Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases involving river trade vessels with goods worth about $8.5 million seized
Hong Kong Customs detected two suspected smuggling cases involving river trade vessels on August 19 and 20 respectively. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $8.5 million were seized.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, two river trade vessels departing from Hong Kong for Macao were selected for inspection on the abovementioned dates. Upon examination, Customs officers aboard the vessels found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected pharmaceutical products, cosmetic injection vials, cigars and Chinese herbs.
Investigations are ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant crimes.
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 upon conviction. Any person who exports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid export licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.
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 detects two smuggling cases involving river trade vessels with goods worth about $8.5 million seized Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases involving river trade vessels with goods worth about $8.5 million seized Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by PSITI at seminar on APEC Thematic Session on Capacity Building and Resilience Development of SMEs in Guangzhou
Following is the speech by the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi, at the seminar on APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Thematic Session on Capacity Building and Resilience Development of SMEs in Guangzhou today (August 31):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to gather with representatives from across the Asia-Pacific economies here in Guangzhou today, as we explore how we may work hand in hand to build an innovation-driven and resilient small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) ecosystem for our region.
Against the backdrop of global economic transformation and external volatility, driving enterprise upgrading and fostering new quality productive forces are the key policy directions for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in advancing quality economic development. As at March 2026, Hong Kong is home to some 360 000 SMEs, representing over 98 per cent of our business sector and employing 1.2 million people. As the bedrock of Hong Kong's economic framework, the pace at which our SMEs upgrade and transform directly impacts our broader economic momentum. To this end, the Government continuously refines its strategies through a multipronged approach, covering financial support, technology adoption, capability building, and market expansion. Crucially, these initiatives align our local business community with national development strategies, including the National 15th Five-Year Plan, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative.
Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem is anchored by three major parks and five key research and development institutions. Our flagship I&T parks play a vital incubation role, offering end-to-end support to young and growing enterprises - from seed funding and technical guidance to investor matching and market entry and expansion. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation empowers start-ups to scale from concept to market, while the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop has introduced targeted, cross-boundary incubation programmes, focusing on key sectors such as life and health technology and AI. Concurrently, Cyberport fuels youth entrepreneurship on digital and AI fronts, and has launched a specific programme for One-Person Companies in July this year, providing one-stop start-up support for entrepreneurs and young aspirants to capitalise on opportunities in emerging AI technologies. Furthermore, through the Pilot I&T Accelerator Scheme launched in January 2026, we are attracting top-tier international and local professional service institutions to set up accelerator bases in Hong Kong, leveraging their global business networks, experience and expertise to provide comprehensive yet targeted support for our startups.
To accelerate transformation of production and manufacturing, the Government supports local enterprises, on a matching basis, to set up smart production lines through the enhanced New Industrialisation Funding Scheme. As at June 2026, the scheme has supported 79 applications involving over 130 production lines, with a total investment amount of around $1.7 billion across diverse industries. In addition, the Pilot Manufacturing and Production Line Upgrade Support Scheme encourages traditional manufacturers to integrate smart production technologies into their existing production lines to enhance overall productivity and competitiveness. Additionally, we launched in June this year the New Industrialisation Elite Enterprises Nurturing Scheme to identify, support and nurture targeted high-growth enterprises to develop their businesses and contribute to economic development.
To assist enterprises to scale new heights, we continue to fund enterprises in brand building, operation upgrading and expansion into the Mainland and overseas markets through various schemes; and we have recently expanded the scope of such funding support to cover AI applications. Our SME centres provide integrated one-stop support in digital transformation, e-commerce and market expansion, and our agencies also actively assist enterprises in identifying AI and digital solutions, through reputable service providers, to optimise operational efficiency and unlock new growth opportunities.
Ultimately, resilient development can only thrive on open collaboration. Leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages of being backed by the Chinese Mainland and being closely connected to the world, we continue serving as a vital bridge for international co-operation. We look forward to deepening peer learning and knowledge exchanges with our Asia-Pacific counterpart economies in AI applications, digital transformation and supply chain co-ordination, and jointly exploring effective pathways for innovation-driven resilient development.
The HKSAR Government will seize the opportunities brought by national development, deepen regional synergistic development, and broaden international connections. By fully leveraging our unique strengths, we remain committed to empowering the development of SMEs in the Asia-Pacific region. Let us join hands to drive progress through innovation, and together we can build a more resilient and better future. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
