

     The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
——————–

Central and Western:
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern:
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern:
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon:
——————

Kowloon City:
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong:
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin:
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong:
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories:
—————-

Islands:
Tung Chung Community Hall 
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing:
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung

North:
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung:
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O

Sha Tin:
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin

Tai Po:
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan:
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan

Tuen Mun:
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun

Yuen Long:
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long