RTHK's Solar Project 2026 Concludes Successful Xinjiang Study Tour for 106 Students

RTHK Solar Project 2026 Xinjiang study tour concludes

Radio Television Hong Kong's (RTHK) flagship summer programme, Solar Project 2026, has concluded its Xinjiang study tour today (July 9). Led by the Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan, a delegation of 106 students from 77 secondary schools departed for the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on July 3 for a seven-day visit.

Held under the theme "Cultural and Tourism Junior Reporters", the programme took the students as Solar Ambassadors to multiple destinations, including Urumqi, Shihezi, the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture and the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, where they visited a diverse range of cultural landmarks and engaged in immersive educational activities. Key highlights of the itinerary included Tianshan Tianchi, cotton fields, peach orchards, vineyards, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Reclamation Museum, Sayram Lake, Liuxing Street and the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall in Yining City. Throughout the visit, RTHK published daily short videos and photos captured by the Solar Ambassadors on its official social media pages, offering a vivid showcase of their learning experiences and achievements.

Ms Kwan reaffirmed RTHK's longstanding commitment to youth development, expressing hope that Solar Project, as an established annual youth initiative, will continue to provide young people with first-hand exposure to the nation's history, culture, and development. She encouraged participants to bring their unique youth perspectives to telling China's story to the world, and to share their learnings and experiences with family and friends upon returning to Hong Kong.

Ahead of the Xinjiang visit, RTHK had arranged a preparatory exchange visit to Qianhai on June 26, followed by a new media and video production workshop on June 27. Looking ahead, RTHK will host the Solar Project 2026 Closing Ceremony in August, and will broadcast a dedicated feature programme on RTHK TV31, offering a comprehensive record of the programme's highlights and memorable moments.

Solar Project 2026 is jointly organised by RTHK and the Hong Kong Chinese Culture Development Association, sponsored by the B&P Foundation, and funded by the HYAB (Home and Youth Affairs Bureau) Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland.

Radio Television Hong Kong's flagship summer programme, Solar Project 2026, has concluded its Xinjiang study tour today (July 9). Photo shows students visiting the cotton fields of the 143rd Regiment in Shihezi, Xinjiang. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Radio Television Hong Kong's flagship summer programme, Solar Project 2026, has concluded its Xinjiang study tour today (July 9). Photo shows the Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan (centre), mingling warmly with students during their visit to Sayram Lake. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Radio Television Hong Kong's flagship summer programme, Solar Project 2026, has concluded its Xinjiang study tour today (July 9). Photo shows the Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan (front row, 14th right), with students at the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall in Ili. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Radio Television Hong Kong's flagship summer programme, Solar Project 2026, has concluded its Xinjiang study tour today (July 9). Photo shows the Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan (front row, eighth right), with students during their visit to Xinjiang Radio and Television Station. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 9) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 54-year-old local female passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on June 6 and seized 260 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from her. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $1,200, and the duty potential was about $860. The passenger 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).

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 9) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows duty-not-paid cigarettes concealed around the calves of a 54-year-old incoming local female passenger that were covered by the pants. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 9) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows duty-not-paid cigarettes concealed around the waist of a 54-year-old incoming local female passenger that were covered by a T-shirt. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases