Hong Kong Hosts 27th WCO A/P Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference with Over 120 Officials Attending

Hong Kong Customs holds 27th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference

Hong Kong Customs, serving as the World Customs Organization (WCO) Vice-Chair for the Asia/Pacific (A/P) Region, is today (May 18) hosting the 27th WCO A/P Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference that will run until May 20.

This is the highest-level annual conference held in the A/P region, and has gathered more than 120 heads of Customs and senior officials from the region, alongside delegates from the WCO's regional entities. The Secretary General of the WCO, Mr Ian Saunders, was also in attendance.

The Conference started with a welcoming speech by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, in the capacity of the WCO Vice-Chairperson for the A/P Region. Mr Chan emphasised the critical role of the Conference in shaping regional policies and fostering a collaborative customs community. Over the past two years, Hong Kong Customs, in its capacity as the A/P Vice-Chair, has upheld the core values of collaboration and co-operation. He encouraged all members to carry this momentum forward to ensure prosperity, sustainable development and close connections in the region. Other speakers, including Mr Saunders, also addressed the Conference and shared valuable insights on the WCO's future developments.

Meanwhile, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended the welcome reception yesterday (May 17). In his remarks, Mr Yau reaffirmed the steadfast support of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for initiatives that promotes regional Customs co-operation, with a view to fostering more efficient and responsive Customs services to facilitate trade.

The Conference featured discussions on key Customs initiatives in the A/P Region and regional priorities, facilitating an exchange of ideas and collective decision-making to enhance trade facilitation and connectivity amongst regional members.

The Conference was complemented by cultural performances, including a demonstration by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Joint Primary Schools Wushu Elite Team at the welcome reception, and a performance by the Symphonic Band of Good Hope School prior to the start of the first day of the Conference. These performances not only highlighted the blend of Chinese and Western cultures, but also showcased the talent and vitality of Hong Kong's young generation.

Hong Kong Customs is hosting the 27th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference from today (May 18) to May 20. Photo shows the wonderful performance by the Symphonic Band of Good Hope School prior to the start of the first-day Conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs is hosting the 27th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference from today (May 18) to May 20. Photo shows the wonderful performance by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Joint Primary Schools Wushu Elite Team at the welcome reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs is hosting the 27th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference from today (May 18) to May 20. Photo shows the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, delivering his remarks at the welcome reception yesterday (May 17). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs is hosting the 27th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference from today (May 18) to May 20. Photo shows the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (right) exchanging views with the Secretary General of the WCO, Mr Ian Saunders (left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs is hosting the 27th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific (A/P) Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference from today (May 18) to May 20. Photo shows the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (first row, eleventh left), the Secretary General of the WCO, Mr Ian Saunders (first row, tenth left), other attending Hong Kong Customs officers and representatives of the A/P members and regional entities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs is hosting the 27th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference from today (May 18) to May 20. Photo shows the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (centre), presiding over the Conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs is hosting the 27th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference from today (May 18) to May 20. Photo shows the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (right), delivering a welcoming speech at the Conference. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany (with photos/video)

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, led a delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to commence a visit to Germany yesterday (May 18, Aachen time). During the trip, site visits to local higher education and innovation and technology infrastructure will be arranged, providing a solid reference for the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

The delegation first visited RWTH Aachen University. Founded in 1870, RWTH Aachen University is the largest technology university in Germany, and a leading institution in engineering and applied sciences in Europe. The university is one of the nine members of the TU9, the alliance of leading universities of technology in Germany, and houses many national research centres, maintaining close ties with industry.

The delegation exchanged views with university representatives and stakeholders, and toured campus facilities, including WZL, one of the institutes of the university with the closest co-operation with industry and also one of Europe's largest production technology institutes; and a running demonstration factory that involves industry partners and also serves research and training purposes. They learned about the university's successful experience and practices in campus planning, industry-academia-research integration, innovation ecosystem development, technology transfers and interdisciplinary collaborations, thereby accumulating valuable practical references for the NMUT's campus ecosystem and industry-academia collaboration.

Mr Chan said that RWTH Aachen University is widely recognised for its achievement of translating fundamental research into real-world applications through an exceptionally strong industry-led model, and deep collaboration with corporations. He expressed hope to draw on the university's successful experience so that higher education and cutting-edge research can jointly drive technological breakthroughs and industrial advancement at the NMUT. He also expressed hope to learn from RWTH Aachen University's experience in nurturing long-term fundamental research while fostering close industry partnerships in order to further deepen the integration of industry, academia, and research at the NMUT.

Mr Chan and other members of the delegation will proceed to Stuttgart on May 19 (Aachen time) to continue their visit.

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Germany (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases