Youth Development Commission Welcomes Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address

Youth Development Commission welcomes strategies and initiatives on youth development announced in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address

The following is issued on behalf of the Youth Development Commission:

The Youth Development Commission (YDC) warmly welcomed the strategies and policy initiatives on supporting youth development in 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) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address (the Policy Address) delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (September 16).

The Vice-Chairman of the YDC, Mr Kenneth Leung, Photo source: reference image

The Vice-Chairman of the YDC, Mr Kenneth Leung, said, "Both Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address attach great importance to youth development with clear directions and pragmatic measures. I fully agree with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's emphasis in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan on enhancing youth development opportunities and supporting young people in pursuing their dreams, with a stepped-up focus on youth exchanges, internships, employment and entrepreneurship, and on nurturing talent who can serve the needs of our country and leverage the strengths of Hong Kong. Through a wide variety of activities, we strive to inspire young people to unleash their potential, pass on the spirit of loving our country and Hong Kong, and activate international youth exchanges and collaboration."

He expressed support for the series of youth development measures introduced by the Chief Executive in the Policy Address. He added, "The youth development measures put forward in the Policy Address are very comprehensive. These comprise, on the one hand, the establishment of the 'International Youth Talent Exchange Bases' and the strengthening of co-operation with international organisations such as the United Nations and the International Organization for Mediation, thereby empowering young people to go global; while on the other hand, the expansion of youth internships and training activities in key areas such as finance, aerospace technology, high-end scientific research and AI, as well as the enhancement of the 'HYAB Youth Start-up Internship Programme'. I also welcome the Government's efforts in deepening youth patriotic education and its continued support for young people in broadening their international perspectives, participating deeply in the development of the Greater Bay Area, and better integrating into and serving the overall national development."

He said he appreciated the Government listening attentively and accepting suggestions raised by members of the YDC. He said that the YDC would continue to work proactively and closely with the Government and different sectors of society to follow up on the implementation of relevant policy initiatives in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, the Policy Address and the Youth Development Blueprint to promote youth development on all fronts.

Chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, the YDC strives to enhance policy co-ordination within the Government for promoting youth development and enable a more holistic and effective examination of and discussion on issues of concern to young people. Since its establishment, the YDC has implemented a wide spectrum of programmes to promote youth exchanges, internships, entrepreneurship, life planning, positive thinking and more. It has also actively supported the Government in formulating and implementing the Youth Development Blueprint to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, and are equipped with a global perspective, an aspiring mindset and positive thinking.

The Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address, Photo by Bastille Post

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 17) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 31-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on August 8 and seized about 133 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $548,600 and a duty potential of about $442,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the 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 illicit cigarette 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).

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 17) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases