Hong Kong and Shenzhen Sign Co-operation Arrangement on Colocation Arrangement at the Huanggang Port and Agreement on the Right to Use the Hong Kong Port Area

Hong Kong and Shenzhen sign Co-operation Arrangement on Colocation Arrangement at the Huanggang Port and Agreement on the Right to Use the Hong Kong Port Area

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government (SZMG) today (July 30) signed the Co-operation Arrangement between the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Implementation of Colocation Arrangement at the Huanggang Port (the Co-operation Arrangement), giving effect to the co-operation framework between Hong Kong and Shenzhen for implementing the colocation arrangement at the redeveloped Huanggang Port.

The signing ceremony was held at the Central Government Offices today. The Co-operation Arrangement was signed by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and Vice Mayor of the SZMG Mr Luo Huanghao, on behalf of the two sides.

On the same day, the Security Bureau and the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the SZMG (SZPAO) also signed the "Agreement on the Right to Use the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area and Related Extended Areas" (the Right-to-Use Agreement). The Agreement was signed by Deputy Secretary for Security Ms Joceline Chui, and the Director of the SZPAO, Mr Liu Weixiang, on behalf of the two sides.

The 23rd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPCSC), on June 26, passed the "Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Authorizing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Exercise Jurisdiction over the Hong Kong Port Area and Related Extended Areas at the Huanggang Port" (the Decision). Subsequently, the State Council issued an Official Reply on July 8 on matters relating to the commissioning of the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area and Related Extended Areas (collectively referred to as the Hong Kong Port Area), stipulating the specific co-ordinates and area of the Hong Kong Port Area, and agreeing that the Hong Kong Port Area is to be commissioned beginning at 00.00 hours of July 31, 2026, and is to be subject to the jurisdiction of the HKSAR in accordance with the laws of the HKSAR. The official opening date will be determined by the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong. Following its passage by the Legislative Council, the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Ordinance (Cap. 659) was gazetted on July 20 and will come into operation on July 31.

The Right-to-Use Agreement gives effect to Article 3 of the Decision, under which the HKSAR Government acquires, by way of a lease, the right to use the Hong Kong Port Area. The term of the lease is to commence on the day on which the relevant areas are commissioned and is to expire on June 30, 2047. On the expiry of the term of the lease, with a decision of the NPCSC, the term of the lease may be renewed. According to the mutually-agreed arrangement between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, the SZMG bears the design and construction costs of the entire Huanggang Port Redevelopment Project (including the Hong Kong Port Area). The HKSAR Government will pay the SZMG a nominal rent of RMB 1,000 per year.

Mr Tang said, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Central Authorities for their staunch support for the implementation of colocation arrangement at the Huanggang Port and the establishment of the Hong Kong Port Area. The Hong Kong Port Area will be established at 00.00 hours tomorrow (July 31) and will be subject to the jurisdiction of the HKSAR in accordance with the laws of the HKSAR. The signing of the Co-operation Arrangement and the Right-to-Use Agreement marks an important milestone in the preparatory work for the opening of the Port. The HKSAR Government will continue to work closely with the Shenzhen side to take forward various preparatory tasks in an orderly manner, including system testing, and operational and emergency drills, to ensure that all facilities and operational arrangements at the Port are sound and comprehensive."

The redeveloped Huanggang Port, positioned as the most important 24-hour passenger land boundary control point between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, will implement the colocation arrangement and the novel "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode. The overall clearance time at the redeveloped Huanggang Port will be significantly reduced from around 30 minutes at the existing Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port to approximately five minutes. The design flow of the redeveloped Huanggang Port will increase to 200 000 passenger trips per day, and could be further increased to about 300 000 upon the future commissioning of the Northern Link Spur Line of the MTR Corporation Limited.

The HKSAR Government will continue to closely co-operate with the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the SZMG to press ahead at full steam with the various preparatory tasks before the opening of the Port to the public. Upon confirmation by both sides that the Port is ready for safe and smooth operation, the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong will finalise the official opening date and make an announcement to the public in due course.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government today (July 30) signed the Co-operation Arrangement between the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Implementation of Colocation Arrangement at the Huanggang Port (the Co-operation Arrangement). Photo shows Deputy Secretary for Security Ms Joceline Chui (right) and the Director of the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Liu Weixiang (left), after signing the Agreement on the Right to Use the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area and Related Extended Areas. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government today (July 30) signed the Co-operation Arrangement between the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Implementation of Colocation Arrangement at the Huanggang Port (the Co-operation Arrangement). Photo shows Deputy Secretary for Security Ms Joceline Chui (right) and the Director of the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Liu Weixiang (left), signing the Agreement on the Right to Use the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area and Related Extended Areas. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government today (July 30) signed the Co-operation Arrangement between the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Implementation of Colocation Arrangement at the Huanggang Port (the Co-operation Arrangement). Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (right), and Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Mr Luo Huanghao after signing the Co-operation Arrangement. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government today (July 30) signed the Co-operation Arrangement between the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Implementation of Colocation Arrangement at the Huanggang Port (the Co-operation Arrangement). Photo shows the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (right), and Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Mr Luo Huanghao signing the Co-operation Arrangement. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (July 30) detected two drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 18 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 3kg of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about $7.9 million. Two persons were arrested.

In the first case, a local woman, aged 35, arrived in Hong Kong from Zurich, Switzerland, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $7.3 million, inside her check-in suitcase. She was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a Malaysian male passenger, aged 27, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $0.6 million, inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.

Investigation of the two cases are ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

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 two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases