Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 15) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns with members of the Wong Tai Sin District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health, the Housing Department (HD) and the Hong Kong Police Force at Chuk Yuen South Estate and Tsz Ching Estate in Wong Tai Sin. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System.
Customs officers patrolled the housing estates and introduced to residents Customs' enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes, and reminded them that the maximum penalty for offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes has been increased to a $2 million fine and seven-years' imprisonment. Customs also explained to estate security personnel how to deal with suspected illicit cigarette activities.
Customs officers also introduced the Duty Stamp System to be implemented in Hong Kong to members of the District Council, residents, newspaper stall keepers and cigarette retailers. The three-month Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System launched by Customs concluded early this year. The department will continue to maintain close communication with all stakeholders and optimise the design and implementation details of the system. Customs expects the Duty Stamp System to achieve the ultimate goal of effective distinguishment of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat "cheap whites".
Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise public awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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 are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotional leaflet). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public are also urged to report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflet distribution to TACO's hotline 2961 8823.
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Policy Address: A Strategic Vision for a Bright New Era, Driving Reform and Boosting Development, Unleashing Opportunities and Enhancing Livelihood
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (September 16) announced his fifth Policy Address entitled "A Strategic Vision for a Bright New Era, Driving Reform and Boosting Development, Unleashing Opportunities and Enhancing Livelihood", taking the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan) as its blueprint, putting forward a series of measures to create development opportunities and enhance the well-being of the people.
"This year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has formulated our first Five-Year Plan to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, seizing opportunities for development while better integrating into and serving the overall national development. In the thick of accelerating global changes not seen in a century, the vibrant momentum driven by our country's robust strength, enormous market and high-quality development presents Hong Kong with boundless opportunities. We will better develop our economy and boost social well-being, starting a bright new chapter for Hong Kong," Mr Lee said.
Five major development opportunities advance high-quality development
The Policy Address proposes numerous key measures focusing on five major development opportunities, namely talent development, industry development, business investment, institutional safeguards and international co-operation.
To attract and retain high-calibre talent in Hong Kong, the Government will expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT) to strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international education hub. As set out in the Policy Address, the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town led by the Chief Secretary for Administration will be upgraded to become the Committee on Construction and Development of the University Town. The Committee will provide high-level steer, facilitate and incentivise NMUT institutions to pursue the transformation of research outcomes. In order to build Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent, the Government will increase the research postgraduate places by around 30 per cent and the quota for government scholarships by 200, and establish five new major academies for training international talent for further talent development, including the International Clinical Trial Academy, Maritime Academy, Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, Hong Kong Intellectual Property Academy and Hong Kong International Academy of Policing.
To promote industry development, the Policy Address proposes to expedite the development of an international gold trading market and to explore a proposal to provide tax concessions for qualifying activities within the gold and commodity trading ecosystem; to announce the new Renminbi-denominated and physically settled gold futures contracts details; to explore the possibility of increasing the Exchange Fund's gold holdings and gradually transferring its physical gold holdings to designated vaults appointed by the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited.
A number of policies are proposed to promote industry development, including introducing specialty insurance (e.g. commodity, commercial aerospace etc) to help the industries grow bigger and stronger; injecting funding to the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme to support the development of the intelligent computing industry; accelerating the adoption of medical innovation and industry chain development to enable the public to benefit from better and newer drugs; and fostering a new economic landscape for the low-altitude and emerging (e.g. commercial aerospace, etc) industries.
The commencement of all nine New Development Areas (Kwu Tung North/Fanling North, Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long South, San Tin Technopole and the Loop, Ngau Tam Mei, Lau Fau Shan, Ta Kwu Ling, Ma Tso Lung and Au Tau) symbolises the transitioning of the Northern Metropolis (NM) from a blueprint on paper to a period of fruition. Besides, the Government is developing six special industry parks at full steam, including the Loop Hong Kong Park, San Tin Technopole, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park, Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen modern logistics cluster. Land is also earmarked for building an advanced construction industry park to increase investment opportunities for enterprises.
To attract enterprises to establish footholds in Hong Kong, tax concessions will be granted on the basis of the values brought by enterprises, instead of solely considering the industry sector. The Government will introduce an amendment bill by this year, providing preferential tax rates of 5 per cent, or half-rate, for selected enterprises operating in key sectors such as finance, advanced manufacturing, innovation and technology, as well as research and development, headquarters activities and logistics and supply chain management, etc.
Furthermore, the Government will spare no effort in building Hong Kong into a global capital of mediation, the world's most preferred arbitration seat, and supporting the work of the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong. The Government will drive the establishment of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law in Hong Kong, support the Judiciary to advance the development of the International Commercial Court, and establish the "Strategy Committee on Intellectual Property Trading Development" to assist the Government in formulating strategies and support measures for the promotion of intellectual property trading.
Regarding international co-operation, two United Nations (UN) organisations, the centre of excellence on global advanced manufacturing and the Office on Drugs and Crime's GlobE Network Asia Pacific Regional Bureau, will establish their presence in Hong Kong respectively. The Government will launch a new HYAB - United Nations Youth Leaders Internship Programme, offering internship placements for the youth in various UN agencies. In addition, scheduled to open next year, the new WestK Performing Arts Centre will feature four performance venues built to the highest international theatre standards. The Government will also encourage Asian and international sports associations to establish a presence in Hong Kong.
Twenty-five key livelihood initiatives enable citizens to enjoy a better quality of life
The Policy Address also introduces multiple measures across 25 areas, including youth employment, education, promoting fertility, housing, healthcare, community services, elderly care, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and labour protection, to enhance the well-being of the public.
The Government and the business sector will launch the two-year, "30 000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme" to facilitate youth employment. The industries covered include the business sector, innovation and technology and start-ups, the construction industry, and the financial services sector. The Government will also launch an International Young Talent Exchange Base to promote international exchanges.
Various measures are proposed to advance quality education, including rolling out a free digital-education learning resource platform equipped with AI Large Language Models, enhancing the operating standards of schools, taking forward digitalisation in kindergarten education administration, and promoting the quality and quantity of student hostels development.
Eleven measures will be introduced to promote fertility, include extending the $20,000 newborn baby bonus for three years, lowering the stamp duty on property purchases by qualified families, and building additional aided standalone child care centres. The Government is rolling out first-ever policies to encourage families to have more than one child, i.e. increasing the newborn baby bonus to $30,000 and raising the tax allowance for the second or subsequent child born.
Regarding housing, public housing production is entering the phase of harvesting. The production of public housing over the next five years will be increased by about 73 per cent, compared to the five-year period that started four years ago. All 30 000 Light Public Housing units will be completed by March next year, ahead of the target.
On healthcare, the Government will strengthen primary healthcare services, improve hospital services, strengthen Chinese medicine services and roll out 11 mental health measures, including continuing to implement the Three-Tier School-based Emergency Mechanism, setting up an additional Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness, and extending the Healthy Mind Pilot Project.
Regarding community service, the Government will launch two additional Community Living Rooms, roll out the Community Pharmacy Programme, launch the Community Drug Formulary and gradually increase the number of drugs covered.
For better care for the elderly, the Government will increase the number of Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly and Residential Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly. New subsidised day care facilities for the elderly, Neighbourhood Elderly Centres and residential care homes for the elderly will be increased. A mobile version of the JoyYou Card will also be launched to make it more convenient for the elderly.
In order to support the local economy, the Government will launch 10 measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including funding SMEs to tap into more emerging markets, extending the 20 free credit checks for one year, providing more support and subsidies for AI applications, supporting e-commerce and brand development, and accelerating trade-financing, etc.
Furthermore, labour protection will be enhanced, including formulating new legislation to protect delivery workers, combatting illegal employment through interdepartmental joint operations. The Policy Address also sets out a number of measures to support carers and persons with disabilities, facilitate the development of ethnic minorities and women, and nurture a diversified pool of talent.
Other livelihood measures include driving green sustainable development, setting up an "AI City Brain" integrated city management system, launching seven areas of action in AI risk governance, taking forward 51 flood prevention projects, replacing or rehabilitating aged water mains, reforming the system for the maintenance of old buildings, introducing a three-tier mechanism for resolving building management disputes centred on mediation, optimising government services through "AI+", and enhancing 1823 services.
Mr Lee concludes, "Today, Hong Kong is at a critical juncture in advancing from stability to prosperity. We are fully aware that formulating a comprehensive, strategic roadmap is integral to our long-term development. The Government has been persistent in mapping our way by driving development through reform. The primary goal of our policies is to enable economic development that can benefit the people of Hong Kong, and meet their aspirations for a better life.
"At this juncture in history, I believe that, with the solid backing of our country, together with our good minds and hardworking hands, we can ensure that the fruits of our efforts reach and enrich each and every family, building Hong Kong, our home, into a better, more prosperous place to live and flourish."
Please visit www.policyaddress.gov.hk for the details and key points of the Policy Address.
Source: AI-found images
