Remarks by Acting CE at media session before ExCo (with video)
Following are the remarks by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (February 11):
Reporter: Good morning, Mr Chan. Some English questions. First about HKMAO Director Xia Baolong's meeting with Hong Kong officials. How did the Government address Mr Xia on matters such as a budget deficit that Hong Kong is facing, and secondly, has the SAR Government formally filed a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding US tariffs on imports, and what further actions will the Government consider to take in response to the Trump administration's move? Thank you.
Acting Chief Executive: Thank you. Director Xia visited Hong Kong last Sunday, and he visited Hetao. I, together with other Principal Officials, reported to him the present situation of Hetao and also the future development of the Hetao area. Later on, in the afternoon, the Financial Secretary, together with some Principal Officials, attended a discussion session in Guangdong to report to Director Xia about the economic situation of Hong Kong. Director Xia is very concerned about Hong Kong. He highly recognised the work of the Hong Kong SAR Government under the leadership of the Chief Executive, and he also directed that we should try our very best to integrate into the Mainland's national policies, especially the Greater Bay Area initiative. I think this is very important to Hong Kong. Of course, I think this is a very good occasion for us to communicate with Director Xia, so that we have a clear understanding of how the Central Government is thinking, especially how we should make good co-operation with our Guangdong counterparts.
Regarding the US tariffs on Hong Kong, I think this is absolutely inconsistent with the WTO rules, of course, and also they have totally disregarded that Hong Kong is a separate customs territory. We will file a complaint with the WTO regarding this unreasonable arrangement.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $2.8 million
Hong Kong Customson March 11 and yesterday (March 17) seized a total of about 6 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 8 grams of suspected methamphetamine, with an estimated market value of over $2.8 million, at Hong Kong International Airport and in Kwai Chung.
Through risk assessment, Customs on March 11 inspected two air parcels, declared as bottle openers and arriving in Hong Kong from Italy. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that the batch of suspected ketamine was concealed inside 24 packaging boxes of bottle openers.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday in Kwai Chung and arrested a male consignee, aged 31, who was suspected to be connected with the case. Later, Customs further seized about 34g of suspected ketamine and about 8g of suspected methamphetamine from his vehicle and in his possession respectively.
The arrested person has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of dangerous drug. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 19).
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.
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.
Customs reminds people to pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught.
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 seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $2.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $2.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $2.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
