Male owner of wedding decoration company convicted of engaging in wrongly accepting payments
A male owner of a wedding decoration company was sentenced to 240 hours of community service today (September 10) after his conviction for engaging in wrongly accepting payments in the sale of services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), on July 31 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts. The male owner was also ordered by the court to make compensation of about $45,000 to the victims of the case.
Hong Kong Customs earlier received numerous reports alleging that a wedding decoration company in San Po Kong suddenly suspended its business in May 2025, failing to provide prepaid wedding decoration services purchased by customers and to arrange refunds.
After an investigation, Customs found that the company involved had been experiencing financial difficulties. Nevertheless, while the company was about to cease business, the male owner continued to accept payments for prepaid wedding decoration services from customers and ultimately failed to provide the services.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services at reputable shops and think prudently before making decisions on consumption with prepayment.
Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if, at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO 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).
Source: AI-found images
CE meets Secretary of CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mr Jin Lei, at Government House today (September 10) to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. They also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and a number ofagreements between the two places. Also attending the meeting were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa; the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip.
Mr Lee welcomed Mr Jin and his delegation to Hong Kong. He said that Hong Kong and Shenzhen have long maintained close ties in areas such as economic and trade and people-to-people exchanges. Under the Hong Kong/Shenzhen co-operation mechanism, the two places have established various task forces to continuously enhance collaboration in different key areas. The Memorandum of Understanding and agreements signed today cover a number of areas, including finance, innovation and technology (I&T) and support services for enterprises going global, further advancing broader, deeper and higher-level co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The two places will continue to work together to inject stronger impetus into the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Mr Lee said that, under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of connecting the Mainland and the world. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its strengths as an international financial centre and its roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder". Through the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global, Hong Kong will continue to serve Mainland enterprises, including those in Shenzhen, in expanding into international markets. China is the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2026, and the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will spare no effort in ensuring the success of the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting to be held in Hong Kong, further deepen international exchanges and co-operation, and better integrate into and serve the overall national development.
Mr Lee said that Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, to be announced soon, will set out a blueprint for Hong Kong's future development and enable the city to seize the enormous opportunities brought by the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Hong Kong is pressing ahead at full speed with the development of the Northern Metropolis. According to the Global Innovation Index 2026, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster again ranked first globally, fully demonstrating the strong capabilities and broad prospects of Hong Kong and Shenzhen in I&T development. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote the collaborative development of the "one zone, two parks" concept of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and jointly contribute to the country's development into a nation that is strong in science and technology. At the same time, the HKSAR Government is making every effort to prepare for the smooth commissioning of the Huanggang Port. More than 100 system tests and drills of varying scales have been conducted and port operation arrangements are being continuously optimised, with the aim of further enhancing cross-boundary clearance efficiency and the service capacity of the port, to promote more efficient synergy between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
CE meets Secretary of CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
