Seventh-Term Commission on Targeted Poverty Alleviation Convenes First Meeting

Seventh-term Commission on Targeted Poverty Alleviation convenes first meeting

The Government announced that starting from today (September 2), the existing "Commission on Poverty" will be renamed as the "Commission on Targeted Poverty Alleviation". The renaming aims to highlight the Government's strategic direction and firm commitment to advancing targeted poverty alleviation.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the first meeting of the new-term Commission today. He said that the current-term Government is committed to building a comprehensive poverty alleviation system. In addition to providing a safety net through inclusive social services encompassing housing, healthcare, education and social welfare, the Government upholds a people-oriented approach. By identifying specific groups under its targeted poverty alleviation strategy, the Government provides focused and effective support to those most in need.

Members noted that the last two terms of the Commission targeted subdivided unit households, single-parent households and all-elderly households. Taking into consideration the characteristics of these groups, the Commission identified their difficulties and pain points. Through tripartite collaboration of the Government, the business sector and the community, the Commission launched a series of targeted poverty alleviation measures tailored to these target groups. The new-term Commission supports that the targeted poverty alleviation strategy should be adjusted in response to changing societal needs, and will review and introduce a new target group in a timely manner so that more people requiring assistance can benefit.

Members also noted that the Government is proactively preparing to establish a social welfare project matching platform, aiming to roll out the first round of matching activities this year. This initiative will help institutionalise the tripartite collaborative model, bringing together the Government, the business sector and the community to support the vulnerable, while connecting business resources with community welfare projects to provide innovative and targeted services for those in need.

Members also took note of government officials' reports on the work of the Community Care Fund and the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund, as well as the progress of various funded assistance programmes.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (front row, fifth right), today (September 2) chairs the first meeting of the seventh-term Commission on Targeted Poverty Alleviation. Photo shows the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun (front row, fifth left); the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (front row, fourth right); the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (front row, third right); the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Alice Lau (front row, fourth left), with members. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (September 2) chairs the first meeting of the seventh-term Commission on Targeted Poverty Alleviation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (sixth left), today (September 2) chairs the first meeting of the seventh-term Commission on Targeted Poverty Alleviation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (September 2) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 4 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1 million.

A 39-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday (September 1). During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds and 108 duty-not-paid cigarettes inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

An investigation is 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 to 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.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (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.

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 seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases