CCIDA Supports Hong Kong Pavilion to Showcase Nearly 400 Publications at 2026 Southern China Book Fair

CCIDA sponsors industries to participate in 2026 Southern China Book Fair

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored Hong Kong's printing and publishing sector to set up the Hong Kong Pavilion once again at the 2026 Southern China Book Fair (SCBF) in Guangzhou, featuring nearly 400 Hong Kong publications and printed materials, with the aim of further integrating Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries into the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The 2026 SCBF, taking place at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, runs until August 31.

Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion today (August 27) and visited the themed exhibition "Stories in Script: Hong Kong Narratives" inside the pavilion. The Hong Kong publications and printed materials featured at the Hong Kong Pavilion cover a wide array of genres, ranging from literature, children's picture books, history to pop culture, showcasing the richness and unique charm of Hong Kong's culture.

This year, the Hong Kong Pavilion will also invite guests from various segments of the trade to share their creative experiences and participate in roundtable discussions, fostering cultural exchanges between the industries of the two places.

Organised by the Publicity Department of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, the SCBF is one of the largest book fairs in the country. With funding support from the CCIDA, the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and the Hong Kong Printers Association have been setting up the Hong Kong Pavilion at this annual book fair for the eighth year. For more information on the Hong Kong Pavilion at the 2026 SCBF, please visit hkpavilion-scbf.com.

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored Hong Kong’s printing and publishing sector to set up the Hong Kong Pavilion at the 2026 Southern China Book Fair in Guangzhou, where nearly 400 Hong Kong publications and printed materials were showcased. Photo shows Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip (right) and other guests touring the Hong Kong Pavilion today (August 27). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored Hong Kong’s printing and publishing sector to set up the Hong Kong Pavilion at the 2026 Southern China Book Fair in Guangzhou, where nearly 400 Hong Kong publications and printed materials were showcased. Photo shows Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip (front row, fourth right) and other guests officiating at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion today (August 27). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored Hong Kong's printing and publishing sector to set up the Hong Kong Pavilion at the 2026 Southern China Book Fair in Guangzhou, where nearly 400 Hong Kong publications and printed materials were showcased. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (August 27) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as importing an alternative smoking product, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

Customs officers intercepted a 20-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (August 26) and seized 75 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 7 600 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $364,100 and a duty potential of about $247,900 from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

An incoming air passenger was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (August 27) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases