Hong Kong Housing Authority Concludes A-HUC Conference Focused on Innovative Public Housing Technologies and Community Well-being.

Hong Kong Housing Authority hosts 27th Conference of Housing and Urban Public Corporations in Asia

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

The 27th Conference of the Housing and Urban Public Corporations in Asia (A-HUC) organised by this year's host, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), concluded today (November 13).

Addressing the opening session, the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, said that the HA has been diligently utilising technology,including the latest version of Modular Integrated Construction, to prepare to achieve the goal of building 308 000 public housing units over the next 10 years. She emphasised that construction technology is a crucial component of the HA's new quality productive forces aimed at enhancing quantity, speed, efficiency and quality of public housing developments.

In terms of estate management, the HA is using technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and robotics to conduct people-oriented and smart management, enhancing residents' sense of well-being. The HA plans to set up a central property management platform next year, introducing digital technology into daily management to improve management efficiency and service quality.

The Permanent Secretary for Housing and Director of Housing, Miss Rosanna Law, said at the welcoming dinner reception that "Sustainable Public Housing - Innovative Technologies and People-oriented Design" was the main theme of this year's exchange, as this is an issue of common interest shared by the HA and the public housing organisations of Japan, Singapore and Korea. The delegates from the four organisations shared latest experiences across two sub-themes: "Successful Stories of Buildtech Application for Sustainability" and "A Step Forward from People-oriented Design to Well-being Community Building."

Participants from abroad also visited the long-span footbridge connecting Hoi Tat Estate and Hoi Ying Estate. In addition to presenting the innovative design, construction methods and challenges when building the footbridge, members of the HA also shared their experiences in integrating a comprehensive footbridge network and community facilities to create a connectivity hub for the well-being of the community.

Founded jointly in 1995 by the HA of Hong Kong, the Housing and Development Board of Singapore, the Korea Land and Housing Corporation and the Urban Renaissance Agency of Japan, the A-HUC aims to promote knowledge exchanges and experience sharing in the latest developments and technology applications in public housing development. The four organisations take turns to host the annual conference. Next year's conference will be held in Korea.

Hong Kong Housing Authority hosts 27th Conference of Housing and Urban Public Corporations in Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Housing Authority hosts 27th Conference of Housing and Urban Public Corporations in Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Housing Authority hosts 27th Conference of Housing and Urban Public Corporations in Asia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

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 to 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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

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.

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 $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases