Hong Kong Customs seized about 140 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried seahorses and 220kg of dried shark fins from a container with an estimated market value of about $420,000 at the Kwai Chung Customshouse Cargo Examinatio… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for Shatin Hospital made the following announcement today (June 7): Four male patients (aged 56 to 80) in a Medi… read more
A traveller who illegally exported incense tree wood chips has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (June 7).
A spokesman of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that Customs officers intercepted an outbound male passenger, aged 25, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized about 1.57 kilograms of incense tree (Aquilaria sinensis) wood chips from his backpack on June 5. The estimated market value was about $125,600. Upon investigation by the AFCD, the man was charged with illegal export of endangered species, and was convicted and sentenced to two months’ imprisonment at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today.
All Aquilaria species, including the native incense tree, are listed in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. They are regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
The import, export, re-export or possession of specimens of scheduled species not in accordance with the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance is an offence. The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 (Amendment Ordinance) came into effect on May 1, and the increase in penalties under the Amendment Ordinance also came into effect on the same day. The maximum penalty is a fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.
The spokesman also pointed out that according to the Forests and Countryside Ordinance, felling of tress on government land without permission is an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for one year.
The spokesman appealed to the public not to defy the law by smuggling agarwood or illegally felling incense trees. To enquire about the importation or exportation of endangered species and to report illegal imports or exports, the public can call the AFCD at 1823 or visit the website www.cites.hk.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 7) reported an update on its investigations announced on June 5 into two suspected food poisoning clusters related to a food premises in Kwun T… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
The Office of The Ombudsman today (June 7) held a seminar on Hong Kong’s postal services at the Central Mail Centre (CMC), with around 40 Advisers of the Office and Justices of the Peace (JPs) present.
In her speech, The Ombudsman, Ms Connie Lau, said, “The Post Office (PO) shoulders the important responsibility of handling the public’s mail and has to face various new challenges brought about by changing times and technological advancements. Improvements must therefore be made in its mail delivery and mail tracing systems.”
Ms Lau urged the PO to enhance its efficiency in handling mail, thoroughly consider the opinions and suggestions raised at the seminar, and actively communicate with stakeholders with a view to exploring with them the direction of future development in an effort to further improve its postal services.
In a guided tour arranged by the PO, Advisers of the Office and JPs present at the seminar looked at the CMC’s equipment, such as the culler facer cancellers and the Optical Video Coding Integrated Systems, and had a chance to understand front-line postal services as well as the mail delivery procedures. Representatives from the PO also spoke with them on the challenges that have emerged in recent years, while the participants discussed and raised their views regarding the role of the PO in the territory-wide mail delivery service.
Since 2010, the Office of The Ombudsman has organised seminars each year on various topics for JPs and Advisers of the Office. These seminars aim to enhance their understanding of the work of different government departments and public organisations and the role of the Office, and provide a platform for them to express their views so that they can help promote the work of the Office through their daily contacts with the public, thereby contributing to improvement in public administration and services in Hong Kong.
