The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) today (December 11) held the Award Presentation Ceremony for the Sea Cargo Pre-shipment Declaration Scheme 2023 at the Customs Headquarters Building and presented award certificates to 47 sea cargo carriers in recognition of their active participation in the scheme and efforts to work with the C&ED to provide efficient and seamless cargo clearance services for the trade, contributing to the prosperity of maritime and port development.

     In her speech at the ceremony, the Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Boundary and Ports), Ms Ida Ng, said that Hong Kong is one of the most important hub ports in the world. The support of the Central Government, coupled with the proactive policies taken forward by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, further consolidates Hong Kong's status as an international maritime and logistics hub and helps Hong Kong to better integrate into the national development. The C&ED will continue to support the policies of the country and the HKSAR Government, and promote various trade facilitative measures, including the Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator Programme, the Single E-Lock Scheme and the Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme, with the aim of improving customs clearance efficiency and speeding up the flow of cargoes. 

     Ms Ng also expressed special thanks to the sea cargo carriers for their active participation in the Sea Cargo Pre-shipment Declaration Scheme, which enabled C&ED officers to conduct more precise risk assessment, and for their assistance to the department in detecting a number of record-breaking sea smuggling cases this year.  

     Since 2009, the C&ED has been committed to implementing different sea cargo information submission schemes, including the EMAN Statement 1 Submission Scheme and the Advance Cargo Information – River Trade Vessel Scheme. These schemes allow carriers and cargo agents to submit advance cargo information to the C&ED prior to vessels' arrival, enabling the department to conduct risk assessment more effectively and expediting the cargo clearance processes.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) Breaking for Gold World Series – Hong Kong 2023, which will be held on December 15 and 16.
      
     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (December 11) that like all other "M" Mark events, this event will add colour and vibrancy to Hong Kong and thereby bring in more visitors from abroad.
      
     "I am delighted that the DanceSport Association of Hong Kong, China has been sanctioned to host the WDSF Breaking for Gold World Series – Hong Kong 2023, which is a highest-level event. With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games less than a year away, this event also serves as the final qualification ranking competition for the Paris Olympics. It is expected that approximately 200 breakdancing elites from around 50 countries or regions will compete in Hong Kong. This event does not only showcase Hong Kong's capability to host world-class events, but also enhance Hong Kong's position as a centre for major international sports events," said Mr Ng.
              
     The "M" Mark System aims to encourage and help local national sports associations and private and non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.
      
     For details of "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital gave the following update today (December 11):

     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more male patient aged 55 in the surgical ward was identified as a carrier of Candida auris while not having signs of infection. He is in stable condition and is now being treated in isolation.

     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patient in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patient. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier cases, the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital gave the following update today (December 11):
 
     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more 41-year-old male patient in the orthopaedic ward was identified as a carrier of VRE while not having signs of infection. The patient is now being treated in isolation and is in stable condition.
 
     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 
     1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
     2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
     3. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned.
 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health for necessary follow-up.
 

     Police today (December 11) appealed to the public for information on a boy who went missing in Tseung Kwan O.

     Zhang Tsz-hon, aged 16, went missing after he left his residence on King Ling Road on December 9 morning. His family made a report to Police on the next day (December 10).

     He is about 1.68 metres tall, 40 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black trousers and white sport shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing boy or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0331 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.