Government Appoints New Members to Women's Commission, Enhancing Diversity and Expertise

Appointments to Women's Commission

The Government announced today (January 10) the appointment of four new members and the reappointment of nine incumbent members to the Women's Commission (WoC). Their two-year term will take effect from January 15, 2025.

The four new members are Ms Diana Cesar, Ms Maisy Kung Mei-chi, Miss Siu Hoi-yan and Ms Wong Hau-yan. The nine reappointed members are Mrs Jennifer Cheng Yu Ngar-wing, Ms Rita Gurung, Ms Jin Ling, Ms Lam Wai-ling, Ms Helen Lu Hai, Mrs Katherine Ngan Ng Yu-ying, Ms Cindy Pun Siu-fung, Professor Sham Mai-har and Ms Vivian Wong Man-lei.

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, welcomed the appointments and reappointments. She said, "The newly appointed and reappointed members come from diverse backgrounds and have rich experience in their professions and community services. I trust that they will give valuable advice to the Government on women's development in Hong Kong."

Miss Makalso thanked the three outgoing members, Ms Mary Huen Wai-yi, Ms Melissa Kaye Pang and Mr Walter Tsui Yu-hang, for their contributions to the WoC.

Since its establishment in 2001, the WoC has spared no effort in promoting the well-being and interests of women in Hong Kong and advising the Government on policies and initiatives on women's affairs.

The membership of the WoC for the new term is as follows:

Non-official members

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Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har (Chairperson)

Ms Diana Cesar

Mrs Jennifer Cheng Yu Ngar-wing

Ms Ching Ngon-lai

Ms Rita Gurung

Ms Jin Ling

Ms Maisy Kung Mei-chi

Ms Lam Wai-ling

Ms Helen Lu Hai

Professor Lui Yu-hon

Miss Juanita Mok Uen-ying

Ms Winnie Ng Wing-mui

Mrs Katherine Ngan Ng Yu-ying

Ms Cindy Pun Siu-fung

Professor Sham Mai-har

Miss Siu Hoi-yan

Dr So Wing-yee

Mr Adrian Tam Kin

Ms Vivian Tsui Sau-yin

Ms Wong Hau-yan

Ms Vivian Wong Man-lei

Dr Kitty Wu Kit-ying

Ex-officio members

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Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs or representative (Vice-Chairperson)

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs or representative

Director of Social Welfare or representative

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (January 13) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming male passenger, aged 29, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (January 12), and seized 57 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of $258,300 and a duty potential of about $190,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, 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 illicit cigarette 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).