Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 11) seized 164 live turtles, some of which were suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $320,000, at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.
Customs officers intercepted an incoming 77-year-old Mainland male passenger at the Arrival Hall of the above-mentioned control point yesterday. Upon examination, the batch of live turtles was seized from his recycling bag and rucksack. Officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) attended the scene for inspection and preliminarily identified some of the live turtles as of endangered species listed in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance in Hong Kong. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.
Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
Also, according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169), any person who, by wantonly or unreasonably doing or omitting to do any act, causes any unnecessary suffering to any animal commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for three years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 yesterday (October 11) seized 164 live turtles, some of which were suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $320,000, at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. Photo shows the live turtles seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO presents Hong Kong's first film programme at KINO Rotterdam
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) is presenting Hong Kong's first thematic film programme at KINO Rotterdam in the Netherlands from October 9, 2026, to January 8, 2027 (Rotterdam time), as a special highlight. The programme is supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Film Development Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
Entitled "Hong Kong Stories: Lives in Transition", the programme captures the multiple facets of Hong Kong's city life through the stories of people across different generations in the 15 classic films spanning from the 1980s to the late 2010s, namely "A Moment of Romance", "A Simple Life", "As Tears Go By", "Autumn Moon", "Chungking Express", "Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind", "Infernal Affairs", "July Rhapsody", "Mad World", "Made in Hong Kong", "My Heart Is That Eternal Rose", "Nomad", "Rouge", "Spacked Out" and "Still Human". The programme brings together a stellar line-up of internationally acclaimed Hong Kong film stars, including legendary figures such as Andy Lau, Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung, whose celebrated performances and enduring charm have won the hearts of audiences around the world for decades.
Addressing guests at the opening reception on October 9, Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO Ms Venus Tsoi thanked KINO Rotterdam for the thoughtful selection of films and its efforts in promoting the programme, which has received enthusiastic feedback across different channels, including an overwhelming response on social media. The strong interest demonstrates the widespread appeal of Hong Kong cinema in Europe and Brussels ETO is committed to creating more platforms for European audiences to discover the creativity and beauty of Hong Kong cinema.
Citing the Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme as an example, Ms Tsoi said, "The Hong Kong Government has been rolling out various initiatives to promote international collaboration in the film industry. CCIDA will set up the Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions to provide one-stop services for overseas film crews filming in Hong Kong. I encourage you to leverage these resources and Hong Kong's excellent support to realise your film projects in Hong Kong, and I look forward to seeing the beautiful cityscape of Hong Kong through your cameras and your creative eyes."
Quoting Hong Kong's close to 50 million visitor arrivals in 2025, Ms Tsoi also said that the Hong Kong Government is dedicated to enhancing visitors' travel experiences, and that "Film + Tourism" will be a key highlight in promoting Hong Kong' s rich film culture. She concluded by inviting European visitors to visit Hong Kong for more engaging and immersive experiences inspired by Hong Kong's rich cinematic heritage.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) is presenting Hong Kong's first thematic film programme, entitled "Hong Kong Stories: Lives in Transition", at KINO Rotterdam in the Netherlands from October 9, 2026, to January 8, 2027 (Rotterdam time), as a special highlight. Photo shows Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO Ms Venus Tsoi addressing the audience before the film begins. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) is presenting Hong Kong's first thematic film programme, entitled "Hong Kong Stories: Lives in Transition", at KINO Rotterdam in the Netherlands from October 9, 2026, to January 8, 2027 (Rotterdam time), as a special highlight. Photo shows the networking reception organised by Brussels ETO, which was attended by about 200 local guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
