Hong Kong Customs Leads Delegation to Guangzhou for Intellectual Property Rights Protection Exchange Tour

Hong Kong Customs organises intellectual property rights protection exchange tour to Guangzhou

Hong Kong Customs today (October 17) organised an exchange tour about intellectual property rights (IPR) protection to Guangzhou, leading 26 members from the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Alliance (IPRPA) to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) for the first time. The delegation visited cultural landmarks in Guangzhou and met with an intellectual property enforcement agency to deepen their understanding of the country's efforts in protecting IPR and to foster closer collaboration between the industry and the enforcement agency, further promoting IPR protection in the GBA.

The delegation first visited the country's largest cultural centre - the new Guangzhou Cultural Centre - to experience the richness of traditional Chinese culture firsthand and to learn about the efforts in protecting traditional culture and related IPR amid urban modernisation in Guangzhou.

Later, the delegation met with the Party Secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Administration for Market Regulation (GMA), Mr Zhao Junming, gaining insights into intellectual property regulatory frameworks and enforcement strategies from the authority. Both parties exchanged views on further strengthening the partnership between the industry and enforcement agencies to increase effectiveness in combating infringement activities, laying a solid foundation for mutual co-operation.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the 138th China Import and Export Fair to explore the latest practices in IPR protection in international trade. The GMA also arranged a guided tour for the delegation to introduce their on-site enforcement measures against infringing products, demonstrating the country's efforts and achievements in maintaining market order for legitimate trade.

Formed by Hong Kong Customs and the intellectual property industry since 2004, the IPRPA is committed to establishing an effective communication platform and forming a strategic partnership to fight against infringing activities, hence protecting the interests of copyright and trademark owners. It comprises 65 members, including copyright and trademark owners, IPR protection organisations, and legal professionals.

Hong Kong Customs organises intellectual property rights protection exchange tour to Guangzhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organises intellectual property rights protection exchange tour to Guangzhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organises intellectual property rights protection exchange tour to Guangzhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs organises intellectual property rights protection exchange tour to Guangzhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

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.

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.

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 $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases