John Lee Attends Global Free Trade Forum in Hainan, Promotes Hong Kong's Trade and Digital Development

CE arrives in Hainan to attend Boao Forum annual conference (with photos/video)

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, arrived in Hainan today (March 25) to attend the Global Free Trade Port Development Forum at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025.

Addressing the forum, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping, and trade centre, enjoys a strategic location and world-class connectivity, championing free and multilateral trade. Under the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong is the only world city that combines the China advantage with the global advantage. It boasts a long tradition of the rule of law and has an established common law regime that aligns with major global financial hubs.

Mr Lee noted that as a participant in the Global Free Trade Zone (Port) Partnership Initiative, Hong Kong will continue to collaborate with Hainan in promoting the vast opportunities that free trade and market liberalisation could bring to the world.

In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner with leaders of Hainan Province to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong's co-operation with Hainan.

Additionally, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended the "Enhance Digital Capacity Building & Bridging Digital Divide" forum this afternoon. He outlined Hong Kong's move to accelerate digital economy development through strengthening digital infrastructure and fostering digital transformation. The Government is pressing ahead with the Digital Corporate Identity Platform project at full speed. By adhering to the principle of "promoting technology with talent, leading industries with technology, and attracting talent with industries", the Government will provide more quality jobs and development opportunities for innovation and technology (I&T) and digital talent in Hong Kong and for those coming to Hong Kong, thereby pooling I&T talent from around the globe.

Mr Lee will meet with leaders of Hainan Province and attend the signing ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the People's Government of Hainan Province tomorrow (March 26).

CE arrives in Hainan to attend Boao Forum annual conference (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE arrives in Hainan to attend Boao Forum annual conference (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE arrives in Hainan to attend Boao Forum annual conference (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Four incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products

Two men and two women were each sentenced to four to six months' imprisonment and fined $500 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (April 28) and today (April 29) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers and two incoming female passengers, aged between 28 and 37, at Hong Kong International Airport on February 28 and March 3. About 138 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 7 400 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $588,000 and a duty potential of about $456,000 in total, were seized from their personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.

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

Under the DCO, tobacco products 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 $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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).

Four incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Four incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Four incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Four incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases