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

Singapore ETO supports Hong Kong music students' participation in RondoFest 2026

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) supports 10 Hong Kong music students from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), the Education University of Hong Kong,Hong Kong Baptist Universityand the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong in participating in the Hanoi stop of the RondoFest 2026 in Vietnam.

Following nominations by various institutions and selection through audition, the 10 Hong Kong music students joined 160 other selected young musicians from 12 countries and regions to form the RondoFest Festival Orchestra. The orchestra toured Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, as well as Hanoi in Vietnam, from May 29 to June 11, taking part in performances and a wide range of cultural exchange activities, including masterclasses, outreach, forums and networking opportunities.

This evening (June 10), the Director of the Singapore ETO, Ms Elsa Hung, attended the tour concert "RondoFest plays Mahler 2" in Hanoi to show support for the Hong Kong students. Prior to the performance, Ms Hung visited the students during their rehearsal session and encouraged them to make full use of the valuable opportunities for exchange, collaboration and professional development, while forging friendships and connections that extend beyond the stage. Ms Hung added that the Singapore ETO's support for the students' participation reflects Hong Kong's steadfast commitment to nurturing emerging artistic talent and promoting international cultural exchange.

Founded in Malaysia in 2019, the RondoFest Music Festival is a renowned classical music platform in Southeast Asia positioned as a capacity-building programme that provides world-class learning and performance opportunities for musicians, while championing artistic excellence and exchange as well as youth development. The festival has been engaging Hong Kong music talent through collaboration with various institutions and music groups, including the HKAPA and the Asian Youth Orchestra.