Tag Archives: China

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, at a media session on offers of the 2024-25 civil service pay adjustment at the Central Government Offices this afternoon (June 4):
 
Reporter: So can you recap in English why the salary increase is just three per cent, which is lower than the pay trend survey, and why the increase rates are the same for every rank of civil servants?
 
Secretary for the Civil Service: The Executive Council has, in accordance with the mechanism governing the adjustment of civil service pay, considered six factors, namely the state of Hong Kong’s economy, changes in the cost of living, the net pay trend indicators, the Government’s fiscal position, the pay claims of the staff side, as well as the morale of the civil servants. We believe that this is a balanced decision taking into account all those six factors and the specific circumstances of this year. We note that the pay offers are some way behind the net pay trend indicators, but given all the six factors taking into consideration as a whole, we believe that this is an appropriate decision for this year.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     â€‹Correctional officers at Stanley Prison stopped a male remand person in custody attacking a staff member today (June 4).      At 2.05pm today, a 39-year-old male remand person in custody sudd… read more

     In light of a fire that broke out at Sui Lok House in Siu Sai Wan Estate, and the subsequent power breakdown, the Eastern District Office (EDO) this evening (June 4) has opened a temporary shelter at the Siu Sai Wan Commun… read more

     Hong Kong Customs on May 29 shut down two large-scale suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Kwai Chung and Yuen Long. A total of about 12.6 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $57 million and a duty potential of about $42 million were seized.

     Customs had previously identified a cigarette smuggling syndicate active in the New Territories for in-depth investigations. Afterwards, Customs officers took action on the afternoon of May 29, and raided an industrial building unit on Ta Chuen Ping Street, Kwai Chung. About 1.3 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized therein and a 37-year-old man who claimed to be a driver and was suspected to be connected with the case was arrested. Customs officers later escorted the man to the parking lot of the building and searched two light goods vehicles suspected to be involved in the case. About 1.1 million suspected illicit cigarettes were further seized inside the vehicles.

     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on the same night seized about 10.2 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside a metal hut in Tan Kwai Tsuen, Yuen Long, shutting down another suspected illicit cigarette storage centre.

     The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation. An investigation is ongoing and Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes.  

     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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 Assistant Commissioner (Excise and Strategic Support) of Customs and Excise, Mr Rudy Hui, yesterday and today (June 3 to 4) visited the General Administration of Customs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE Customs), and signed the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Action Plan with the Director of International Customs Relations of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security of the United Arab Emirates, Mr Suoud Salem AlAgroobi, in Dubai, signifying the commencement of negotiation of the AEO MRA and marking an important step towards implementing the MRA in the near future. Also, the Customs Co-operative Arrangement (CCA) was discussed by both sides during their meeting with an aim to strengthening co-operation and exploring more collaboration opportunities.

     During the visit, Mr Hui also toured the Zayed International Airport to understand the customs clearance on passengers of the UAE Customs.

     Currently, Hong Kong Customs has signed 31 CCAs with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, Macao Customs Service, and 29 overseas customs administrations. At the same time, the department has ratified AEO MRAs with 15 economies, namely Mainland China, India, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, Macao, China, and Bahrain, nine of which are Belt and Road economies.

     Hong Kong Customs has always been committed to maintaining a close co-operation with customs administrations around the world, and is dedicated to extending the CCA and AEO MRA networks to strengthen intelligence exchanges and information sharing, enhance customs clearance efficiency and establish a more seamless and convenient international link for various enterprises.