Tag Archives: China

     In response to the Japanese Government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on February 6 to noon today (February 7), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 200 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt” category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 52 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO’s website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 29 631 samples of food imported from Japan (including 19 863 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 8 322 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 is 104.9 (down 0.1 against yesterday’s index). read more

     Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs trafficking cases from January 3 till yesterday (February 6). Suspected dangerous drugs worth about $12 million in total were seized. The seizures include about 40 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, 3kg of suspected cocaine, about 200 grams of suspected crack cocaine, about 200g of suspected ketamine and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. Two men and a woman, suspected to be connected with the cases, were arrested during the operations.
      
     In the first case, through risk assessment, Customs on January 3 selected a seaborne consolidated consignment, declared as carrying pet foods and arriving from Thailand, for inspection at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon examination, about 40kg of suspected cannabis buds was found mixed with the pet food goods. Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted controlled delivery operations and arrested a 55-year-old male consignee who claimed to be a driver in Yuen Long on January 22. An investigation is ongoing.
      
     In the second case, Customs officers intercepted a 28-year-old woman during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Po Fung Road, Tsuen Wan, yesterday evening and found about 50g of suspected crack cocaine inside a paper bag carried by her. She was then arrested. Customs officers later escorted the woman to a village house nearby for a search, and further seized about 3kg of suspected cocaine, 150g of suspected crack cocaine, about 200g of suspected ketamine and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia therein. A 31-year-old man inside the premises, who was suspected to be connected with the case, was also arrested. The two arrested persons, who claimed to unemployed, have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The 28-year-old woman has been additionally charged with a count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (February 8).
      
     Customs will continue to enhance enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department 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 in and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
      
     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.
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     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).

    

     Hongkong Post announced today (February 7) that, as advised by the postal administration of Türkiye, mail delivery services previously impacted by earthquakes have returned to normal. read more

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs on January 20 seized about 9 400 suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of about $1.1 million at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. 

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers on that day intercepted an incoming lorry at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including mobile phone accessories, watches, footwear, handbags and clothes, was found inside the cargo compartment of the lorry. A 44-year-old male driver was subsequently arrested. 

     An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit goods would have been transhipped to overseas regions by the airfreight channel. 

     The investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation. 

     Customs will continue to strengthen co-operation with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and take stringent enforcement action against cross-boundary counterfeit goods activities. 

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years. 

     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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).