Youth Development Commission Holds 21st Meeting to Discuss Hong Kong's First Five-Year Youth Development Plan

Youth Development Commission convenes 21st meeting

The Youth Development Commission convened its 21st meeting today (May 5).

At the meeting, members gave views on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's formulation of Hong Kong's first five-year plan to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan in respect of youth development, covering numerous subjects such as nurturing young talent, promoting patriotic education, and promoting international youth exchange. The Government will continue to collate views from stakeholders and young people and, on the basis of the Youth Development Blueprint and in line with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, strive to nurture a new generation of youth equipped with a global perspective, a positive mindset, and affection for Hong Kong and the country.

Afterwards, members were briefed by government representatives on the latest implementation progress of the Youth Development Blueprint since its release in December 2022. Members were pleased to note that bureaux and departments have been promoting youth development work at full steam in accordance with the guiding principles as stated in the Blueprint. Apart from actively implementing some 160 specific actions set out in the Blueprint, relevant policy bureaux have also introduced approximately 130 additional youth-related new measures since the release of the Blueprint. This ensures that the Blueprint is progressing with the times and can continue to respond to the changing needs of young people. The various measures are progressing well, and the bureaux will continue to take them forward.

Furthermore, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau reported the latest progress of youth internship and exchange activities outside Hong Kong organised by various bureaux and departments. These include providing more opportunities for young people to participate in internships with international organisations and at international conferences and introducing a new media thematic internship programme on the Mainland as part of the Young Talent Training Programme. The Government will continue to promote youth internship and exchange activities outside Hong Kong to provide suitable opportunities for young people at different development stages and of different backgrounds, so that they can learn and experience first-hand the latest developments in the country and the world.

Source: AI-found images

Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases involving river trade vessels with goods worth about $41 million seized

Hong Kong Customs detected two suspected smuggling cases involving river trade vessels on April 20 and 21 respectively. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $41 million were seized.

Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, two river trade vessels departing from Hong Kong for Macao were selected for inspection on the abovementioned dates respectively. Upon examination, Customs officers aboard the vessels found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected pharmaceutical products, cosmetic injections, cigars, suspected scheduled mobula gills and watches.

Investigations are ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant crimes.

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 involving river trade vessels with goods worth about $41 million seized Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases