Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong films at Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) supported the 58th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia held from October 9 to 19 (Sitges time).
The festival featured six Hong Kong films namely "She Has No Name", "Cesium Fallout", "Another World", "Dangerous Encounter – 1st Kind", "Hard Boiled" and "Sons of the Neon Night".
To celebrate Hong Kong cinema, Brussels ETO hosted a reception on October 16. The event brought together around 100 guests from the film, cultural, media and business sectors. Among the attendees was renowned Hong Kong director Peter Chan, whose latest film "She Has No Name" was screened on the same day.
In his welcoming speech, Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO Mr Kasper Ng said that Hong Kong has one of the largest and most dynamic film industries in the world.
"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to supporting our film industry through the Film Development Fund and other initiatives. We also host the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) in March every year, which is Asia's largest film and entertainment content marketplace. FILMART this year showcased a wide variety of cross-media and cross-industry contents from over 760 exhibitors and attracted more than 7 600 industry practitioners from 42 countries and regions. These initiatives not only support cultural exchange but also amplify the global reach of Hong Kong cinema, opening new doors for collaboration and storytelling," added Mr Ng.
Mr Ng also encouraged the audience to visit Hong Kong and experience its arts and cultural scene as well as the blend of history, creativity and modernity offered by the city.
Founded in 1968, the Sitges - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia is the world's leading fantasy film festival. It screens films related to the fantastic genre, including action and adventure movies and black comedies, with a special emphasis on thrillers.
Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong films at Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong films at Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong films at Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia 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
