Director of Water Supplies Inspects Dongjiang River Source Protection in Jiangxi Province

DWS visits Jiangxi to inspect protection of sources of Dongjiang River

The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, began a two-day visit to Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, yesterday (March 4) to inspect the protection of the sources of Dongjiang River.

Yesterday, Mr Wong met with the Director-General of the Water Resources Department of Jiangxi Province, Mr Luo Chuanbin, and representatives of the Pearl River Water Resources Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources and relevant authorities of the Ganzhou Municipal People's Government to learn about the province's work in protecting the sources of Dongjiang River, including forest conservation and patrols, soil and water conservation, as well as river and lake management. Being the sources of Dongjiang River, Jiangxi Province has, over the past 60 years, been committed to safeguarding the quality of Dongjiang water supplied to Hong Kong. Mr Wong thanked the Jiangxi authorities for their long-standing efforts in ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the Dongjiang water supply, which have provided strong support for Hong Kong's prosperity and development and demonstrated the country's care and support for Hong Kong.

Today (March 5), Mr Wong visited Sanbai Mountain in Anyuan County to meet with the first forest ranger of the source area, Mr Gong Longshou, and expressed appreciation to him and other forest rangers for their dedication over the years to safeguarding the ecological environment of the sources of Dongjiang River. Mr Wong said, "Protecting water begins with protecting forests. Thanks to the dedication of generations of forest rangers, Hong Kong citizensare able to enjoy a stable supply of high-quality Dongjiang water. We pay our highest tribute to their commitment."

Mr Wong also joined parts of a Mainland study tour organised by the Education Bureau for the senior secondary subject Citizenship and Social Development today. He accompanied teachers and students from Caritas Ma On Shan Secondary School to learn on-site about forest conservation and patrol work in the source area, with a view to deepening their understanding of the Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong and water resources protection. Mr Wong encouraged students to cherish water resources, enhance their understanding of the country's achievements in water infrastructure and ecological conservation, and appreciate the meaning of "Our Blessed Origin". Teachers and students said the visit was highly rewarding. The tour later joined local officials in a tree-planting activity in the watershed forest to support source protection and ecological development through concrete actions. Mr Wong concluded his visit and returned to Hong Kong today.

Mainland study tours are an integral part of the curriculum of Citizenship and Social Development, enabling all senior secondary students to gain first-hand understanding of the country and enhance their sense of national identity through field studies. As of January this year, more than 150 000 senior secondary students had participated in Mainland study tours covering 11 provinces or municipalities.

DWS visits Jiangxi to inspect protection of sources of Dongjiang River Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DWS visits Jiangxi to inspect protection of sources of Dongjiang River Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DWS visits Jiangxi to inspect protection of sources of Dongjiang River Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DWS visits Jiangxi to inspect protection of sources of Dongjiang River Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases by air of suspected precious metals worth about $233 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two air freight smuggling cases of suspected precious metals on March 2, and seized about 168 kilograms of suspected gold foil and about 285kg of suspected silver foil, with a total estimated market value of about $233 million, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Both cases represent the largest precious-metal smuggling cases detected by Customs on record in terms of the seizure market value.

Based on risk assessment, Customs on that day examined two outbound air cargo consignments, declared as carrying multifunctional cleaners and UV cleaners departing for Japan, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected gold foil and suspected silver foil concealed in over 4 000 cleaners from the consignments.

An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

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 two smuggling cases by air of suspected precious metals worth about $233 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases