Secretary for Environment and Ecology Visits Beijing for Ecological Cooperation and Food Safety Initiatives

SEE begins visit to Beijing

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit to Beijing. He met with officials of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), and visited facilities of the State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid), the Science and Technology Research Center of China Customs and a food enterprise in Beijing yesterday (September 8) and today (September 9).

Yesterday morning, Mr Tse met with Vice Minister of the MEE Mr Li Gao and had in-depth exchanges on the work of the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) in environmental protection, including projects related to carbon neutrality and green transformation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), as well as the work progress of building a pilot zone for a Beautiful China in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), "Beautiful Bays", "Zero Waste Bay Area" and Green Belt and Road.

Mr Tse said that the HKSAR will further promote green living and green and low-carbon transition, strengthen ecological and environmental protection, build a green and livable city, as well as advance new energy, green technology and innovative applications. The HKSAR will also capitalise on its unique advantages of having strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, and actively integrate into the country's overall development.

He added that the HKSAR Government will, as always, under the guidance and leadership of the MEE, work with other GBA cities to continuously promote policy innovation and technical exchanges, play well the roles of "super connector" and "super value-adder" connecting the Mainland and international markets, and contribute to building a Beautiful China and a Beautiful Hong Kong, in order to achieve national green transition and high-quality economic development.

Afterwards, Mr Tse visited the State Grid Simulation Center, the State Grid Center of Metrology and the State Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy Grid-Integration of the State Grid, and was briefed by the State Grid representatives on key technologies on power grids, electricity meters and research outcomes of renewable energy grid integration.

This morning, Mr Tse visited a food enterprise in Beijing to learn about its standardised production, quality traceability system and experience in product exports.

In the afternoon today, Mr Tse met with Vice Minister of the GACC Mr Zhang Baofeng. Both sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on the Registration and Administration of Manufacturers of Food Import and Export (the MOU). Under the MOU, the GACC and the EEB will co-operate on the batch registration of manufacturers for food exported from Hong Kong to the Mainland and food supplied to Hong Kong from the Mainland. They will also strengthen exchanges on safety supervision policies and regulations for manufacturers of food imports and exports, and provide timely updates regarding laws and regulations, regulatory procedures, technical standards, and hygiene requirements concerning the management of overseas manufacturers of food imports and exports, thereby safeguarding food safety in both Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Mr Tse then visited the Science and Technology Research Center of China Customs to be briefed on the Center's testing work and technology regarding food safety and discuss scope for future co-operation. He also met with representatives of a state-owned enterprise with its core business in modern agriculture and agri-food trade.

Mr Tse will attend the Asia-Pacific Forum on EnergySustainable Development and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Energy Ministerial Meeting tomorrow (September 10) and on September 11.

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan (centre), visited the Science and Technology Research Center of China Customs in Beijing today (September 9) and was briefed by staff on the center's testing work and technologies related to food safety. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan (second right), visited a food enterprise in Beijing today (September 9) to learn about its standardised production, quality traceability system and experience in product exports. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan (third left), visited the State Grid Simulation Center of the State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid) in Beijing yesterday (September 8), and was briefed by the State Grid representatives on key technologies of power grids. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan (second right), visited the State Grid Center of Metrology of the State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid) in Beijing yesterday (September 8), and was briefed by the State Grid representatives on key technologies of electricity meters. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan (third right), met with Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment Mr Li Gao (second left) in Beijing yesterday (September 8). Looking on are the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui (fourth right), and the Commissioner for Climate Change of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Mr Sammy Yeung (second right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit to Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 10), and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1 million. Two persons were arrested.

A 59-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Manila, the Philippines, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed in a check-in suitcase, in his possession. The man was then arrested. After investigations, Customs officers arrested a 58-year-old Mainland male passenger who also arrived in Hong Kong from Manila, the Philippines, yesterday, and was suspected to be connected with the case.

The two arrested men have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 12).

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 also 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.

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 detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases