The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department yesterday (November 19) seized about 6 400 suspected smuggled hairy crabs, weighing about 920 kilograms, with an estimated market value of about $390,000 at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.

     Based on risk assessment, Customs intercepted an incoming goods vehicle declared as carrying a batch of cross-boundary merchandise including food items at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. Upon inspection, the batch of suspected smuggled hairy crabs was found inside the cargo compartment of the vehicle. The seized hairy crabs did not come with health certificates issued by the relevant authorities of the exporting economies, and failed to comply with the requirements of the Shell Fish (Hairy Crab) Permit. A male driver suspected to be connected with the case and the batch of suspected smuggled hairy crabs were handed over to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for follow-up investigation.

     Customs reminds members of the public that 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.

     According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations, 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 FEHD. Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     Customs also reminds the trade not to import or put on sale hairy crabs with an unknown origin, and consumers should make purchases at reputable shops with the Shell Fish (Hairy Crab) Permit or relevant written permission granted by the FEHD.

     According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction. Moreover, under the Food Safety Ordinance, any person who, without reasonable excuse, does not register but carries on a food importation or distribution business commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     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).

  

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023 cum 3rd World Maritime Merchants Forum today (November 20):
 
Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), Honourable Director Zheng Yanxiong (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Honourable Vice Minister Fu Xuyin (Vice Minister of Transport), Chairman Miao Jianmin (Chairman of the China Merchants Group), distinguished guests, friends of the global maritime community, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. Welcome to the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023. This ceremony kicks off the third World Maritime Merchants Forum. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the 900 maritime experts and professionals joining us from around the world. Your presence here is a testament to your trust and confidence in Hong Kong as an international maritime centre.
 
     I find the theme of this year's Hong Kong Maritime Week, "Recharging the Maritime Industry", most timely. Hong Kong – and the world – have emerged from the pandemic. But the virus did leave its mark.
    
     From the disruptions of global supply chains, to the change in the spending pattern of customers, the world of maritime is in need of a solution to give the industry a boost. A recharge.
 
     Hong Kong is glad and eager to contribute. The Hong Kong Maritime Week this year showcases around 50 activities across seven days, ranging from conferences and seminars, to tours and competitions. It will be an exciting week filled with valuable experiences and networking opportunities.
 
     This year, the Transport and Logistics Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government is joining hands with the China Merchants Group, in launching the Maritime Week together with the World Maritime Merchants Forum, for the first time.
 
     If a recharge is what the maritime industry needs, then "Riding the Wave", which is the theme of the World Maritime Merchants Forum this year, aptly represents the resilience and adaptability that define our shipping industry.
 
     At this Forum, you will engage in productive discussions, and strategise on ways to navigate the challenges ahead amid the rapidly evolving global landscape.
 
     The convergence of these two influential maritime events signifies Hong Kong's unique role, as a "super-connector", as well as a "super value-adder" in the global and regional maritime industry, where we can capitalise on new opportunities together to ensure a prosperous future for the shipping industry.
 
     That unique role is bestowed upon Hong Kong by the "one country, two systems" principle. It entrusts us the steadfast support from the Central Government, and unparalleled connectivity with the world.
 
     The National 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong's role in the global maritime sector, with a focus on the development of high value-added maritime services.
 
     In his keynote address for the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation a month ago, President Xi Jinping announced eight major actions China will take to support the joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road co-operation. The first of the eight steps is the building of a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network. Being a long-established maritime and aviation hub with extensive road and rail networks, Hong Kong is well-positioned to actively contribute to building such a network. 
 
     Hong Kong is a free port characterised by strong international connectivity, speedy customs clearance and high workflow efficiency. Known for its robustness and efficiency, our port ranks among the top ten busiest container ports globally, and serves as a key transshipment hub in the region.
 
     With over 240 weekly international container vessel sailings, we provide extensive connections to over 460 destinations worldwide.
 
     The maritime and port industry is important to Hong Kong's economy. It directly contributes 4.1 per cent, or over 110 billion Hong Kong Dollars, to our GDP (Gross Domestic Product). It also contributes to 2.1 per cent of total employment, creating over 78 000 jobs. Over 90 per cent of total freight volume entering or leaving Hong Kong relies on water transport.
 
     Thanks to our long-standing maritime heritage, Hong Kong boasts a quality ship registry, that ranks fourth globally in terms of gross tonnage, and a vibrant maritime cluster.
 
     We are home to over 1 100 port and maritime companies offering a wide range of comprehensive maritime services.
 
     Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China. We have a long and established tradition of the rule of law. Coupled with our strategic geographical location, world-class infrastructure and business-friendly environment, Hong Kong provides a diverse ecosystem for a thriving maritime industry.
 
     Thanks to our prowess in legal and dispute resolution services, Hong Kong has become one of the designated arbitration venues in the Baltic and International Maritime Council's global standard maritime contracts.
 
     Legal services are of course just one of the many streams of world-class professional services that Hong Kong has to offer. Accountants, architects, engineers, investment advisors, IT specialists, lawyers, supply chain managers, surveyors, the list just goes on and on. You name it, we've got it!
 
     Our professionals are here to contribute to adding important value to the prosperous development in Hong Kong, along the Belt and Road, and beyond.
 
     Indeed, the Hong Kong SAR Government has implemented a host of measures to drive maritime development. They range from tax concessions targeting maritime business services, to collaborations with international maritime organisations and port cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or the GBA.
 
     The GBA comprises Hong Kong, Macao and nine cities of Guangdong Province, sharing a long shoreline in the southern part of China. It has a population of 86 million and a combined GDP equivalent to that of the world's tenth largest economy.
 
     As I announced in my second Policy Address last month, we will continue to develop the city as a leading international maritime centre.
    
     In the coming weeks, the Transport and Logistics Bureau will publish a detailed action plan on maritime and port development strategy. The plan will enhance high-end maritime services, facilitate transformation towards zero emission, promote smart and digital initiatives in the industry, and promote global exchanges.  
 
     We are actively working towards organising the Greater Bay International Maritime Conference. It will further amplify the collective capabilities of our "9+2" cities.
 
     To strengthen multidimensional connectivity, we will enhance logistics co-operation with other GBA cities and strengthen ties with cities on the west bank of the Pearl River, leveraging key infrastructure such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to facilitate efficient cargo transshipment via Hong Kong.
 
     Hong Kong is fully dedicated to leading the way in driving the green transformation of the maritime industry.
 
     We will actively advocate the use and supply of new energy in sea, land, and air transport. In this regard, we will soon kick start a feasibility study of providing green methanol bunkering, for both local and ocean-going vessels, so as to develop Hong Kong into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.
 
     In the coming year, we will set out an action plan for the construction of bunkering facilities and development of supply chains.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, I encourage all of you to actively exchange views with your counterparts here, and forge partnerships that will shape the future of our maritime industry.
 
     On that note, I wish you all a fruitful and successful maritime week and a productive World Maritime Merchants Forum. Together, let us recharge the maritime industry and ride the wave to navigate towards a brighter future. Thank you.

  

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort "A Welcome Ceremony for World of Frozen" today (November 20):
 
Josh (Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products of the Walt Disney Company, Mr Josh D'Amaro), Jill (President and Managing Director of the Disney Parks International of the Walt Disney Company, Ms Jill Estorino), Michael (President and Managing Director of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Mr Michael Moriarty), and Disney fans!
 
     Good morning. Like you, I am delighted to be here and invited by Elsa and Anna to celebrate with you all the opening of the World of Frozen, the first-ever and largest Frozen-themed land in the world. Thank you Olaf for bringing me here all the way from Central.
 
     I can still vividly remember how this Frozen-themed zone started as a sketch some seven years ago. The fantasy is now a reality, almost beyond our imagination back in 2016. But seeing is believing, and I am thrilled to be here to see how the Kingdom of Arendelle from the Frozen movie franchise has come to real life. Visitors to Hong Kong Disneyland can now physically immerse themselves in iconic scenes once only featured in animation. 
 
     And to make it even more unique, the World of Frozen integrates the picturesque natural landscape of our Lantau Island as the backdrop, and deploys the latest technology to deliver a truly innovative guest experience. Please join me in a round of applause for the talented Disney team who have made this dream come true. 
 
     I would call the Disney team "imagineers" – bringing dreams to life, fantasy to reality, and sketches to tangible deliverables. You have certainly reminded us that success and greatness are always a formula of imagination and innovation, plus meticulous planning, dedicated efforts and resilience in overcoming challenges all the way. 
 
     We in Hong Kong all know the essence of hard work. But perhaps we could also be more bold, to imagine, to embrace new ideas, create new models and break new grounds. As the late American astronomer Carl Sagan said, "Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it, we go nowhere."
 
     Last year, when I officiated at the "Momentous" Premiere in front of the Castle in the pouring rain, I mentioned that Hong Kong Disneyland is a critical element in our flagship tourism offerings. And on this bright "Summer Snow Day". I am confident that the opening of the World of Frozen is a "defining moment" to elevate Hong Kong Disneyland to a whole new level, and to attract more tourists to embark on journeys to Hong Kong. Indeed, a side trip to Arendelle Harbour is a must for Disney fans. It may well join our famous Victoria Harbour on the long and exciting "bucket list" of must do when you come to Hong Kong.
 
     I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Walt Disney Company for its staunch partnership in bringing excitement and happiness to so many local residents and tourists . 
 
     Thank you once again to Elsa and Anna, as well as all the "Arendellians", for your hospitality. I wish you all an enjoyable journey in the World of Frozen. Thank you.

          

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
  
     The Faster Payment System (FPS) service will not be available from 1am to 11am on November 26, 2023 (Sunday) due to a planned system enhancement, carried out by the Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited, the operator of the FPS. 
      
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has requested banks and stored value facility (SVF) operators to provide advance and timely notifications to their customers. Members of the public may contact individual banks or SVF operators for more details regarding the availability of the related FPS services that may be affected by the system enhancement. In case of need, members of the public may make advance arrangements for their payment activities. 

     A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) today (November 20) said that the EDB had received the report of the 2023 Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) submitted by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA), the first report since the three-year suspension of the assessment. The results show a drop in the attainment rates of the Primary Three, Primary Six and Secondary Three students participating in the assessment of the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics. It is similar to the situation of the drop in students' performance during the epidemic as reflected in large-scale international assessments, but most of the drop is within acceptable ranges.

     The spokesman said, "Along with the resumption of whole-day face-to-face classes, the EDB resumed the TSA this year. The school sector generally found that the suspension of face-to-face classes during the epidemic had caused certain impacts on both the learning and development of students. Moreover, it took time for various parties to adapt to the first assessment since the three-year suspension. Therefore, it is not appropriate to draw any conclusions with reference to the assessment results this year. Regarding the more significant drop in the Primary Six attainment rates, the HKEAA will further study the reasons.

     "The TSA is an assessment administered at the territory-wide level. It aims to provide objective data to help schools and the Government gauge students' attainment of basic competencies in Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics at the end of different key learning stages, so as to provide feedback for the planning of school-based learning and teaching, and for reviewing education policies with the information obtained. We appeal to schools and parents not to focus only on the assessment results. More importantly, they should also understand the various reasons behind the drop in the overall attainment rates and provide students with room to readjust to school life and rhythm.

     "During the three-year epidemic, schools had been flexible in achieving 'suspending classes without suspending learning'. At the same time, they had been accumulating experiences and continuously exploring effective measures to cater for the different needs of students. It is believed that schools will make good use of the information of the TSA reports, together with related internal assessment results, to understand students' performance and needs in different learning strands in order to enhance learning and teaching effectiveness."

     The spokesman said that the EDB would continue to render full support to schools in implementing the curriculum, organising teacher training courses, developing diversified learning and teaching resources, which include the Student Assessment Repository and the Web-based Learning and Teaching Support, organising various activities, and providing targeted school-based support according to the needs of schools with a view to strengthening teachers' professional capacity and enhancing students' learning interests and abilities.

     The HKEAA will later provide primary and secondary schools with school-level data at Primary Three (only for schools with the participation of all their Primary Three students), Primary Six and Secondary Three levels directly for use as feedback on learning and teaching. The EDB will not obtain school reports of individual schools from the HKEAA. With regard to the 2023 TSA report, the EDB will organise topical seminars on "Promoting Assessment Literacy" in December to introduce how to make effective use of assessment data and information to enhance learning and teaching. Teachers can enrol via the EDB training calendar.

     Student performance figures of the TSA from 2004 to 2023 are shown in the Annex. Details of the TSA are available on the HKEAA website (www.bca.hkeaa.edu.hk).