Hong Kong Customs raids suspected illicit cigarette storage site in Kwun Tong
Hong Kong Customs raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage site in Kwun Tong yesterday (October 12). A total of about 430 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were seized. The estimated market value was about $1.94 million, while the duty potential was about $1.42 million. A local woman involved in the case was arrested.
During an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Kwun Tong yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a suspicious woman on Yee On Street, and found 1 200 suspected illicit cigarettes from her backpack upon search. Customs officers immediately arrested the 63-year-old local woman, who claimed to be a cleaner, and escorted her to her residential address in a tenement building nearby for search. About 430 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were further seized.
The case is still under investigation. The arrested woman has been charged and the case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court tomorrow (October 14). Customs will continue to trace the source of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source, as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who 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 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).
Hong Kong Customs raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage site in Kwun Tong yesterday (October 12). A total of about 430 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were seized. The estimated market value was about $1.94 million, while the duty potential was about $1.42 million. A local woman involved in the case was arrested. Photo shows the illicit cigarettes seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage site in Kwun Tong yesterday (October 12). A total of about 430 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were seized. The estimated market value was about $1.94 million, while the duty potential was about $1.42 million. A local woman involved in the case was arrested. Photo shows the illicit cigarettes seized from the tenement flat involved in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE commends members of "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (October 13) held the Commendation Ceremony of the "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation to recognise the active performance and fruitful learning outcomes of the Delegation members, and launched the thematic exhibition "Unswerving Original Aspiration; Steadfast Conviction: The 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Red Army's Long March", enabling students to learn about the history of the victory of the Red Army's Long March through the exhibits and related learning and teaching resources.
The commendation ceremony was officiated by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. In his speech, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Central Authorities for their regard and cordial care for the growth of Hong Kong young people and patriotic education. He said that the Delegation was honoured to be received by Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Mr Ding Xuexiang, which was a great encouragement to Hong Kong students. He hoped that students would bear in mind Vice Premier Ding's exhortations and turn this rare experience into lasting motivation for their future endeavours.
Mr Lee encouraged students to revisit the history of the Red Army's Long March and deepen their sense of patriotism through visiting the thematic exhibition. He said, "The national flag is the symbol of the country. It represents national sovereignty, dignity and unity, and carries the Chinese nation's course of struggle and common ideals. To salute the national flag is to pay tribute to our country, and also to the Red Army soldiers who did not fear sacrifice, embraced national ideals and continuously strove for self-improvement." He urged students to promote the spirit of the Long March through practical actions in the future, take the Long March of the new era well, and become builders and successors of the "one country, two systems" cause.
The "Salute to the National Flag" Hong Kong and Macao Youth Flag-Raising Teams' Beijing Visit Delegation is a high-level key youth exchange programme. It conducted its thematic activity in Beijing from September 18 to 22. About 1 200 flag-raising team representatives from tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools, teachers, students and youth group representatives from Hong Kong and Macao took part. The visit aimed to enable participating students to witness in person the solemn flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square and experience the historical culture of the capital and the country's development achievements, deepen their sense of national identity and patriotism, and root the spirit and sentiment of patriotism in the hearts of young people.
At today's ceremony, a number of school representatives were commended to encourage them to combine their first-hand experience in Beijing with what they had learned in class and to transform their patriotic feelings into a resolve to contribute to the country. The school representatives also reported their learning outcomes during the Beijing visit to the guests.
Guests attending today's ceremony included Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Sun Shangwu; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa; the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms May Chan; the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai; the Convenor of the Working Group on Patriotic Education, Dr Eliza Chan; and other guests, as well as over 230 principals, teachers and students from tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools.
After the ceremony, the students visited the thematic exhibition. By learning about the great journey of 90 years ago, which traversed thousands of mountains and rivers and overcame countless obstacles, they experienced the spirit of firm conviction, fearlessness of sacrifice, close unity and arduous struggle demonstrated during the Long March, thereby nurturing their sense of patriotism, developing proper values and aspiring to contribute to the country.
The thematic exhibition "Unswerving Original Aspiration; Steadfast Conviction: The 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Red Army's Long March" is organised by the Education Bureau and co-organised by the Patriotic Education Centre. It features exhibits including interactive installations and oil paintings. The Centre also provides schools with guided tours, talks and learning activities. The exhibition is on display at the Patriotic Education Centre from today onwards for primary and secondary students across Hong Kong. Schools interested in visiting may apply through the Patriotic Education Centre. For details, please visit the Centre's website (www.hkpec.hk).
CE commends members of "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE commends members of "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE commends members of "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE commends members of "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE commends members of "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE commends members of "Salute to the National Flag" Beijing Visit Delegation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
