Tag Archives: China

     The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (February 1) held a joint press conference to report on the preparation work for coping with the peak travel periods during the Lunar New Year holidays and remind members of the public not to bring prohibited and controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. 
      
     “With the approach of the Lunar New Year, it is expected that many members of the public and travellers will enter or leave Hong Kong through various control points during the holidays. To prepare for the arrival of visitors and cater for the commuting needs of Hong Kong citizens during the Lunar New Year, the C&ED will flexibly deploy manpower with a view to ensuring smooth operation and strengthened passenger clearance at each control point, including provision of round-the-clock Customs clearance service at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point from February 9 to 13 and extending the passenger clearance service at the Lo Wu Control Point on February 9 and 11 to 2am the next day. The C&ED will maintain close liaison with the Mainland Customs and Macao Customs to share the latest real-time situation of each control point, so that necessary co-ordination and arrangements could be made. Also, the Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre, composed of Customs, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department and other departments, will be activated during the Lunar New Year holidays to monitor the situation at each land control point and take contingency actions where necessary,” the Head of Cross-boundary Bridge Command of Customs, Mr Kenneth Chu, said at the press conference.

     “Envisaging that many members of the public may do festive shopping across the boundary around the Lunar New Year, the C&ED reminds them to pay attention to relevant import and export requirements to avoid bringing in prohibited and controlled items unknowingly and the possible prosecution entailed. This January, the C&ED uncovered 97 cases related to endangered species, with seizures including American ginseng, orchids and dried seahorse. All cases have been handed over to the AFCD for follow-up actions,” he added.
      
     Endangered Species Protection Officer of the AFCD Dr Jenny Lau introduced the commonly seized regulated species at the press conference and said, “As some plant and animal species are facing the threat of extinction due to over-exploitation, the import and export of such species are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), the import, export, re-export or possession of endangered animals and plants, including their parts and/or derivatives, are subject to control under a licensing system.”
      
     Dr Lau also noted that more than 400 cases involving endangered species were made in 2023. The specimens involved include American ginseng, orchids (including artificially propagated species such as moth orchid), gastrodia, dendrobium, dried seahorses and scheduled shark species (including shark fins). As the Chinese New Year holidays are approaching, members of the public should pay attention to whether the plant and animal products they intend to buy from places outside Hong Kong are endangered species. As it might not be easy to identify whether those products are originated from endangered species, members of the public are advised not to buy such items if they cannot ascertain whether the items are subject to control.
      
     The AFCD reminded members of the public that any person who contravenes the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited. For information on endangered species, please call 1823 or visit www.cites.hk.
      
     Members of the public are also reminded not to bring manufactured fireworks into Hong Kong. Under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, any person who conveys such items without a valid licence commits an offence, and offenders are liable to prosecution. In addition, according to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations, any person who imports game, meat, poultry or eggs needs to hold a valid permission issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Rice is the only reserved commodity under the Reserved Commodities (Control of Imports, Exports and Reserve Stocks) Regulations (Cap. 296A). Licences for rice imported for local consumption are issued only to companies registered with the Trade and Industry Department as stockholders. No licence is required for the import of rice carried in the personal baggage of a person for personal consumption or as gifts, in an amount not exceeding 15 kilograms. Members of the public are urged not to involve in such illegal activities.
      
     Regarding alternative smoking products, starting from April 30, 2022, any person who imports, promotes, manufactures, sells or possesses for commercial purposes alternative smoking products, including electronic cigarette products, heated tobacco products, herbal cigarettes and any related devices, parts and accessories, commits an offence. Since February 1, 2023, cannabidiol (CBD) is classified as dangerous drugs. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing CBD into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance are complied with. To avoid breaching the law inadvertently, members of the public should pay special attention to the packaging labels of those products.
      
     With the successful launch of the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles scheme on July 1, 2023, Hong Kong residents who have successfully enrolled can travel to the Mainland during the Lunar New Year holidays by driving via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB). The C&ED has prepared designated promotional videos and leaflets (www.customs.gov.hk/hcms/filemanager/tc/content_308/QFA_Clearance_Guideline.pdf) to introduce the Customs clearance routes, procedures and points to note for private cars travelling outbound and inbound via the HZMB Hong Kong Port, which are available for the public on the C&ED homepage and YouTube channel. The C&ED reminded drivers to pay attention to the instructions given by Customs officers at the land control points, and inbound drivers are not entitled to the duty-free concessions. Drivers carrying any quantity of tobacco products or alcoholic liquor with an alcoholic strength above 30 per cent are required to make declaration to Customs officers.
      
     During the Lunar New Year holidays, Customs will further step up the promotion and education effort by distributing the Smart Guide to Passenger Clearance (www.customs.gov.hk/hcms/filemanager/en/content_185/Smart_Guide_to_Passenger_Clearance_E.pdf) at boundary control points to remind members of the public and travellers about regulations of import and export controlled and prohibited items, as well as disseminating information they should be aware of when crossing the boundary via the Customs website and social media platform pages.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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). read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 1) investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) at a secondary school in Wong Chuk Hang, and appeals to members of the public and staff of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene, and receive seasonal influenza vaccination for better protection.

     The outbreak involves 55 students, comprising 42 males and 13 females aged 12 to 20. Most of the affected persons are Secondary Six students. Eleven staff members are also involved. They have developed symptoms since January 27. Twelve of them sought medical attention. All are in stable condition and none required hospitalisation.

     The officers of the CHP have visited the secondary school and provided preventive advice against URTI, such as advising the school to arrange cleaning and disinfection, to open windows where appropriate for better ventilation, to separate affected students from other students, etc. The school has been placed under medical surveillance.

     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• For high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised), wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the nose and mouth with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     â€‹â€‹â€‹Members of the public, particularly children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, should consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection. read more

     A Government spokesman today (February 1) reminded members of the public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong without a required licence and not to import regulated food illegally when returning from visits to other places.
      
     The spokesman said, “As some plant and animal species are facing the threat of extinction due to over-exploitation, the import and export of such species are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586, is the local legislation that gives effect to CITES in Hong Kong. Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, the import, export, re-export or possession of endangered animals and plants, including their parts and/or derivatives, is subject to control under a licensing system.”
      
     Any person who contravenes the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, even for non-commercial purposes, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000,000 and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited. More than 400 seizures were made in 2023. The specimens involved include American ginseng, orchids (including artificially propagated species such as moth orchid), gastrodia, dendrobium, dried seahorses, and scheduled shark species (including shark fins).
      
     “As the Chinese New Year holidays are approaching, there have been a number of recent cases in which members of the public were intercepted for illegally bringing orchids from the Mainland back to Hong Kong. Members of the public should pay attention to whether the plant and animal products they intend to buy from places outside Hong Kong are endangered species. As it might not be easy to identify whether the wildlife products are originated from endangered species, members of the public are advised not to buy such items if they cannot ascertain whether the items are subject to control,” the spokesman continued.
      
     The Government is committed to the protection of endangered species. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely and step up their enforcement work in combatting the illegal trade in endangered species. For information on endangered species, please call 1823 or visit www.cites.hk.
      
     Meanwhile, the spokesman further said that according to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap. 132AK), any person who imports game, meat, poultry or eggs should produce a health certificate issued by an issuing entity from the place of origin or obtain prior permission in writing from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment. Moreover, under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), import licences issued by the FEHD are required for the import of frozen or chilled beef, mutton, pork and poultry.
      
     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the FEHD has all along maintained close collaboration with the other law enforcement departments. Joint blitz operations are carried out at boundary control points where quarantine detector dogs are deployed to assist law enforcement officers in carrying out surveillance work to combat illegal food import. During the joint operations with Hong Kong Customs in 2023, the CFS instituted a total of 1 117 prosecutions involving inbound persons illegally bringing raw meat, poultry or eggs into Hong Kong, with respective fines of between $150 and $4,500 levied.
      
     With the Lunar New Year holidays approaching, the CFS will step up the publicity of the relevant regulations to remind members of the public not to contravene the law.

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     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (February 1) that the Lai Wan Market, after an overhaul, is ready to commence operation in phases. The market will start business tomorrow (February 2) … read more

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the 15th meeting of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) today (February 1). 
      
     At the meeting, members were briefed by government representatives on the implementation of the Youth Development Blueprint since its release in December 2022. Members were pleased to note that the feedback received from various sectors of the community on the Blueprint is positive and the community agrees with the Blueprint’s vision and general direction. Policy bureaux and departments have also been taking forward youth development work at full steam along the guiding principles set forth in the Blueprint and implementing more than 160 concrete actions and measures as stated therein. Over the past year, close to 60 new youth-related measures have been put forward to consistently respond to the evolving needs of young people.
      
     Mr Chan said, “The Blueprint demonstrates the Government’s commitment to continuously promoting long-term youth development work. Policy bureaux and departments work closely together, progress with the times and break new ground while upholding fundamental principles. Apart from actively taking forward the various concrete actions and measures as set out in the Blueprint, policy bureaux and departments have also introduced various new measures in the light of the latest situation of the society and the youth. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the YDC for their full collaboration with the Government in fully implementing and promoting the Blueprint.”
      
     At the meeting, members also noted the progress of the various youth development initiatives under the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the YDC. The major initiatives are as follows:

     (1) In 2023-24, the HYAB and the YDC implemented various Mainland and overseas internship and exchange programmes which provide over 4 800 internship places and over 36 000 exchange places to young people. These programmes cover various Mainland provinces and cities, as well as 42 overseas countries, including countries in the Belt and Road region, providing young people with diversified internship and exchange opportunities; 

     (2) The Government’s inaugural Youth Festival was held in 2023 with the slogan “Ignite Youth Power”. Around 200 activities, which included knowledge exchange, arts and culture as well as sports activities, were featured to strengthen cohesion among and unleash the potential of the youth, and promote positive thinking among young people;

     (3) The HYAB launched the Youth Link in September 2023 to link up participants of various government youth programmes. It provides young people with opportunities to develop diverse talents through participating in seminars, different types of large-scale government activities, and exchange visits to the Mainland and overseas, and strengthen their communication, interaction and trust with the Government. More than 5 000 youths have joined the Youth Link;

     (4) The HYAB has established the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the Greater Bay Area in December 2023. The Alliance will leverage the resources and network of representative organisations from various sectors in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to provide a one-stop information, publicity and exchange platform and offer comprehensive support to Hong Kong youth entrepreneurs, with a view to facilitating their expansion of network in the GBA and enhancing their competitiveness;

     (5) The HYAB will continue to take forward each of the projects under the Youth Hostel Scheme. The second youth hostel project, whose construction cost was fully funded by the Government, has come into operation since May 2023, providing 1 680 hostel places. Moreover, the HYAB launched the Subsidy Scheme for Using Hotels and Guesthouses as Youth Hostels in early 2023, under which three projects with the provision of 478 hostel places in total have been approved; and

     (6) The HYAB and the YDC launched the Funding Scheme for Youth Positive Thinking Activities and the Funding Scheme for Youth Adventure Training Activities in late 2022. The first round of the two funding schemes subsidises 11 non-government organisations in total to organise projects promoting young people’s positive thinking. The sponsored organisations have gradually rolled out their activities, which will last for two years, with the total number of beneficiaries estimated to be more than 16 000.
      
     Mr Chan said, “Young people are the future, hope and pillars of Hong Kong. They are also the engine that drives the long-term development of society and the economy. In the coming year, I hope that the YDC will continue to work hand in hand with the Government in drawing the community together to support youth development and provide our younger generation with an enabling environment to build their future.” read more