Hong Kong Customs raids three suspected illicit cigarette sales outlets
Hong Kong Customs mounted an anti-illicit cigarette enforcement operation today (November 19) and raided three suspected illicit cigarette sales outlets, including two newsstands in Kwai Fong and Tsuen Wan, as well as one store in Tsuen Wan, seizing a total of about 3 800 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $17,000 and a duty potential of about $13,000. Three persons were arrested.
According to the amended Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), cigarettes sold at a price lower than the tobacco duty must be proven to be duty-paid, otherwise the cigarettes are presumed to be duty-not-paid. After the amended DCO took effect, Customs has also strengthened enforcement actions to combat illegal cigarette sales outlets, and has been closely monitoring the market situation and stepping up patrols in various districts.
Noting that there were still cigarette sales outlets selling cigarettes at a price lower than the tobacco duty, Customs officers took enforcement actions today and seized about 3 800 suspected illicit cigarettes in the abovementioned newsstands and store. Two women and one man, comprising two newsstand owners and one employee, aged between 52 and 65 were arrested.
Customs appeals to retailers not to sell cigarettes of unknown sources. They must stay vigilant against cigarettes with a wholesale price lower than the tobacco duty in order to avoid criminal liability.
Customs reminds retailers and members of the public that under the DCO, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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 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).
Hong Kong Customs raids three suspected illicit cigarette sales outlets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs raids three suspected illicit cigarette sales outlets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs raids three suspected illicit cigarette sales outlets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei
The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 1) continued its visit. Representatives from the eight University Grants Committee-funded universities also joined the delegation today. They visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, which are listed as part of the "one core and two wings" national development strategy, to learn about practical experience in large-scale new area planning and construction, with a view to providing solid reference for the planning and construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).
In the morning, the delegation visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, touring the planning exhibition hall, the Yunhe Business District, the Beijing Library and the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing. They learned about the overall planning and development of the Center, its experience in attracting and concentrating higher education resources, as well as promoting the integration of the industry, academic and research sectors. They also observed the canal-side development and conservation and the construction of major public cultural facilities there.
Mr Chan said that the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center has been developed into a world-class harmonious and liveable demonstration area through high-standard planning, green and smart development, and a model of integration between campus and city. He said he hopes to draw on its valuable experience in relieving city functions, sharing resources, and innovation ecosystems, thereby providing practical inspiration for the top-level design, smart campus development and sustainable growth of the NMUT.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, touring the comprehensive service centre of Xiong'an's start-up area. They learned about its planning and construction, as well as its "one-stop" integrated services for relieving Beijing of functions that are not essential to its role as the nation's capital. Subsequently, the delegation visited the University Town of Fifth Cluster North Collaborative Innovation Exhibition Hall and the Beijing Forestry University Xiong'an Campus Smart Exhibition Hall and project construction site.
Mr Chan said that the first batch of Beijing universities' campuses in Xiong'an has entered a large-scale construction stage, achieving campus-city integration, deep integration of industry and education, and smart and green development, injecting strong innovative vitality into the new area. He added that the delegation learned about Xiong'an New Area's experience in fields such as higher education institution and industry linkage, infrastructure-led development, and sustainable planning. It will provide valuable insights for the high-quality planning and construction of the NMUT, helping it develop into a hub for international education, innovation, and technology.
Mr Chan, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and other members of the delegation returned to Beijing tonight and will continue their visit tomorrow (April 2).
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
