Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles and cactuses of scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 27) seized two live turtles and four cactuses of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $2,000, at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.
Customs officers intercepted an incoming 62-year-old male passenger at the arrival hall of the said control point yesterday and found the batch of live turtles and cactuses, which were suspected to be scheduled endangered species, inside a plastic bag carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested. Officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) attended the scene for inspection and confirmed that the batch of species were of endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (the Ordinance) in Hong Kong. The case was handed over to the AFCD for a follow-up investigation.
Customs reminds the public not to carry endangered species without the required licence into and out of Hong Kong.
According to the Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 seizes live turtles and cactuses of scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by SFST at Listing Ceremony of Hang Seng Gold ETF (English Only)
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the Listing Ceremony of Hang Seng Gold ETF (exchange-traded fund) today (January 29):
Kelvin (Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission, Dr Kelvin Wong), Luanne (Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, Ms Luanne Lim), Rosita (Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hang Seng Investment Management Limited, Ms Rosita Lee), ladies and gentlemen, and distinguished guests,
Good morning. It is a great privilege to address you today as we mark a pivotal new chapter in Hong Kong's financial market. With our determined efforts to position the city as a premier international gold trading hub, as indicated by the Chief Executive's Policy Address, the listing of the Hang Seng Gold ETF represents strong support for this vision and contributes to the growth and innovation of Hong Kong's gold market.
In recent years, sovereign and financial investors have increasingly sought diversification for reserves and asset allocation. Gold's attributes - as a commodity, an investment vehicle, and a safe-haven asset - have strengthened further, driving sustained price appreciation. Global gold demand in value terms surged 44 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter of last year, reaching a record US$146 billion. Gold ETF holdings also rose substantially, climbing by 222 tonnes in the quarter to exceed 3 800 tonnes, underscoring robust investor appetite amid geopolitical uncertainties and market volatility.
We are delighted to welcome the listing of the Hang Seng Gold ETF. As the first ETF in Hong Kong that supports physical gold redemption at bank, it seamlessly blends the flexibility and liquidity of an ETF with the security of physical commodities. This enables smooth trading, secure storage, and flexible redemption - all conducted entirely within Hong Kong. We are also encouraged by the continued momentum of financial innovation here and look forward to even greater advancements. The exploration of distribution through licensed digital asset exchanges will help bridge traditional and digital finance, unlocking new opportunities.
This initiative aligns fully with the vision set out in the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address, which calls for accelerated development of a world-class international gold trading market. Key measures include establishing a central clearing system for gold in Hong Kong that provides efficient, reliable services in strict compliance with international standards, while inviting participation from the Shanghai Gold Exchange to facilitate collaboration with the Mainland.
A landmark milestone was achieved this Monday with the signing of a co-operation agreement between my bureau and the Shanghai Gold Exchange at the Asian Financial Forum earlier this week. This partnership lays a solid foundation for Hong Kong's gold central clearing system to connect with the Mainland market.
The Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited, wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government, will operate this system. Together with our partners, we will drive its efficient development, ensuring alignment with international standards and also promoting greater trust, transparency, and innovation in the gold market.
In closing, I wish the listing every success. By working hand in hand with the market, we are building a more connected, efficient, and innovative gold ecosystem that benefits investors regionally and also globally. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
