Witty Bear Youth Outreach Programme Wins Hong Kong's GovMedia Award 2026

EMSD youth outreach programme wins GovMedia Awards 2026

The Witty Bear Youth Outreach Programme - Exploring the E&M World, run by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), won the Hong Kong Outreach Project of the Year - Youth award at the GovMedia Awards 2026. The award recognises the department's efforts in promoting electrical and mechanical (E&M) knowledge to youth and nurturing future E&M talent.

Launched in 2022 and targeting children and young people, the programme features the EMSD's popular mascots, Witty Bear and KnowBot, as publicity ambassadors to promote E&M safety, energy efficiency, and innovation and technology. Through a continuous array of diverse activities, including a pilot STEM education programme, exhibitions, mobile promotion trucks and book fair booths, the programme introduces E&M knowledge in a lively, interesting, educational, and easy-to-understand manner, to inspire young children and guide youth to explore the professional world of E&M engineering, thereby nurturing new blood for the industry.

The GovMedia Awards recognise outstanding government initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region, commending organisations for their exceptional leadership, creativity, and impact in public service.

The Witty Bear Youth Outreach Programme - Exploring the E&M World, run by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), won the Hong Kong Outreach Project of the Year - Youth award at the GovMedia Awards 2026. Photo shows the Chief Engineer/Corporate Services of the EMSD, Ms Janet Lam (centre); and the Senior Engineer/Corporate Communications of the EMSD, Ms Tally Tsang (right), receiving the award at the award presentation ceremony in Singapore yesterday (July 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Witty Bear Youth Outreach Programme - Exploring the E&M World, run by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), won the Hong Kong Outreach Project of the Year - Youth award at the GovMedia Awards 2026. Photo shows the Chief Engineer/Corporate Services of the EMSD, Ms Janet Lam, speaking at the award presentation ceremony held in Singapore yesterday (July 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes illegally imported live birds of suspected scheduled endangered species

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 9) seized two illegally imported live birds of a suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $5,000, at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 46-year-old local female passenger at the Arrival Hall of the said Control Point yesterday. Upon examination, the two live birds were seized from her backpack. Officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) attended the scene for inspection and confirmed that the two live birds were of an endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance in Hong Kong. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.

Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.

According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations, it is an offence to import any bird unless it is accompanied by a valid health certificate. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 seizes illegally imported live birds of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases