Xia Baolong Concludes Two-Day Inspection Visit to Hong Kong

Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council Mr Xia Baolong concludes inspection visit to Hong Kong 

The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, today (June 17) conducted the second day of his inspection visit to Hong Kong.

Accompanied by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; and the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, Mr Xia this morning visited the new Huanggang Port to learn about the redevelopment of the port.

Mr Xia then visited Kwai Chung Container Terminal 8 to understand the latest development of the shipping industry in Hong Kong. The National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline explicitly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international shipping centre. During his visit, Mr Xia was briefed by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, on the situation of the ports. He also exchanged views with the industry practitioners.

Mr Xia later met with Mr Lee and Principal Officials at Government House, where he also held discussions to exchange views with community representatives.

Mr Xia concluded his two-day inspection visit and departed Hong Kong in the afternoon.

The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong (fifth right), today (June 17) holds discussions to exchange views with community representatives in the company of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (sixth right), at Government House. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong (centre), today (June 17) meets with the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (third left) at Government House. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong (third left), today (June 17) visits Kwai Chung Container Terminal 8 in the company of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (second left), and is briefed by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan (first right), on the situation of the ports. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong (first left), today (June 17) visits Kwai Chung Container Terminal 8 in the company of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (second right), and exchanges views with the industry practitioners. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong (tenth right), today (June 17) visits the new Huanggang Port in the company of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (ninth right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong (second left), today (June 17) visits the new Huanggang Port in the company of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (third left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two large-scale sea smuggling cases and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $37 million

Hong Kong Customs recently mounted enforcement operations to combat large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling activities by sea. From August 2 to 3, Customs detected two cases through intelligence exchanges, risk assessments and intelligence analyses. A total of about 8.12 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $37 million and a duty potential of about $27 million were seized.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 40-foot container, declared as carrying an enclosed lifeboat and a rescue boat, and arriving from Singapore for inspection on August 2 at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 5.34 million suspected illicit cigarettes from the container. A 51-year-old local man connected with the case was arrested. Customs officers subsequently conducted a controlled delivery operation and further arrested a 68-year-old local man connected with the case.

In the second case, Customs officers intercepted a 40-foot container, declared as carrying toothpaste, skincare products and other goods, and arriving from Incheon, Korea, for inspection on August 3 at the same container terminal. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 2.78 million suspected illicit cigarettes from the container. A 42-year-old local man connected with the case was arrested.

The operations displayed Customs' enforcement effectiveness in intercepting cross-border illicit cigarettes at the source through co-operation with law enforcement agencies in the region. The department will continue to foster collaboration and strengthen intelligence exchanges between regional partners in law enforcement, and vigorously combat cross-border illicit cigarette activities.

Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Moreover, under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who 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).

Hong Kong Customs detects two large-scale sea smuggling cases and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $37 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two large-scale sea smuggling cases and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $37 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases