Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Anti-drug Summit Marks Milestone in Regional Cooperation Against Drug Abuse

2025-09-05 22:32 Last Updated At：22:48

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Anti-drug Summit successfully concludes in Hong Kong

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Anti-drug Summit, jointly organised by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), was held in Hong Kong today (September 5). This marks the first anti-drug summit hosted by Hong Kong with Greater Bay Area as the focus.

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Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Anti-drug Summit successfully concludes in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Anti-drug Summit successfully concludes in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Summit brought together representatives from about 40 government agencies and community anti-drug organisations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to share insights on three major anti-drug topics. Representatives from the Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore also joined the Summit upon invitation and shared their anti-drug experiences with attendees. Around 300 participants from the GBA and overseas attended today's Summit.

Delivering his opening remarks, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said that the Summit today marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong's anti-drug history. It holds particular significance as it is the first anti-drug summit connecting Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao since the release of the Outline Development Plan for the GBA.

Delivering his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of ACAN, Dr Donald Li, said that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of ACAN. Looking back, while Hong Kong has made progress in anti-drug efforts, it must not become complacent. Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are inseparably linked, and they all bear the responsibility to safeguard their shared home, the GBA, from the harmful effects of drugs.

Executive Secretary-General of National Narcotics Control Commission & Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Public Security, Mr Wei Xiaojun; Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Narcotics Control Commission & Deputy Director-General of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, Mr Liang Ruiguo; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Leong Man-cheong, delivered their keynote speeches during the morning session of the Summit.

Mr Wei said that currently, the global drug trend has undergone complex and significant changes. As regards the GBA, it is where drug imports are destined and where drugs are transshipped. It is where transnational cross-boundary drug trafficking activities are plotted and where they are organised and carried out. Drug crimes have been escalating in different forms. The National Narcotics Control Commission attaches great importance to the situation of anti-drug work in Hong Kong and Macao. It will also fully support the deepening of anti-drug co-operation between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao.

Mr Liang said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao regions enjoy close geographical ties, share the same cultural roots and are interdependent. Building a drug-free GBA together is a shared responsibility and a mission that must be shouldered. He has made proposals in three aspects: firstly, to continuously deepen co-operation in law enforcement against drug crimes; secondly, to continuously enhance joint handling of drug problems; and thirdly, to continuously deepen anti-drug exchanges.

Mr Tang said that it has been 10 years since the GBA was formally incorporated into national policies. At this significant juncture, it is timely to review past anti-drug efforts and look ahead to the future. Over six decades of combating drugs, Hong Kong has progressively established a "comprehensive anti-drug protection net" comprising legislation and law enforcement, prevention and education, treatment and rehabilitation, and international co-operation. Looking forward, it must remain highly vigilant in the face of the complex and evolving drug situation and advance future anti-drug co-operation within the GBA.

Mr Leong said Macao, as the smallest city by geographical area in the GBA, has a relatively small drug consumption market. However, Macao maintains fully open customs policies and an external transportation network. Therefore, Macao has long prioritised preventing international drug trafficking syndicates from exploiting the region as a transit point for drugs. He is fully confident that, with the strong support of the Ministry of Public Security, anti-drug authorities across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will forge greater synergy to jointly build a safer, drug-free GBA.

The Summit featured three panel forums titled "Strategies for Anti-drug Communication in the New Era", "Collaborative Efforts to Combat Cross-boundary Crime", and "Youth Collaboration for a Drug-free Greater Bay Area". During "Youth Collaboration for a Drug-free Greater Bay Area", youth representatives from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao shared their experiences in anti-drug work and their perspectives on drug problems. The Summit ended after young people from the three regions declared, "Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao stand united - I lead the fight against drugs! Say no to drugs!" as a pledge to build a drug-free GBA together.

New Melioidosis Case in Hong Kong: Public Urged to Maintain Hygiene After Recent Storms

CHP announces one new melioidosis case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 16) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (January 9 to 15). The CHP appealed to members of the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent melioidosis. The CHP also specifically reminded high-risk groups, including the elderly and people with underlying diseases, to avoid contact with soil or muddy water after typhoons or storms with a view to lowering infection risk.

The case involves a 58-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Kwai Tsing District. He presented with a fever and vomiting since January 10, followed by confusion on the next day (January 11). He was then sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital and is currently in the intensive care unit in critical condition. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His clinical sample was confirmed to be positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.

The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Initial epidemiological investigations revealed that the case is sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.

As of yesterday (January 15), one melioidosis case has been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2025, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded.

Person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but the bacteria causing melioidosis can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong, and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year.

According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or rainstorms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or rainstorms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

With this in mind, where practicable, members of the public should stay indoors during typhoons and rainstorms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.

Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:

Avoid contact with contaminated soil;

Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;

Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;

Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover them with waterproof dressings;

Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;

Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and

Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.

The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions, in order to receive an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP atwww.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Anti-drug Summit Marks Milestone in Regional Cooperation Against Drug Abuse

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