The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 20) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     The relevant areas are as follows:

UK
(1) South Holland District of Lincolnshire County

US
The State of South Dakota
(2) Charles Mix County
(3) Roberts County

The State of Iowa
(4) Kossuth County
(5) Taylor County

The State of Missouri
(6) Jasper County

The State of Minnesota
(7) Steele County

     â€‹A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 540 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 400 000 poultry eggs from the UK, and about 21 470 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 57.11 million poultry eggs from the US in the first nine months of this year.

     "The CFS has contacted the British and American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
 

     The opening ceremony of Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023 (HKMW 2023), a major annual event of the maritime and port industries in Hong Kong, was held today (November 20), bringing together maritime leaders home and abroad for a week of activities that reinforce Hong Kong's position as an international maritime centre. Showcasing the Hong Kong maritime industry as a strong cluster, this year's theme of "Recharging the Maritime Industry" reflects the resilience and vision that define the city's maritime sector.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said in his speech at the opening ceremony that the "one country, two systems" principle has bestowed upon Hong Kong its unique role as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder", entrusting Hong Kong with the steadfast support from the Central Government and unparalleled connectivity with the world. He said that 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.

     "Our professionals are here to contribute to adding important value to the prosperous development in Hong Kong, along the Belt and Road, and beyond." Mr Lee said. 

     Officiating at the opening ceremony which was followed by the Main Forum of the 3rd World Maritime Merchants Forum, an anchor event of HKMW 2023, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) and Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said, "We will continue to give full play to Hong Kong's distinctive advantage of being simultaneously connected to both the Mainland and the world. As the 'super-connector' and 'super value-adder' in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), we are working closely with our peers to promote the overall competitiveness of the region. Our collaboration with the China Merchants Group to organise the long-anticipated World Maritime Merchants Forum is a clear illustration of our strength, bringing the very platform for high-level meetings of brilliant minds from global shipping, political, and business spheres."

     A number of signature activities of HKMW 2023 are worth highlighting. The Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference comes with the theme "Future-proofing Supply Chains: Diversification‧Decarbonisation‧Digitalisation". The 3rd World Maritime Merchants Forum, themed as "Riding the Wave", will highlight the challenges and opportunities faced by the shipping industry amid major changes of the global economy and trade. M.V. Yu Kun, the nation's first developed ocean-going vessel dedicated for maritime training managed by Dalian Maritime University (DMU), has been visiting Hong Kong during HKMW 2023. Through visiting M.V. Yu Kun and face-to-face exchange with DMU delegation members, members of the public may gain a better understanding about seafarers' daily life on board, maritime education and ship technologies nowadays. 

     Close to 50 activities, organised by local, Mainland and international marine institutes in support of HKMW 2023, will also take place seven days in a row. The themes range from building up the maritime talent pool, education and career, GBA development, green shipping, maritime insurance, maritime law and arbitration, maritime technology, ports and logistics, ship finance, ship leasing under Hong Kong's preferential ship leasing tax regime, ship management, and shipping and maritime.

     HKMW organised by the HKMPB is in its seventh edition this year. Co-organisers of the event are the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, together with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong as partners. For more details of HKMW 2023, please visit www.hkmw.hk.  

     Following are the opening remarks by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board and Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at the Opening Ceremony of Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023 cum 3rd World Maritime Merchants Forum today (November 20):

Chief Executive (Chief Executive, Mr John Lee), Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), Director Zheng Yanxiong (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Vice Minister Fu Xuyin (Vice Minister of Transport), Chairman Mr Miao Jianmin (Chairman of the China Merchants Group), distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. I am delighted to join the seventh edition of the Hong Kong Maritime Week and the third World Maritime Merchants Forum today. Also, we are delighted to be working side by side with the China Merchants Group and other collaborators to commence not one, but two of the most signature and widely anticipated events in the maritime community and to bring together outstanding thinkers and doers worldwide.

     This year, we are also joining hands with 12 support organisations, including three new partners, who collectively represent some of the most prominent organisations at the forefront of the maritime industry. These developments reflect our overall drive to scale up the Hong Kong Maritime Week and enhance Hong Kong as the premier destination for international dialogue, exchange, and co-operation.    

     While the world of maritime has drifted dramatically over the past several years during the three-year-long pandemic, from changing global supply chains to shifting geopolitical landscapes, our industry has remained strong and steadfast in the headwinds. Tides of new changes also await ahead, from the push to adopt automation and digitalisation for greater efficiency to the search for new generation fuel for the green transition we need to achieve. Just as the old saying goes, "We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails."

     Here in Hong Kong, we are already taking on these new challenges. As announced in The Chief Executive's Policy Address last month, by the end of this year, working together with the industry, we will launch a new action plan to set out a comprehensive strategy for our maritime and port development. Take our smart initiatives as an example. Hong Kong has long been known as a "catch-up port" that helps vessels make up for delays in other ports. To further enhance port efficiency and reduce the time and cost of cargo handling, we are actively promoting the development of smart ports by setting up a digitalised port community system to facilitate the flow of data. 

     By the same token, we will continue to give full play to Hong Kong's distinctive advantage of being simultaneously connected to both the Mainland and the world. As the "super-connector" and "super value-adder" in the Greater Bay Area, we are working closely with our peers to promote the overall competitiveness of the region. Our collaboration with the China Merchants Group to organise the long-anticipated World Maritime Merchants Forum is a clear illustration of our strength, bringing the very platform for high-level meetings of brilliant minds from global shipping, political, and business spheres.  

     Without a doubt, the cornerstone of Hong Kong's success as an international maritime centre is our people. Indeed, we have spared no effort in nurturing the new generation of maritime talent. For example, in September this year, we launched the Maritime Services Traineeship Scheme – Legal to support young people aspiring to a career in maritime law. The Maritime Week also presents exceptional opportunities. Today and tomorrow, keep abreast with the industry's cutting-edge developments by hearing directly from pre-eminent experts at the World Maritime Merchants Forum and the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference. At the Captain's Table on Thursday, be inspired by how innovative ideas are translated into new business ventures. And for young friends considering a future in the industry, the Maritime Services Training Institute will be hosting career development sessions alongside an open day. I strongly encourage everyone to get involved in the Hong Kong Maritime Week and tap into the new opportunities on offer in our maritime sector. 

     On behalf of the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your support of the Hong Kong Maritime Week 2023. I eagerly look forward to the fruitful and thought-provoking conversations that will unfold throughout the week. Thank you.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (November 22) at 11am, and Thursday (November 23) and Friday (November 24) at 9am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will speak on "Motion of Thanks", to be moved by Ms Starry Lee, which states: "That this Council thanks the Chief Executive for his address."
 
     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, all of which require written replies.
 
     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

     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).