Hong Kong and Dongguan Strengthen Transport and Logistics Cooperation for Greater Bay Area Development

STL meets Mayor of Dongguan Municipal Government

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, met the Mayor of the Dongguan Municipal Government, Mr Lyu Chengxi, today (August 27) to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Dongguan in transport and logistics and other areas. Also attending the meeting were the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Kevin Choi, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Mrs Vivian Cheung.

Ms Chan said that with close geographical and cultural ties, Hong Kong and Dongguan have been working together seamlessly in transport and logistics. The AAHK and Dongguan have been jointly promoting the innovative development of sea-air intermodal cargo transshipments between the two places, with the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Dongguan Logistics Park being one of the key initiatives to leverage the complementary advantages of the cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The first-phase construction of the logistics park permanent facility is expected to be completed this year, with the entire Phase 1 development targeted for full operation by 2027. The AAHK will commence the preliminary study of the Phase 2 development shortly, enabling HKIA to provide solid support for import and export cargo demand as well as the development of cross-border e-commerce in the GBA and across the country.

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She added that Hong Kong serves as the GBA's gateway for the import and export of goods. The Transport and Logistics Bureau attaches great importance to co-operation with the GBA and promotes the logistics development strategy of "strengthening collaboration with the GBA and grasping new development opportunities" on various fronts. By deepening synergistic logistics development with the GBA and advancing intermodal transport, as well as exploring the feasibility of extending the arrangements under the Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme, Hong Kong is proactively integrating into the national development and facilitating the interconnection of cargo flows in the GBA. The Port Community System, to be completed by the end of this year, will connect with local, Mainland and overseas ports and global shipping business data platforms. The system provides round-the-clock, real-time cargo tracking, integrating sea, land, and air transport data, and offering value-added electronic services such as the "One-Data-Multiple-Declarations" function, thereby enhancing collaboration among ports on the Mainland and overseas.

Ms Chan said, "Dongguan is a world-renowned manufacturing base, while Hong Kong is an international aviation centre and logistics hub. The co-operation between the two cities is the best example of fostering a strong alliance. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its advantage of having extensive connections to both the Mainland and the world, and its role as a 'super connector', establishing more seamless logistics channels while strengthening the development of the sea-air transshipment and 'water-to-water transshipment' businessbetween the GBA and the world through Hong Kong's transport and logistics network."

STL meets Mayor of Dongguan Municipal Government Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL meets Mayor of Dongguan Municipal Government Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong International Airport respectively yesterday (May 21) and today (May 22), and seized a total of about 21.8 kilograms of assorted drugs with a total estimated market value of about $7.95 million. Two men and one woman, aged between 38 and 49, were arrested.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman in Tseung Kwan O during an anti-narcotics operation yesterday afternoon. About 3.8kg of suspected drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine, etomidate capsules, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia were found in their residence in the same district. They were then arrested.

In the second case, a 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase and 33 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 23), while an investigation is ongoing for the second case.

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 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.

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.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, 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 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 $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases