HKETO, Washington DC Promotes Hong Kong as "Super Connector" of Asia and the world

HKETO, Washington DC promotes Hong Kong as "super connector" of Asia and the world

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, DC, (HKETO, Washington, DC), hosted on June 11 (Washington time) a briefing on Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" of Asia and the world.

Aimed at recent graduates and interns, the briefing, titled "Hong Kong: 'Super-connector' of Asia and the World", was co-organised with the US-Asia Institute for college students and recent graduates interning or working at various organisations in Washington, DC.

The Director of the HKETO, Washington DC, Ms Elania Luk, provided a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong's development. "Youths today are leaders of tomorrow. Through today's event, we hope to help participants gain an understanding about Hong Kong's unique position and value proposition, which will hopefully come in handy in their future career development," said Ms Luk.

"Dating back from our humble beginnings as a fishing village in the 1800s, Hong Kong is no stranger to international trade. Hong Kong has long played a pivotal role connecting Asia and the world," said Ms Luk. "With unique advantages such as a free economy, unparalleled access to the Chinese Mainland market, connectivity with Asia and the world, free flow of capital and information, a simple tax regime, and common law system, Hong Kong has long welcomed the international community to leverage our city as a platform for trade and business development."

Ms Luk also shared Hong Kong's prominent position as an international centre for finance, trade, maritime transportation, aviation, dispute resolution, regional intellectual property trading, East-meets-West international cultural exchanges, and innovation and technology. She also introduced Hong Kong movies, Cantopop music, and food culture.

"We welcome friends from all over the world to experience Hong Kong's vibrant atmosphere," said Ms Luk. Ms Luk also encouraged attendees to consider Hong Kong as a way to accelerate their continued education and career trajectories. She highlighted that Hong Kong is home to five of the world's top 100 universities and that the Hong Kong Government has introduced a series of initiatives to attract and support quality overseas talent.

Following Ms Luk's remarks, Senior Analyst at The Eurasia Group Mr Dominic Chiu spoke on United States-China relations and the implications to business environments across Asia, including in Hong Kong.

Attendees also viewed an exhibition of curated paintings under the theme of "Blossoming Hong Kong". The paintings were commissioned by the Social Welfare Department under the Arts Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with various non-governmental organisations. The commissioning of the paintings illustrates Hong Kong's efforts to unleash the potential of persons with disabilities in artistic activities and spotlight their contributions to society.

Guests enjoyed an exhibit of artworks commissioned by the Social Welfare Department under the Arts Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with various non-governmental organisations. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

College students and recent graduates who are interning or working at various organisations in Washington DC participated in the lively discussion at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Senior analyst at The Eurasia Group Mr Dominic Chiu, spoke on United States-China relations and the implications to business environments across Asia, including in Hong Kong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade office in Washington, DC, Ms Elania Luk, provided a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong's development. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade office in Washington, DC, Ms Elania Luk, provided a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong's development. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 11) detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming air passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 15 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.7 million.

A 44-year-old local woman arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds from her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 13).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases