Hong Kong to Host 2026 ANOC General Assembly, Showcasing International Confidence in the City’s Sports Capabilities.

HKSARG supports SF&OC hosting 2026 Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Hong Kong

The 2024 General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) announced yesterday (October 31, Cascais time) the successful bid of Hong Kong, China to host the 2026 ANOC General Assembly in Hong Kong. The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, actively participated in the bidding process and illustrated to ANOC that Hong Kong is an ideal place for hosting this important international sports meeting. He expressed excitement about Hong Kong's successful bid and thanked ANOC for its trust in Hong Kong.

ANOC comprises 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and is responsible for protecting and advancing the interests of the world's NOCs and supporting their mission of promoting Olympic Values worldwide. The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of ANOC and a significant international sports event.

Mr Yeung said, "Hong Kong's successful bid to host the 2026 ANOC General Assembly shows international confidence in Hong Kong's ability to host major sports events. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will fully support and guide the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China in hosting this important international meeting, co-ordinating close co-operation between relevant government departments and various sectors including tourism and business, with a view to demonstrating the synergy between sports, convention and exhibition as well as tourism, giving full play to Hong Kong's strengths in connecting with the world and telling good stories of Hong Kong."

During his visit to Portugal, Mr Yeung met with the Secretary of State for Sport of the Government of Portugal, Mr Pedro Dias, on the morning of October 30 (Cascais time) to exchange views on the work and vision of the promotion of sports development in Hong Kong and Portugal. Mr Yeung then visited the Cidade do Futebol (Football City) of the Portuguese Football Federation in Lisbon in the afternoon and met with the Federation's President, Mr Fernando Gomes, to explore co-operation opportunities between the two places in promoting football development. Mr Yeung also visited various facilities in the Football City, including training and competition venues, as well as ancillary facilities for sports medicine and science.

Under the arrangements of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Portugal, Mr Yeung visited the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda yesterday morning and met with the curator to exchange views on ways to promote culture exchanges through museums.

Mr Yeung departed Portugal for Hong Kong today (November 1, Cascais time).

HKSARG supports SF&OC hosting 2026 Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSARG supports SF&OC hosting 2026 Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSARG supports SF&OC hosting 2026 Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSARG supports SF&OC hosting 2026 Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSARG supports SF&OC hosting 2026 Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong International Airport respectively yesterday (May 21) and today (May 22), and seized a total of about 21.8 kilograms of assorted drugs with a total estimated market value of about $7.95 million. Two men and one woman, aged between 38 and 49, were arrested.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman in Tseung Kwan O during an anti-narcotics operation yesterday afternoon. About 3.8kg of suspected drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine, etomidate capsules, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia were found in their residence in the same district. They were then arrested.

In the second case, a 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase and 33 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 23), while an investigation is ongoing for the second case.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases