Remarks by newly appointed STL at media session
Following are the remarks by the newly appointed Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, at a media session today (December 5):
Reporter: What are your expectations and priorities of your new role? What do you want to achieve in the coming two and a half years? Also, the CE mentioned that he is confident in your leadership and articulation skills and also proactiveness. How do you plan to use such qualities to serve the general public? Thank you.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics: Thank you for your questions. I have been the Permanent Secretary in the Transport and Logistics Bureau. I have good knowledge of the policy areas under my portfolio. I know my colleagues well. I am action-oriented and have a proactive working style. I am confident that I will bring impetus to the Bureau in taking forward the various policy initiatives as set out in "The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address". In particular, our focus will be to further develop Hong Kong as an international shipping centre and an international aviation hub. Apart from that, the transport and railway development is very pivotal to the economic development of Hong Kong. As I've just mentioned, we have promulgated a transport blueprint (Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint), which lists out a number of railways and road projects. In the coming years, I will be leading my Bureau in taking forward steadfastly in order to make sure that these projects are implemented and constructed on time within budget in order to better serve the population intake in various areas. As regards aviation and the shipping centres, Hong Kong has been a very international city. We have extensive connections with the various parts of the world. It is important that we leverage on our unique advantage of being part of the Mainland and our advantage under the "one country, two systems" principle in order to connect ourselves with the Mainland markets and the global markets. We should better serve our motherland as a "super-connector" in order to enable the various industries and enterprises to use Hong Kong as a platform in order to better connect with the world. With the development and implementation of the Three-Runway System, my Bureau will take a more proactive and more strategic framework and approach in extending and negotiating discussions with our aviation partners in order to unleash our potential in the Hong Kong International Airport in order to build our connections to better connect to the Mainland cities as well as the global markets. Lastly, as regards the shipping centre, no doubt that we are facing a lot of serious challenges but this is a good opportunity for us to work in partnership with our stakeholders to build Hong Kong's brand and to rebuildour competitiveness. The recent promulgation of our Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering lists out a number of measures which I am confident that with the industries' support and participation, we will increase and enhance our competitiveness and be more proactive in attracting more ocean-going vessels to come to Hong Kong to add their green fuel as well as to enable them to come to Hong Kong to do business. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 21) detected three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected etomidate (the main ingredient of "space oil drug"), a kind of Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, and suspected dangerous drugs by outgoing passengers at the Lo Wu Control Point, the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) and the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. A total of four suspected "space oil drug" capsules, one vape stick containing suspected "space oil drug", 1.4 grams of suspected ketamine and 12.63 grams of suspected cocaine were seized.
The first case involved a local male passenger, aged 40, who went to the Mainland via the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday. During customs clearance, two suspected "space oil drug" capsules were found in his briefcase and 1.4g of suspected ketamine was found inside the underpants the man was wearing. He was subsequently arrested.
The second case involved a 23-year-old Mainland female passenger. The woman departed for the Mainland via the West Kowloon Station of the XRL yesterday. During customs clearance, one vape stick containing suspected "space oil drug" was found. She was then arrested.
The third case involved a local female passenger, aged 31, who went to the Mainland via the Lok Ma Chau Control Point yesterday. During customs clearance, two suspected "space oil drug" capsules and 12.63g of suspected cocaine were found in her handbag and underwear. She was then arrested.
The man in the first case has been released on bail pending further investigation. The arrested woman of the second case has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison and the case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 23). The arrested woman of the third case has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison and one count of trafficking in a dangerous drugs and the case will be brought up at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, any person who possesses any dangerous drug commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for seven years. Any person who traffics any dangerous drug commits an offence and 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 report 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 three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three cases involving possession and trafficking of suspected "space oil drug" and other dangerous drugs by passengers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
