Statistics on Code on Access to Information for fourth quarter of 2025 announced
The Government received a total of 16 107 requests for information under the Code on Access to Information in the fourth quarter of 2025, a spokesman for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau said today (March 19).
The total number of requests received since the introduction of the Code in March 1995 and up to the end of December 2025 amounted to 296727. This includes the applications for Notice of Application for Access to Information in relation to the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) received by the Immigration Department. Of these, 16 864 requests were subsequently withdrawn by the requestors and 7132 requests covered cases in which the bureaux/departments concerned did not hold the requested information or cannot confirm or deny the existence of information. As at December 31, 2025, 1 278 requests were still being processed by bureaux/departments.
Among the 271 453 requests which covered information held by bureaux/departments and which the bureaux/departments had responded to, 267875 requests (98.7 per cent) were met, either in full (264511 requests) or in part (3 364 requests), and 3 578 requests (1.3 per cent) were refused.
Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with the response of a bureau/department under the Code may request that the matter be reviewed. He or she may also lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Ombudsman received 12 complaints relating to requests for information. In this quarter, the Ombudsman concluded 10 complaints, among which two were concluded by inquiries (with no inadequacies found), and eight were assessed and closed. As at December 31, 2025, seven complaints remained under investigation.
Source: AI-found images
Hong Kong Customs special operation combats sale of counterfeit eyewear
Hong Kong Customs mounted a special enforcement operation on March 17 and 18 across the territory to combat the sale of counterfeit goods activities and seized about 2 500 items of suspected counterfeit sunglasses and glasses, with a total estimated market value of about $2.2 million. Five persons were arrested.
Customs earlier received information alleging that some retail shops were selling suspected counterfeit sunglasses. After in-depth investigations and with the assistance of the trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action on the aforementioned dates and raided five retail shops in Cheung Sha Wan, Kwai Shing, Tsuen Wan and Fanling, as well as a supplier in Kwun Tong, resulting in the seizure of the suspected counterfeit sunglasses and glasses.
During the operation, five men, aged between 42 and 58, were arrested. They comprised three directors and two staff members.
An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to vigorously combat the sale of different kinds of counterfeit goods.
Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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 special operation combats sale of counterfeit eyewear Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
