AFCD seizes 18 endangered parrots in Lau Fau Shan operation, arrests two men for illegal possession.

AFCD seizes 18 endangered parrots during enforcement operation in Lau Fau Shan

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) conducted a blitz operation yesterday (May 26) at private land in Lau Fau Shan, seizing a total of 18 endangered parrots and arresting two men.

The AFCD received a referral from the Planning Department regarding the aforementioned site, which involved an unauthorised development under the Town Planning Ordinance. Numerous bird cages were found at the site, some of which contained birds. Following intelligence gathering and investigation, the AFCD mounted an enforcement operation. During the operation, AFCD officers arrested two men who were suspected of being in connection with the illegal possession of endangered parrots listed in Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), including Goffin's cockatoos, blue-throated conures, golden conures, yellow-naped amazon parrots, yellow-headed amazon parrots and a hyacinth macaw.

According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), unless exempted or otherwise stipulated, possession of Appendix I species requires a Licence to Possess or relevant documentary proof of the animals' origin. As the two men were unable to produce the required Licence to Possess or relevant documents, they were arrested, and 18 endangered parrots were seized for further investigation.

In addition, the Planning Department took enforcement action against the unauthorised development at the site. The Planning Department served an Enforcement Notice to the relevant persons yesterday, requiring them to discontinue the unauthorised development by a specified date.

A spokesman for the AFCD said, "Illegal possession of endangered species is a serious offence. Any person contravening the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years, and the seized specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction."

A spokesman for the Planning Department said, "Undertaking an unauthorised development may be subject to prosecution. Under section 23(6) of the Town Planning Ordinance, a person who is served with an Enforcement Notice but fails to comply with its requirements by the specified day commits an offence. Upon first conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and a daily fine of $50,000. Upon second or subsequent conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $1 million and a daily fine of $100,000."

The Government is committed to protecting endangered species. The AFCD will continue to monitor and collect intelligence, and proactively take enforcement action to combat offences involving endangered species.

Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illegal possession of endangered species to the AFCD by calling 2150 6978 or emailing espint@afcd.gov.hk.

Members of the public with enquiries about town planning matters may call 2231 5000 or email enquire@pland.gov.hk.

AFCD seizes 18 endangered parrots during enforcement operation in Lau Fau Shan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD seizes 18 endangered parrots during enforcement operation in Lau Fau Shan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD seizes 18 endangered parrots during enforcement operation in Lau Fau Shan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD seizes 18 endangered parrots during enforcement operation in Lau Fau Shan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD seizes 18 endangered parrots during enforcement operation in Lau Fau Shan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD seizes 18 endangered parrots during enforcement operation in Lau Fau Shan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong tops cross-boundary wealth management centre in the world

According to the Global Wealth Report 2026 published by the Boston Consulting Group today (May 27), Hong Kong is now the world's largest cross-boundary wealth management centre. The Report further projects that, from 2025 to 2030, the cross-boundary wealth managed by Hong Kong will grow by 9 per cent on average annually and maintain first place globally, fully affirming Hong Kong's position as a world-leading cross-boundary wealth management centre.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "The National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong in strengthening its functions as an international asset and wealth management centre, which is also a key component of Hong Kong's 'Finance +' development strategy. Over the past few years, the HKSAR Government has worked closely with the financial sector to continuously improve the financial infrastructure and ecosystem, expand the range of investment products and risk management tools, and deepen the connectivity with capital markets around the world. Currently, global investors are actively seeking diversified asset allocation. Leveraging the advantages of 'one country, two systems', complemented by free, open, transparent, and predictable economic policies as well as a stable and secure investment environment, and cross-market connectivity, Hong Kong is attracting more and more ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices (FOs) to establish a presence and invest in the city."

He said, "Benefiting from the wealth generated by technological innovation and the rapid development of industries related to artificial intelligence, demand for asset and wealth management in the Mainland and the Asian region is set to grow at an accelerated pace. This is expected to open up greater room for development for Hong Kong's asset and wealth management sector. The HKSAR Government will continue to grasp and propel this wave of development to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status and function as an international financial centre."

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, "The current term Government strives to reinforce Hong Kong's competitive advantages as a leading asset and wealth management centre. We issued the Policy Statement on Developing Family Office Businesses in Hong Kong in March 2023 and has since implemented various measures, such as providing profits tax concession to family-owned investment holding vehicles managed by eligible single FOs, introducing the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES). The Government will introduce legislative proposals into the Legislative Council next month to further enhance the preferential tax regimes for funds, single FOs and carried interest, so as to further enhance the competitiveness of the tax regimes, and attract more funds and FOs to set up and operate in Hong Kong."

He further said, "While global economic gravity shifts eastward, geopolitical tensions further highlight Hong Kong's role as a safe harbour, reflecting Hong Kong's appeal as an international financial centre. Amid the global environment of heightened geopolitical risks, we will work concertedly with the industry to continue driving the growth momentum of Hong Kong's asset and wealth management industry."

Asset and wealth management is a priority growth area for the financial services industry of Hong Kong. The current term Government has yielded fruitful results through implementation of various measures to develop a vibrant ecosystem for FOs and asset owners. The Government achieved early in September 2025 the target set in the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address of facilitating at least 200 FOs to set up operations or expand their business in Hong Kong by the end of 2025, and will strive to further facilitate at least 220 FOs to set up operations or expand in Hong Kong from 2026 to 2028. According to the findings of the study by the consultant commissioned by Invest Hong Kong published in February 2026, there were over 3 380 single FOs operating in Hong Kong as of end-2025. This represents an increase of about 680 offices, or more than 25 per cent, over the past two years. In addition, the New CIES has been steadily attracting global high-net-worth individuals and capital inflows to Hong Kong since its launch in March 2024. As of end-April 2026, Invest Hong Kong has received nearly 3 600 applications, representing an anticipated investment value of about HK$108 billion for the city, demonstrating Hong Kong's competitive edge in the global investment landscape and demonstrates the market's confidence in Hong Kong.

Source: AI-found images