â€‹Hong Kong Customs today (December 12) conducted a special operation in Mong Kok to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 7 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $900,000.

     Customs earlier conducted patrols and discovered some hawker stalls selling suspected counterfeit goods in Mong Kok. After investigations, Customs officers took enforcement action today and raided a number of fixed-pitch and mobile hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street where the batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, leather goods, jerseys, was seized.

     During the operation, two women, aged 45 and 70, were arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     With the Christmas and New Year approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities before and during the holidays.

     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark 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).

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Stephen Cheung, welcomed the Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint promulgated today (December 12), which outlines a forward-looking vision for strategic railway and major road networks up to 2046 and beyond.

     Professor Cheung said, "After an in-depth study and an extensive consultation by the Government covering the views of the TAC, this Blueprint aims to 'Drive Development', 'Strengthen Connection' and 'Improve Efficiency'. It has formulated and outlined a forward-looking framework for the city’s future transport infrastructure, including an enhanced proposal on the Three Railways and Three Major Roads, and new projects on the two railways and one major road. I welcome the Government's effort to continuously optimise the railway and major road networks, catering for the commuting demands of the public and visitors as well as the development needs of the city. The Blueprint provides a transport foundation for the Northern Metropolis and promotes better integration with other cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. The Blueprint also recommends the implementation of smart and green mass transit systems in East Kowloon, Kai Tak and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area. It fully adopts the planning principles of 'infrastructure-led' and 'capacity-creating' for unleashing the development potential along the alignment of transport infrastructure."

     "The TAC will, as always, continue to earnestly offer views on various traffic and transport policies and measures to the Government for building and enhancing our transportation system as well as proactively taking forward smart mobility, with a view to promoting and consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international metropolis and a regional logistics hub."

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 12) that the Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool in Yuen Long District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming. 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
​     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr He Jing today (December 12) officiated at the celebration ceremony of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA).
 
     Over 100 distinguished guests attended the 50th anniversary celebration ceremony, including Dr Donald Liao and other former HA chairmen, members of the Executive Council and Legislative Council, HA members, dignitaries, professionals from various sectors, and representatives of HA staff associations.
 
     Delivering his speech, Mr Lee said, "Established in 1973 and having served Hong Kong citizens for over half a century, the role of the HA has evolved from providing mere shelters to creating comfortable homes, making significant contributions to the wellbeing of Hong Kong citizens."
 
     The Secretary for Housing and Chairman of the HA, Ms Winnie Ho, remarked, "In the next 50 years, we shall continue to forge ahead and join forces with our outstanding colleagues, partners, colleagues of various departments, our construction teams and contractors to create another glorious chapter of the HA."
 
     The celebration ceremony premiered highlights of an eight-episode documentary series which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the HA. The series includes interviews with key figures who have driven and witnessed the progress of public housing, current and former HA members, and Housing Department staff, etc. It reflects on the past milestones and offers insights into the HA's ongoing work and resolve to improving the living standard of citizens. The documentary series will be broadcast on Radio Television Hong Kong Channel 31, starting from December 17 (Sunday), with each episode running for half an hour.
 
     In addition, a commemorative publication entitled "From Shelter to Home: Striding across 50 Years of Public Housing" was unveiled during the ceremony. The publication features valuable memories and experiences shared by former HA chairmen, interesting stories from celebrities and HA staff who grew up in public housing estates, as well as precious historical photographs and some winning entries from the public housing photography contest. The public can access the online version of the publication on the HA's 50th anniversary website.
 
     The unveiling of the commemorative publication was accompanied by the premiere of "Beautiful Home," a new song produced by, and at the initiative of, the Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service and HA member, Ms Melissa Kaye Pang, in collaboration with a singer-songwriter. The song aims to bring positive energy to the public and celebrate the special occasion of the HA's 50th anniversary.
 
     The 50th anniversary ceremony took place at Domain, the HA's flagship shopping mall. Concurrently, the award presentation of the public housing photography contest and an exhibition showcasing the winning entries were held. The exhibition will run until January 19, 2024. The public are welcome to visit Domain and tour the exhibition free of charge. The exhibition will later appear at other housing estate shopping centres.
 
     Various activities and events have been held as part of the 50th anniversary celebration that cater for people of different ages and interests. These include a logo design competition; presenting New Year's couplets to residents; a Blueprint x Footprint Treasure Hunt self-guided tour of housing estates; a public housing photography contest; a 3×3 basketball challenge; distributing lucky bags to elderly residents during the Mid-Autumn Festival; a forum titled "Evolution of Public Housing in Hong Kong – Dialogue with the New Generation", and roving exhibitions of winning entries of the photography contest. The public can visit the HA's 50th anniversary website to browse the related information.

            

　　​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the Secretary of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee and Secretary of the Hengqin Working Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Chen Yong, today (December 12) to exchange views on further deepening Hong Kong's co-operation with Zhuhai and promoting the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip.
　　 
　　Mr Lee welcomed Mr Chen's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Zhuhai have been working together to promote the development of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB). The implementation of Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles on July 1 this year is an important measure that boosts the interconnectivity and economic integration within the GBA, and brings about more impetus for the development of the western parts of the Pearl River Delta region. Hong Kong will continue to work closely with Zhuhai to jointly seize the opportunities brought by the HZMB.
　　 
　　Noting that the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan for the GBA have indicated clear support for consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub, Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been continuously working with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). He said he is grateful that after joint discussions between the AAHK and the Zhuhai Municipal Government, the "Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong" direct passenger service has officially launched today. Mr Lee said he hopes that the service can effectively integrate the aviation networks of the two airports in Hong Kong and Zhuhai, serving as another evidence of promoting complementary advantages and mutually beneficial co-operation in both cities.
　　 
　　He also thanked the Zhuhai Municipal Government for its support for the HKSAR Government's Labour Importation Scheme for Transport Sector launched in July this year. The support includes co-operation in accommodation and transportation to facilitate the same-day return for workers living in Zhuhai to travel to HKIA via the HZMB, enabling the smooth implementation of the scheme.
　　 
　　Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Zhuhai have always been close partners in such aspects as economy and trade, investment, transportation and aviation. The HKSAR Government will continue to leverage the unique advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under "one country, two systems" to strengthen co-operation with Zhuhai and the entire GBA, with a view to creating strong impetus for growth and jointly making greater contributions to the country's development.