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 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. Photo shows one of the live turtles of the scheduled endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival
Hong Kong cinema is the undisputed star at this year's 25th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), where a record 17 films will be screened under the "Hong Kong Panorama" banner, presented with the support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) from July 10 to 26 (New York time).
The centrepiece event was the presentation of the NYAFF's Best from the East Award to actor Daniel Wu on July 20 (New York time), ahead of the special screening of "Cold War 1994", honouring a career that began in Hong Kong cinema before extending into Hollywood, television and the director's chair, and bringing with him the discipline, physicality and storytelling instinct for which Hong Kong film is known.
The New York ETO hosted a special reception for Wu and other attending Hong Kong film talents before the award presentation. Speaking at the reception, Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, congratulated Wu for his contributions to Asian cinema and bringing Hong Kong storytelling sensibility through his work across film and television globally.
Ms Ho also highlighted the deep ties between Hong Kong cinema and the NYAFF, noting that Hong Kong films have been a part of the festival's identity since its earliest editions. The New York ETO has supported the festival's "Hong Kong Panorama" since 2009, introducing New York audiences to the actors, directors and screenwriters shaping Hong Kong cinema.
This year's Hong Kong Panorama builds on that legacy, showcasing five North American premieres, alongside numerous special screenings and events, with a number of Hong Kong film talents attending the festival. Ms Ho said the expanded lineup reflects both the creative vitality of Hong Kong's film industry and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's continued commitment to supporting that industry on the world stage.
Several of this year's films received support and funding from the HKSAR Government, including "Afterpiece" (financed through the Directors' Succession Scheme that pairs seasoned filmmakers with emerging directors), "Bird of Paradise" (a winning film project in the higher education institution group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI)), "Dog Day Evening" (financed by the Film Production Financing Scheme (Relaxation Plan)), and "Gamer Girls" (winning film project in the Higher Education Institution Group of the 6th FFFI).
Hong Kong actress Angela Yuen will receive the NYAFF's Screen International Rising Star Asia Award on July 21 (New York time), underscoring Hong Kong's strong pipeline of talent with international reach. Ms Ho congratulated Yuen for her outstanding performances on screen and on seeing her hard work and talent celebrated in New York.
This year's NYAFF's 2026 Filmmaker in Focus took audiences inside one of the most influential careers in Hong Kong cinema – the prolific and versatile director, Andrew Lau, who reflected on the craft, innovation and lasting impact of his incredible library of works, including NYAFF 2026 featured films "The Storm Riders", "Initial D" and his acclaimed new feature, "The Dumpling Queen".
In addition to Lau, Wu and Yuen, other Hong Kong filmmakers attending this year's NYAFF include actor Yukki Tai, actress Ng Wing-sze; and directors Veronica Bassetto, Frankie Chung, Pang Ho-cheung, Keane T. K. Wong, Joey Wu, and Phillip Yung.
Source: AI-found images
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
