The nation’s first domestically built Antarctic research icebreaker, Xuelong 2, has completed a five-day visit to Hong Kong and began its return journey to Shanghai this afternoon.
A farewell ceremony was held at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, where Under Secretary for Environment & Ecology Diane Wong and the committee that organised the visit led the farewells for Xuelong 2 and its crew, the 40th Chinese Antarctic scientific expedition team.
Enthusiastic send-off: Well-wishers wave national and regional flags to bid farewell to the Xuelong 2.
The chairman of the organising committee, Ma Fung-kwok, expressed his deep satisfaction with the visit. He emphasised that it had not only fostered a genuine interest among citizens in polar research but had also raised awareness about the pressing issue of climate change.
Looking ahead, the organising committee is already in discussions with relevant departments to explore opportunities for Hong Kong scholars and students to participate in future scientific expeditions, particularly in the field of polar research.
Waving goodbye: Under Secretary for Environment & Ecology Diane Wong (left) waves the 40th Chinese Antarctic scientific expedition team off.
During the visit of Xuelong 2 to Hong Kong, over 7,200 citizens were able to tour the ship. Moreover, the committee estimates that 100,000 people participated in public tours, free scientific exhibitions, exchange meetings, and other activities involving the polar research vessel.
Cracking down on counterfeit goods: hong kong customs joins forces with mainland and macao customs
Hong Kong Customs conducted a three-week joint enforcement operation with the Mainland and Macao Customs from April 9 to 30, during which inspection of goods across the three places and destined for North America, Europe and Asia as well as other countries and regions was stepped up, with a view to combating cross-boundary counterfeiting activities among the three places with goods destined for overseas countries. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs detected 19 cases and seized about 56 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of about $16.9 million.
Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigations, Hong Kong Customs in the operation detected 15 cases at various local express couriers and logistics companies. Meanwhile, Customs officers inspected on April 15 and 16 two containers arriving in Hong Kong from Nansha, Guangdong, and containing suspected counterfeit goods at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound, leading to the detection of two more cases.
Moreover, Customs detected two further cases by intercepting two incoming trucks on April 12 and 28 at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized batches of suspected counterfeit goods from the vehicles. Two male truck drivers, aged 49 and 55, were arrested. Investigations of the cases are ongoing. The two arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.
The suspected counterfeit goods seized by Hong Kong Customs in the operation included handbags, mobile phones and accessories, watches and footwear. The total estimated market value was about $16.9 million.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with the Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to vigorously combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied 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).
Hong Kong Customs teams up with Mainland and Macao Customs to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
