The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking the second cultural cooperation agreement the museum has entered into with an Uzbek institution in 2026.
The Hong Kong Palace Museum, Photo source: reference image
Dr. Louis Ng, Museum Director of Hong Kong Palace Museum, revealed that a memorandum was signed last month with the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan. Plans are underway to hold an exhibition on the ancient Silk Road at the HKPM in 2028, featuring artefacts from both collections. The agreement with the Center for Islamic Civilization will focus on Islamic cultural and artistic exchange, with joint exhibitions, academic research and professional training programmes planned over the coming years. The collaboration also explores the possibility of bringing HKPM collections, including gold and silk artefacts, to the Center for Islamic Civilization for exhibition. Dr. Ng expressed hope that the partnership will strengthen talent exchange and education, and facilitate the sharing of experience with museums in Central Asia.
Dr. Louis Ng, Museum Director of Hong Kong Palace Museum, Photo source: reference image
Describing Uzbekistan as a country with a rich cultural heritage, Dr. Ng noted that local cultural professionals are eager to engage with their Chinese counterparts. He mentioned that the invitation extended by representatives from the Center for Islamic Civilization to attend a lecture in Hong Kong will help promote cultural exchanges between the two places, and also aligns with the national 15th Five-Year Plan's support for Hong Kong's role as a centre for cultural and artistic exchanges between China and the world. Further work in this area will be needed in the future.
Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drugs case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $5.4 million
Hong Kong Customs detected a dangerous drugs case yesterday (July 21) and seized a total of about 28.6 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, about 1 gram of suspected crack cocaine, and about 3g of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $5.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
Hong Kong Customs and Mainland departments on narcotics control and anti-smuggling carried out an intelligence exchange and intercepted a consignment, which was declared as tea, arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand via the Mainland on July 20. The batch of suspected cannabis buds was found inside the consignment after inspection. Upon follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation and arrested two local men aged 32 and 37 in Sheung Shui yesterday. About 1g of suspected crack cocaine and about 3g of suspected methamphetamine were also found in a private vehicle of one of the arrestees.
The arrestees have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and one of them has been further charged with one count of possession of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 23).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 detects dangerous drugs case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $5.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drugs case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $5.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
