Hong Kong Promotes Economic Ties with Korea at Seoul Reception Amid Growing Collaborations and Cultural Exchange

Tokyo ETO holds reception in Seoul to strengthen economic and people-to-people ties

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo (Tokyo ETO) held a reception in Seoul, Korea, today (February 12) to promote Hong Kong's latest developments and to strengthen bilateral economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. More than 150 guests attended the event, including representatives from the local government, business, academia, media and cultural sectors.

In her welcoming remarks, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, once again congratulated Korea for successfully hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings last year, which was a landmark achievement. She noted that the high-level exchanges between Hong Kong and Korea in recent years provided a valuable platform for both places to strengthen collaboration and achieve results across a wide range of areas.

She highlighted Hong Kong's unique position under the "one country, two systems" arrangement, underscoring Hong Kong's continued commitment to serving as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" linking the Chinese Mainland, Korea and the wider region. As a measure announced in the 2025 Policy Address, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau has set up the Economic and Trade Express. The platform focuses on supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups by proactively organising overseas business missions including Korea, while at the same time facilitating more enterprises to invest in and establish operations in Hong Kong, thereby promoting the two-way flow of enterprises and investments.

Miss Au also remarked that Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul, held last year, showcased Hong Kong's East-meets-West creative strengths and drew over 540 000 attendees. The wide span of cultural performances and artistic showcases brought together about 800 Hong Kong and Korean artists and cultural practitioners through over 65 programmes.

Tokyo ETO will continue to work closely with regional partners, including Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to promote economic co-operation and people-to-people exchanges.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo held a reception in Seoul, Korea, today (February 12) to promote Hong Kong's latest developments and to strengthen bilateral economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. More than 150 guests attended the event, including representatives from the local government, business, academia, media and cultural sectors. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Picture shows the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au (left), and the Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Mr Dai Bing (right), toasting at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Picture shows the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, delivering welcoming remarks at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo held a reception in Seoul, Korea, today (February 12) to promote Hong Kong's latest developments and to strengthen bilateral economic ties and people-to-people exchanges. More than 150 guests attended the event, including representatives from the local government, business, academia, media and cultural sectors. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling

Hong Kong Customs shut down an underground cigarette factory in Fanling yesterday (April 9), and seized about 31.92 tons of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and 1.23 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarette. The total estimated market value of all seizure was about $220 million, while the duty potential was about $130 million. Six persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

After in-depth investigation, Customs Officers identified a large metal hut in Ping Che, Fanling. Customs raided the metal hut yesterday morning and found a complete illegal cigarette production line which included machines for producing and packaging illicit cigarettes, a large amount of raw materials used for manufacturing illicit cigarettes and finished illicit cigarette products. Five men and one woman, aged between 21 and 52, were arrested at the scene.

The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the batch of raw materials of the illicit cigarettes and the production line-related machines. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs reminds members of the public that they must be vigilant when purchasing cigarettes. They should patronise reputable merchants or stores and not purchase cigarettes from unknown sources to avoid threats to their health.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), a person shall not, except under and in accordance with a licence, manufacture tobacco. Besides, any person who 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 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 shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases