Secretary for Environment and Ecology Explores Xizang's Plateau Food Production and Trade Opportunities

SEE visits several food and beverage production enterprises in Xizang Autonomous Region

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, visited several food and beverage productionenterprises in the Xizang Autonomous Region yesterday (May 21) to learn about the production of plateau food.

Mr Tse and the delegation yesterday visited an apple production base that utilises "plant dwarfing" technology in Shannan city to learn about the export situation of local agricultural products. This technology mainly controls the height of fruit trees, enabling high-density cultivation in the plateau environment. The total planting area of dwarfed apples in Shannan city is about 2 000 hectares, with an annual yield of nearly 3 000 tonnes.

The delegation also visited a plateau winery on the same day, which produces wine with plateau characteristics through its distinctive high-altitude cultivation.

The delegation then visited a food production enterprise in Xizang that provides airline catering services, to learn about the preparation of inflight meals. The enterprise has a daily production capacity of over 20 000 meals. It also engages in the production and sale of other food and bakery products.

In the afternoon, Mr Tse paid a visit to the Shigatse International Land Port to learn about its customs clearance process and external trade. He and the delegation then visited a brewery located on the Shigatse plateau. The brewery uses pure natural Xizang highland barley as the primary raw material for crafting beer with Xizang characteristics.

Mr Tse said the unique ecological environment of the Xizang plateau has nurtured various distinctive agricultural products. These diverse and high-quality plateau foods demonstrate the steady advancement of Xizang's food industry in production standards, brand building and supply chain management. He said he hoped that this trip will encourage Mainland food enterprises to use Hong Kong as a base and window to expand their businesses to overseas markets, thereby consolidating Hong Kong’s role as a food import and export trade hub and facilitating Xizangfood enterprises to "go global".

Mr Tse will conclude his visit in the Xizang Autonomous Region today (May 22) and return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 23).

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, continued his visit to the Xizang Autonomous Region yesterday (May 21). Photo shows Mr Tse (second left) and the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young (first right), accompanied by the Director General in the Lhasa Customs District, Mr Wang Honghan (second right), visiting a brewery in Shigatse city which uses pure natural Xizang highland barley as the primary raw material for crafting beer with Xizang characteristics. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, continued his visit to the Xizang Autonomous Region yesterday (May 21). Photo shows Mr Tse (first right) visiting the Shigatse International Land Port to learn about its customs clearance process and external trade. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, continued his visit to the Xizang Autonomous Region yesterday (May 21). Photo shows Mr Tse (left) visiting a local food production enterprise that provides airline catering services, and being briefed by a representative on the preparation of inflight meals. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, continued his visit to the Xizang Autonomous Region yesterday (May 21). Photo shows Mr Tse (first right); the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young (second left); and the Controller of the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Dr Christine Wong (first left), visiting the winemaking facility at a local plateau winery. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, continued his visit to the Xizang Autonomous Region yesterday (May 21). Photo shows Mr Tse (centre) and the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young (first right), accompanied by the Director General in the Lhasa Customs District, Mr Wang Honghan (second right), visiting an apple production base in Shannan city to learn about the export situation of local agricultural products. 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