Hong Kong Customs Signs MOU with PDD Holdings to Enhance Cross-Boundary E-Commerce Cooperation

Hong Kong Customs signs MOU with PDD Holdings

The Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Intelligence and Investigation), Mr Wong Ho-yin, witnessed by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PDD Holdings today (September 2) at the Customs Headquarters Building to establish a closer co-operative relationship.

At the signing ceremony, Mr Chan said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan supports the development of new forms and models of business, including cross-boundary e-commerce, and promotes regulatory innovation in customs clearance. The signing of the MOU with PDD Holdings is an important step in this direction to strengthen co-operation between the Government and the cross-boundary e-commerce platform. Both sides will establish a closer communication and collaboration mechanism, strengthen compliance promotion, and assist the platform and its merchants in understanding Hong Kong's relevant legislation and import control requirements, with a view to preventing prohibited items from entering Hong Kong through online shopping channels, thereby providing more comprehensive protection for consumers.

The Senior Vice President of PDD Holdings, Mr Liao Yongdi, said that the group attached great importance to compliant development in cross-boundary e-commerce. The group would leverage technologies, including big data and AI, to strengthen management of goods, merchants and transaction processes, with a view to reducing compliance risks. He added that PDD Holdings looked forward to establishing a long-term communication mechanism with Hong Kong Customs to enhance collaboration and follow up on relevant matters in a timely manner, thereby providing Hong Kong consumers with a safer and more reliable online shopping experience.

Hong Kong Customs will continue to uphold the department's duties and mission of safeguarding the country's gateway and fostering development, deepen collaboration with the trade, and facilitate legitimate trade.

Hong Kong Customs signs MOU with PDD Holdings Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Intelligence and Investigation) of Customs and Excise, Mr Wong Ho-yin (second right), and the Senior Director of Government Relationship of PDD Holdings, Mr Feng Wen (second left), signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Hong Kong today (September 2). The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (first right), and the Senior Vice President of PDD Holdings, Mr Liao Yongdi (first left), witnessed the signing of the MOU at the scene. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Intelligence and Investigation) of Customs and Excise, Mr Wong Ho-yin (second right), and the Senior Director of Government Relationship of PDD Holdings, Mr Feng Wen (second left), signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Hong Kong today (September 2). The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat (first right), and the Senior Vice President of PDD Holdings, Mr Liao Yongdi (first left), witnessed the signing of the MOU at the scene. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs today (September 2) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PDD Holdings. Photo shows the Senior Vice President of PDD Holdings, Mr Liao Yongdi, delivering a speech during the signing ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs today (September 2) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PDD Holdings. Photo shows the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, delivering a speech during the signing ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SCST at Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra "Welcome Tarmo Reception"

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) "Welcome Tarmo Reception" today (November 7):

David (Chairman of Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, Mr David Cogman), Tarmo (Music Director of the HK Phil, Mr Tarmo Peltokoski), Vincent (Chairman of the Chow Sang Sang Group, Mr Vincent Chow), ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I have the greatest pleasure to join you at this reception to officially welcome our new Music Director, Tarmo Peltokoski. I say welcome, but of course, Tarmo is already a familiar and highly respected figure among our musicians and audiences. Tonight's reception is a formal introduction, but really, it should feel even more like a homecoming party.

First, let me propose that once again we give a good round of applause to Tarmo and all the talented instrumentalists, vocalists and choristers, from Hong Kong and overseas for the stunning performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 just now. The performance was a magnificent close to the HK Phil's complete Mahler cycle; but it was also a splendid fanfare for the new era under Maestro Tarmo's baton.

Great artistic synergy takes time to build, yet today it felt entirely natural. Tarmo first sparked this chemistry as the HK Phil's Guest Conductor in 2023, strengthened it as Music Director Designate last season, and he now finally steps into his new role with deep familiarity and well-honed artistry. Tonight's concert is a brilliant showcase of Tarmo's assured stage performance, exceptional conducting prowess, and seamless teamwork with the HK Phil's talented musicians. Just now I told Winnie (Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, Ms Winnie Tam), if I were a choir member, I would also be very, very happy to work with a conductor like Tarmo.

I am fully confident that this strong partnership will elevate the HK Phil to new heights and enrich Hong Kong's vibrant cultural scene. The Hong Kong SAR Government proudly supports the HK Phil in its further effort to solidify its role as a cultural flagship of our city. Together, we will project Hong Kong's artistic brilliance on the global stage, reinforcing our position as an East-meets-West cultural exchange centre.

As a music lover myself, please allow me to express my warmest thanks to Tarmo and all the musicians for an unforgettable orchestral feast. Here is to a new era for the HK Phil - one filled abundantly with breathtaking music, rewarding projects, and exciting milestones ahead. Tonight is just a remarkable beginning, and the best is yet to come.

Let us all enjoy the rest of this delightful evening. Do keep your eyes and ears open. I'm told there will be surprise bonus encore performances during the reception, and I, for one, definitely won't want to miss them. Thank you very much.

Source: AI-found images