SCMA Visits Shenzhen to Discuss Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and Strengthen Cooperation with Qianhai Authority

SCMA visits Shenzhen

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa, visited Shenzhen today (July 20) to meet with leaders of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality (Qianhai Authority) to gather their views in preparing for Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and to learn about the latest developments in Qianhai.

Miss Tse met with member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Director General of the Qianhai Authority, Mr Wang Shourui, and the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Shenzhen, Ms Li Lirong, to explore ways to deepen co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhenwith regards to Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, and to support Qianhai in continuing to leverage its role as a major co-operation platform to pursue more policy breakthroughs on a pilot basis.

"The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is working at full speed to draw up Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, which will set out the city's development vision and strategic directions for the next five years. The Plan will definitely have a close connection with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), of which Hong Kong is a part. Hong Kong will work more closely with Shenzhen to jointly explore forward-looking and strategic development directions, and to leverage respective strengths to promote the development of the GBA," said Miss Tse.

The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam, was among the officials joining the visit.

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa (second left) today (July 20) met with member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Director General of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Wang Shourui (second right), and the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Shenzhen, Ms Li Lirong (first right), in Shenzhen. The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam (third left), also joined the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa, today (July 20) met with leaders of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and the Shenzhen Municipal Government in Shenzhen. Photo shows Miss Tse (fourth right) and the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam (fourth left), with member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Director General of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Wang Shourui (centre), and the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Shenzhen, Ms Li Lirong (third right), and other representatives after the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH conducts operation to crack down on illegal online sales of alternative smoking products

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (July 21) that it conducted an enforcement operation codenamed "Thunderstone" yesterday (July 20), to crack down on the illegal online sales of alternative smoking products (ASPs). A man was stopped for investigation and 800 suspected ASPs were seized.

Through routine online and offline inspections, TACO officers discovered illegal online sales of ASPs and conducted an operation yesterday. A 20-year-old man was stopped for investigation on suspicion of illegally selling and possessing ASPs for commercial purposes. A total of 800 suspected ASPs were seized. TACO is following up on the case and charges will be laid against the suspect when sufficient evidence is found.

According to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), a person who imports ASPs, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, commits an offence and isliable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years, or is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.The Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) prohibits the promotion, manufacture, sale and possession for commercial purposes of ASPs. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. From April 30,2026, any person who possesses specified ASPs, including e-cigarette capsules, liquids, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes in public places is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. If the quantity possessed exceeds the specified limit or involves commercial purposes, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

The DH reminds the public that promoting and selling ASPs through any channel, including the Internet, also carries criminal liability. Do not risk breaking the law. The public is also reminded that purchasing ASPs online may involve their importation and may constitute a breach of the law.

The DH also reminds members of the public that ASPs are addictive and are not effective smoking cessation tools. E-cigarettes may increase the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Smokers are urged to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For assistance, please call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, or visitwww.livetobaccofree.hkfor information on quitting.

DH conducts operation to crack down on illegal online sales of alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases