Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Cold Weather Warning is in force: &nbs… read more
Police today (January 27) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok. Wong Ping-kau, aged 68, went missing after he left the elderly home on Ivy Street yesterday (Ja… read more
​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 26) mounted an anti-smuggling operation in Tung Chung and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a speedboat. A batch of suspected smuggled goods, with an estimated market value of about $4 million, was seized.
Early yesterday morning, Customs conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Ma Wan Chung, Tung Chung and spotted a light goods vehicle heading towards a waterfront. Later, several suspicious persons gathered at the waterfront were seen transferring the goods from the vehicle onto the speedboat. They were suspected of engaging in smuggling activities.
Customs officers immediately took action, and the above-mentioned persons swiftly jumped onto the speedboat and fled to the Mainland waters.
Later, Customs officers discovered another light goods vehicle which was loaded with goods in the same packing. It was suspected to be connected with the same smuggling activity.
A batch of suspected smuggled goods, including 24 carton boxes of frozen venison tails, 14 carton boxes of aquarium animals, and ten bags of suspected scheduled dried shark fins, was seized. Two light goods vehicles suspected to be connected with the case were also detained.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against cross-boundary smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.
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/).
​The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, officiated at the kick-off ceremony for the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme 2024 today (January 27). The Programme is a flagship youth talent development programme co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Youth Development Commission (YDC). The Programme aims at identifying and grooming a cadre of young talent with a sense of responsibility, and with aspirations and potential, as well as a passion to serve society, and who are willing to strive for the betterment of the country and Hong Kong. Sixty Youth Ambassador (YA) Cadets will join a multifaceted training programme centered on the theme “Gen S: Empowering a Sustainable Future”, enhancing their understanding of the concepts and application of “sustainability” and “sustainable development” in various sectors and industries, laying a solid foundation for them to engage in public policy discussions, community building and public affairs in the future.
Addressing the ceremony, Miss Mak said, “Hong Kong will prosper only when its young people thrive.” She pointed out that the future of young people is the future of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong is a place full of opportunities where people with different abilities and ambitions can unleash their strengths and pursue their dreams. She encouraged the YA Cadets to understand more about the youth development work by the HYAB and the YDC, including the various youth-related measures stated in the Youth Development Blueprint, which help address the needs of young people in different development stages.
Miss Mak said she hoped that the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme could identify and nurture more young talent with a sense of responsibility and aspirations. She said that she has full confidence in the future of Hong Kong and the young people of Hong Kong. The YA Cadets could unleash their full potential, further integrate into the overall development of the country, contribute to Hong Kong and the country, and tell the good stories of Hong Kong.
Other officiating guests included the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; the Vice-Chairman of the YDC, Mr Kenneth Leung; and the Commissioner for Youth, Mr Eric Chan. Members of the YDC also attended the ceremony.
The YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme offers unique training and exposure opportunities to participants and enhances their understanding of public affairs. For more information on the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme 2024, please visit the YDC’s webpage (www.ydc.gov.hk/ya).
Attention TV and radio duty announcers: Please broadcast the following special announcement as soon as possible, and repeat it at suitable intervals: A vegetation fire broke out in the v… read more