Hong Kong Customs combats sale of suspected counterfeit and infringing jewellery at fair booths
Hong Kong Customs today (June 21) conducted an enforcement operation at the Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA) being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, seizing about 21 items of suspected counterfeit and infringing jewellery with a total estimated market value of about $30,000.
Customs received information alleging that counterfeit and infringing jewellery were displayed for sale at some booths at the JGA which lasted for four consecutive days starting from June 18.
After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers today seized the batch of suspected counterfeit and infringing jewellery from two booths.
During the operation, one man and three women, aged between 24 and 50, were arrested for being suspected of contravening the Trade Descriptions Ordinance and the Copyright Ordinance. Two of them are persons-in-charge and two of them are staff. An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs attaches great importance to combating counterfeiting and infringing activities and will deploy officers to different exhibitions to conduct inspections from time to time. Customs will contact the relevant trademark or copyright owners immediately to confirm the authenticity of the goods when suspected counterfeit or infringing goods are found. The department will also take enforcement action after investigations and with the assistance of the trademark or copyright owners.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action. Booth exhibitors are reminded to respect intellectual property rights and not to sell counterfeit and infringing goods.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale an infringing copy of a copyright work commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 for each piece of infringing goods and imprisonment for four years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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 today (June 21) conducted an enforcement operation at the Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, seizing about 21 items of suspected counterfeit and infringing jewellery with a total estimated market value of about $30,000. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR LegCo strongly disapproves of and rejects annual report of European Commission
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
A spokesperson for the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (September 23) expressed strong disapproval of and rejection against the unfounded and biased content relating to various aspects of the HKSAR in the annual report issued by the European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. LegCo also fully supports the HKSAR Government in issuing its statement to set the record straight.
The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. LegCo firmly supports the HKSAR Government to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) and other relevant laws, so as to safeguard the lawful rights and interests enjoyed by Hong Kong people and other persons in the HKSAR in accordance with the law.
The LegCo spokesperson pointed out that the HKNSL and the SNSO clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and that the rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. Nonetheless, just as the case with other places in the world, such rights and freedoms are not absolute.
As stated in the HKSAR Government's statement, the offences endangering national security stipulated by the HKNSL and the SNSO target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity. The relevant laws do not affect normal exchanges of local institutions, organisations and individuals with other countries, regions and relevant international organisations, including the United Nations, and the EU, etc. Law-abiding persons will not unwittingly violate the law. The LegCo spokesperson strongly condemned the so-called report for biasedly quoting figures to twist facts and making unfounded smears against the determination and dedication of the HKSAR to persistently safeguard the lawful exercise of rights and freedoms by citizens. At the same time, the LegCo spokesperson urged the EU to respect facts, abide by the international law and basic norms governing international relations, immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs, and refrain from smearing and defaming the actual situation of the HKSAR with double standards.
The LegCo spokesperson stressed that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. The Judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the Basic Law, free from any interference. Criminal prosecutions are based purely on laws and admissible evidence, and all defendants enjoy the right to a fair trial. Facts have also proven that since the implementation of the national security laws, Hong Kong society has restored stability, with its indices of international competitiveness, rule of law and economic rankings all remaining among the top globally.
The LegCo spokesperson also stated that the allegations in the report regarding LegCo elections, the performance of duties by Members and Council procedures are entirely inconsistent with facts. LegCo is the Legislature of the HKSAR established under the Basic Law and forms an important component of the HKSAR's constitutional order. Since the improvement of the electoral system and the full implementation of "patriots administering Hong Kong", LegCo has been returned by the Election Committee, functional constituencies and geographical constituencies through direct elections, embodying balanced participation with Members from diverse backgrounds denoting broad representation. The elections were conducted in a fair, just and open manner, suiting the actual circumstances and overall interests of Hong Kong. Members take oaths in accordance with the law to uphold the Basic Law and swear allegiance to the HKSAR, perform their duties legally, and the efficiency of Council proceedings has significantly improved.
The LegCo spokesperson emphasised that LegCo exercises its powers and functions in accordance with the law, including enacting laws, monitoring the Government's work and approving public expenditure. It maintains a relationship of checks and balances as well as complementation with the Executive Authorities, promoting law-based administration of the HKSAR Government, economic development and improvement of people's livelihood, while proactively aligning with national development strategies. The Code for Members of the Legislative Council (The Code) implemented since the Eighth LegCo has been conducive to a more efficient performance of Members' duties. The Code aims to set exemplary high standards as well as promote positive interactions between the Executive Authorities and the Legislature, thereby enhancing LegCo's efficacy, achieving good governance and meeting the expectations of society.
The scrutiny of bills by LegCo is conducted in strict accordance with the Rules of Procedure and statutory procedures in an open and transparent manner. Members can fully express their views while taking into account the interests of various sectors. In the past, anti-China forces seeking to destabilise the country and Hong Kong had used LegCo as the platform to obstruct governance, paralyse the Council and undermine Hong Kong's interests. At present, LegCo has completely broken free from past chaos of confrontation and polarisation, returning to the right track of efficient operation, focusing on Hong Kong's long-term development and people's livelihood. Allegations of democratic retrogression and suppression of dissent are malicious distortions of the actual situation in Hong Kong.
The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that LegCo has a constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security. Every sovereign state has the right to enact laws safeguarding national security and will not allow public officers to endanger national security. The EU itself maintains strict national security vetting and allegiance requirements, yet makes unwarranted accusations against LegCo of the HKSAR for performing its duties in accordance with the law. This is a typical example of hypocrisy and double standards.
The LegCo spokesperson emphasised that under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong possesses the distinctive advantage of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, continuously playing its role as a "super-connector" and "super value-adder". Defamation by external forces will never succeed. LegCo will continue to resolutely fulfil its constitutional duties, support the administration of the HKSAR Government in accordance with the law, fully assist in implementing the HKSAR's First Five-Year Plan to proactively integrate into and serve the overall national development, and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".
Source: AI-found images
