LegCo Members Enhance Governance Skills and Understanding During National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing

LegCo Members commence on second day of National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) today (July 20) commenced on the second day of the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. They attended exchange sessions and thematic seminars at the National Academy of Governance (NAG) to deepen their understanding on how to improve the quality of LegCo's work, the holistic approach to national security and social governance, as well as the international economic and political landscape, thereby strengthening Members' capability of broad and strategic thinking.

In the morning, Members attended the opening ceremony for the Study Visit and a sharing session on how to improve the quality and standard of LegCo's work. Members gained a profound understanding that, as an integral part of the governing team of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), they must perform their duties diligently and play a pivotal role in the reform and development of the HKSAR under the executive-led system. They must also respond to the citizens' earnest expectations of LegCo Members through high-quality participation in politics and policy deliberation.

In the afternoon, Members attended a thematic seminar to study the implementation of the holistic approach to national security for improving the standard of social governance. Through analysing various domestic and foreign cases about the risks to national security, Members learnt that when preventing and handling national security risks, risk assessment, organisational mobilisation, unified command, and emergency rescue are all key elements in achieving the overall secure development of society.

Members then attended a thematic seminar on the analysis of the international relations landscape to gain further understanding on the current political turbulence and changes. Members also exchanged views and shared perspectives with the speaker on Hong Kong's roles and responsibilities under the complex and ever-evolving international political landscape at present.

In the evening, Members attended a welcome dinner at the NAG.

Members will continue with the Study Visit programme tomorrow (July 21), which includes attending thematic seminars.

Click here to watch the video highlight of today's Study Visit.

Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) today (July 20) commenced on the second day of the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members attending a thematic seminar on the analysis of the international relations landscape. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) today (July 20) commenced on the second day of the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members attending a thematic seminar to study the implementation of the holistic approach to national security for improving the standard of social governance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) today (July 20) commenced on the second day of the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members attending the opening ceremony of the LegCo National Affairs Study Visit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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