Eighth Hong Kong-Switzerland Financial Dialogue
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The eighth Hong Kong-Switzerland Financial Dialogue was held in Bern, Switzerland on January 29 (Bern time). Co-organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) under the Federal Department of Finance of Switzerland, the Dialogue aims to foster collaboration in financial services between Hong Kong and Switzerland, and to facilitate the exchange of views on important issues surrounding the global financial system.
The Dialogue was chaired by Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMAMr Darryl Chanand the Deputy State Secretary of the SIF, Mr Christoph König. Representatives from the Swiss National Bank, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, and the HKMA also participated in this bilateral dialogue. During the meeting, the representatives discussed regional and domestic outlook and policy challenges, as well as the latest developments and potential areas of collaboration in sustainable finance, fintech, and market connectivity.
Following the Dialogue, a financial seminar for the private sector was co-hosted by the Swiss Bankers Association and the Hong Kong Private Wealth Management Association to exchange views on the latest financial trends and developments in Switzerland and Hong Kong, including the use of AI in banking, digital assets, as well as cross-border opportunities and challenges, and to explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Eighth Hong Kong-Switzerland Financial Dialogue Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighth Hong Kong-Switzerland Financial Dialogue Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case involving river trade vessel with goods worth about $700,000 seized
Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving a river trade vessel on April 1. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $700,000 were seized.
In the afternoon on that day, Customs identified a suspicious river trade vessel during sea patrol in the northwest area of Hong Kong waters and intercepted the vessel for inspection. Upon examination, Customs officers seized a large batch of suspected smuggled goods on board, including suspected pharmaceutical products, dried abalones, leather bags, liquors and wine. A captain and a crew member of the vessel, suspected of violating the Import and Export Ordinance, were arrested during the operation.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant crimes.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
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 detects smuggling case involving river trade vessel with goods worth about $700,000 seized Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
