Statement of HKSAR Government on decision of the United States in not renewing national emergency relating to Hong Kong
A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said today (July 17), the decision of the United States (US) in not renewing the national emergency relating to Hong Kong marks an important step taken by the US side in implementing the consensus reached during economic and trade consultation between China and the US. Safeguarding Hong Kong's prosperity and stability serves the common interests of China and the US, and also aligns with the general expectation of the international community. The HKSAR Government notes this positive shift in the US policy on Hong Kong. It looks upon the US side to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in the HKSAR, and resume as well as strengthen normal economic and trade exchanges with the HKSAR.
The Central Government Offices, Photo source: reference image
Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs on July 13 seized 33 live turtles of a scheduled endangered species with an estimated market value of about $330,000 at the Air Mail Centre in Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs that day examined three inbound parcels declared as containing cushions filled with polyester at the Air Mail Centre. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of live turtles of a scheduled endangered species wrapped in plastic and concealed in socks inside the postal packets.
Customs officers subsequently conducted controlled delivery operations and arrested three postal packet recipients including a 37-year-old Mainland male, a 47-year-old local female and a 29-year-old local male. The arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of an 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.
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 live turtles of scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
