Hong Kong and Shanghai Sign MOU to Boost Migratory Waterbird Conservation as Sister Wetlands

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the conservation of migratory waterbirds signed between the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Shanghai Municipal Forestry Bureau came into effect on December 9. The MOU marks the official establishment of the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site in Hong Kong and the Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai as sister wetlands under the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Flyway Site Network.

Both the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site and the Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve are wetlands of international importance designated under the Convention on Wetlands. Located within the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), the two wetlands serve as critical feeding and roosting habitats for waterbirds migrating along this flyway each year.

The MOU was signed by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, and Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Forestry Bureau Ms Xiong Jian and witnessed by representatives from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government.

The Deputy Director-General of the NFGA Mr Li Yunqing stated the Shanghai Dongtan and Hong Kong Mai Po, both located at critical nodes along the EAAF, have long served as vital ecological stopovers and energy replenishment stations. The successful union of the two protected areas as sister sites is a practical action by Shanghai and Hong Kong in actively fulfilling international environmental conventions and deeply engaging in terms of global ecological governance. This collaboration sets a good example for co-operative conservation efforts across the entire flyway.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government Mr Wang Wei-ren said that the partnership between these two major protected areas as sister sites is a practical step in deepening co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong in the field of ecological and environmental protection. Both sides look forward to using this platform to more effectively address common challenges in migratory bird conservation, enhance the integrity and connectivity of wetland ecosystems, and jointly protect this precious lifeline.

Mr Lai pointed out through the MOU, both Shanghai and Hong Kong will leverage their respective strengths, actively strengthen exchanges on wetland conservation, promote the core concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and jointly contribute to ecological conservation efforts at the national and global levels.

Areas of co-operation between the two sides include key fields such as migratory waterbird research, co-ordinated habitat management, and public awareness and education.

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands 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