Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs today (August 1) seized four live turtles of suspected endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $20,000, at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.
A 43-year-old local woman was intercepted for customs clearance at the departure hall of the Control Point. Customs officers found four live turtles on her body. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the batch of turtles were suspected to be endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.
The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of 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 suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, together with members of the LegCo Panel on Security and other Members, conducted a visit to the Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area (the Hong Kong Port Area) today (August 1) to learn about the latest preparatory work prior to its opening, including facilities operations and clearance arrangements.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, Members first received a briefing by representatives of the Security Bureau on the latest progress of the preparatory work for the Hong Kong Port Area, as well as the passenger clearance routes and facilities layout in the building. Members considered that the redevelopment of Huanggang Port is one of the key initiatives through which the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) better integrates into and serves the overall development of the country, as well as a major livelihood project long-awaited by the public. In this regard, Members expressed their hope for early opening of the port.
The Hong Kong Port Area was established at the midnight of July 31 and is under the jurisdiction of the HKSAR in accordance with the laws of the HKSAR. Members noted that the redeveloped Huanggang Port will be positioned as the most important 24-hour passenger land boundary control point between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Adopting the co-location arrangement and the novel "collaborative inspection and joint clearance" mode, the overall clearance time will be significantly reduced from 30 minutes to approximately 5 minutes, significantly enhancing the passenger clearance experience and efficiency.
Members then visited facilities of the Hong Kong Port Area, including the Public Transport Interchange, Passenger Clearance Hall, Vehicle Clearance Level and the Immigration Clearance Hall for On-board Passengers, to gain first-hand knowledge of various operational arrangements of the Hong Kong Port Area. Members received a briefing by representatives of the Immigration Department on the operation of the "collaborative inspection" automated channels at the Passenger Clearance Hall, noting that passengers will only need to queue up once for document inspection or "face scan" clearance for identity verification to complete the respective immigration procedures of the two places, simplifying the passenger clearance procedures.
Members also observed the "joint one-stop" vehicle lanes at the Vehicle Clearance Level, and were briefed by representatives of the Customs and Excise Department on the "five-party inspection" arrangement for vehicles and drivers. Members learned that drivers will have to complete clearance procedures with the collection of body temperature, travel document, facial features and fingerprint data in one go through the "integrated information collection device". The relevant information will then be transmitted to five different customs, immigration and quarantine authorities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen for respective immigration inspections. This will significantly enhance clearance efficiency.
During the visit, Members exchanged views with government representatives on various issues, covering the public transport facilities connecting to the Hong Kong Port Area, preparatory tasks prior to its opening, including status of various tests and drill arrangements, as well as supervision of operations, with a view to ensuring smooth operations after the opening of the port in the future.
A total of 37 Members attended the visit. In addition to members of the Panel on Security, other non-members also attended.
LegCo Members visit Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Huanggang Port Building Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
