Singapore's Prime Minister Visits Hong Kong Park to Explore Innovation and Investment Opportunities in Northern Metropolis

Prime Minister of Singapore visits Hong Kong Park in the Loop in Northern Metropolis

The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore, Mr Lawrence Wong, accompanied by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; and the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, visited the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park in the Loop) in the Northern Metropolis (NM) today (March 27).

Ms Linn and a representative of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office first introduced the overall planning and latest development of the NM, as well as the adoption of multipronged measures to accelerate the development and attract investment.

Afterwards, the delegation visited the wet laboratory buildings in the Hong Kong Park in the Loop, which were officially inaugurated in December last year, and was briefed byProfessor Sun on the Park’s overall planning, industrial layout and progress in attracting enterprises and investment.

Mr Chan said that the visit allows the Prime Minister of Singapore and his delegation to gain a deeper understanding of the overall planning and future development direction of the Northern Metropolis, and to learn about the potential investment and collaboration opportunities it offers to the Singaporean business community and enterprises. The visit also further enhances exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Singapore.

He also noted that the Hong Kong Park of the Loop is one of the four major co-operation platforms in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It is set to develop into a world-class technological innovation hub connecting the Mainland and the international community, as well as an important source for the country to foster new quality productive forces. He looks forward to more co-operation between Singapore and Hong Kong in areas such as innovation and technology, talent exchange and industrial collaboration, jointly promoting regional innovation and technology development.

The delegation members from Singapore include Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, Ms Sim Ann; Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ms Low Yen Ling; and Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of National Development, Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi.

The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore, Mr Lawrence Wong, visited the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park in the Loop) in the Northern Metropolis today (March 27). Photo shows Mr Wong (front row, fourth left) being briefed by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (front row, fourth right) on the Hong Kong Park in the Loop. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore, Mr Lawrence Wong, visited the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park in the Loop) in the Northern Metropolis today (March 27). Photo shows Mr Wong (second left) being briefed by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (third left) on the Hong Kong Park in the Loop. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore, Mr Lawrence Wong, visited the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in the Northern Metropolis (NM) today (March 27). Photo shows the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn (first right) briefing Mr Wong (third left) and his delegation on the overall planning and latest development of the NM. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore, Mr Lawrence Wong, visited the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park in the Loop) in the Northern Metropolis today (March 27). Photo shows (from left) the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of National Development of Singapore, Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore, Ms Sim Ann; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; Mr Lawrence Wong; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore, Ms Low Yen Ling; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; and the Consul General of Singapore in Hong Kong, Mr Eric Teo Boon Hee at the Hong Kong Park in the Loop. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 26) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 11 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 18kg of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $8.85 million. Two men were arrested.

The first case involved a 62-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market of about $2 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved a 58-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market of about $6.85 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 27). For the second case, an investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases