Hong Kong Film Festival in Australia Celebrates Cinema and Cultural Exchange in Sydney and Melbourne

Sydney ETO supports Hong Kong Film Festival in Australia

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) is supporting the Hong Kong Film Festival in Australia, held in Sydney and Melbourne from March 26 to 29, presenting five Hong Kong films to the country's film lovers. The Festival aims to promote Hong Kong cinema's cultural legacy and provide a platform to connect Hong Kong filmmakers with Australian audiences.

The Sydney ETO hosted a reception before the screening of "Back to the Past Plus+" in Sydney yesterday (March 26) (Sydney time). About 100 guests across the filming, cultural, government, business and media sectors attended the reception.

Addressing the audience, the Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is actively promoting Hong Kong films on the international stage so that audiences around the world can experience the city's unique stories, creativity and cultural vibrancy.

Mr Chong said, "The Sydney ETO places great importance on strengthening ties between Hong Kong and Australia through cultural exchanges. Film serves as a bridge that transcends language and geography, resonating with audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds."

He added that the HKSAR Government is committed to promoting the development of arts, culture and creative industries. Over HK$9 billion has been injected into the CreateSmart Initiative and the Film Development Fund, creating new opportunities for filmmakers.

The Festival features four new Hong Kong movies, namely "Back to the Past Plus+", "Kung Fu Juniors", "Pass and Goal" and "Another World", as well as the restored classic "Chungking Express", which is being screened in Sydney from March 26 to 28. "Another World" and "Chungking Express" will also be screened in Melbourne on March 28 and 29. The director of "Kung Fu Juniors", Clifton Ko, will take part in a post-screening Q&A session in Sydney to engage with the audience.

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, delivers his welcoming remarks before the screening of "Back to the Past Plus+" at the Hong Kong Film Festival in Australia yesterday (March 26) (Sydney time) to promote Hong Kong's film industry. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) is supporting the Hong Kong Film Festival in Australia, which is being held in Sydney and Melbourne from March 26 to 29. The Festival is presenting five Hong Kong films to the country's film lovers. Photo shows the Deputy Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney, Mr Yu Jie (second left); the Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong (second right); Councillor of the City of Sydney Mr Robert Kok (first left); and the Chair of Hong Kong Film Festival in Australia, Mr Ricky Hui (first right), at the reception before the screening of "Back to the Past Plus+" in Sydney yesterday (March 26) (Sydney time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) is supporting the Hong Kong Film Festival in Australia, which is being held in Sydney and Melbourne from March 26 to 29. The Festival is presenting five Hong Kong films to the country's film lovers. Photo shows (first row, from left) the Deputy Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney, Mr Yu Jie; the Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong; Hong Kong film director Clifton Ko; and the Chair of Hong Kong Film Festival in Australia, Mr Ricky Hui, with the audience before the screening of "Back to the Past Plus+" in Sydney yesterday (March 26) (Sydney time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to 29 days of imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 23) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 58-year-old male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (May 22) and seized 1 981 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $8,100, and the duty potential was about $6,500. He was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, 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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases