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
Incoming driver convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing unmanifested cargo
A 67-year-old incoming local male driver was convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (July 10) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as importing unmanifested cargo, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Hong Kong Customs intercepted an inbound private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point on June 26. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized 6 200 duty-not-paid cigarettes from the interior space of the front bumper of the vehicle. The male driver was subsequently arrested. The total estimated market value of the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized in the case was about $27,900, and the duty potential was about $20,500.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products 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.
Moreover, smuggling is a serious offence. Under the IEO, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action.
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).
Incoming driver convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing unmanifested cargo Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Incoming driver convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing unmanifested cargo Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Incoming driver convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing unmanifested cargo Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
