Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
Three incoming passengers were sentenced to six to eight months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 to $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 11) 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 three incoming Mainland male passengers, aged 43, 56 and 41, at Hong Kong International Airport on October 28 and yesterday (November 10) and seized a total of about 175 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $827,800 and a duty potential of about $581,700, from their personal baggage. The passengers were subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect 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).
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Research Grants Council hosts workshop and poster session to drive research excellence across local self-financing degree sector
The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
The Research Grants Council (RGC) today (November 11) held a workshop and poster session on the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing (SF) Degree Sector at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, bringing together more than 200 academics from across the sector.
Organised for academic and research staff of the SF sector, the workshop provides a valuable platform for participants to exchange insights and experiences on research innovations and achievements. It also serves to strengthen partnerships between the RGC and the SF sector, promote cross-institutional collaboration and interaction, and facilitate the sharing of successful research practices among participating institutions.
Speaking at the workshop's opening session, the Chairman of the RGC, Professor Timothy W. Tong said, "This year marks a defining milestone as Hong Kong actively implements the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) alongside the commencement of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The RGC is fully committed to working hand-in-hand with our higher education institutions to drive the development of Hong Kong into an international higher education hub as a strategic priority. In achieving our vision, the RGC is rigorously building a robust pipeline of research talent and strengthening our research support for them. By leveraging high impact research outcomes and nurturing young talent, the RGC is building a vibrant innovation ecosystem in sustaining the development of research excellence for Hong Kong."
The workshop featured faculty members who had successfully secured funding under the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector, sharing their first-hand experiences and insights into preparing competitive research proposals. In addition, the Chairman of the Assessment Panel for Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector, Professor Julie Li, together with panel members, provided observations and feedback on proposals submitted under the latest funding exercise. Concurrently, a poster session was organised to showcase the research achievements and societal impact of completed projects funded under the Faculty Development Scheme (FDS).
"Looking ahead, the RGC will remain steadfast in optimising our funding schemes to support the SF sector for greater academic excellence, in championing inter-institutional synergy, and translating research outcomes into tangible benefits for society," said Professor Tong.
The Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector aim at developing and raising the research capability of SF institutions and their faculty members. Since the launch of the research funding schemes in 2013, the RGC has funded close to 1100 projects with a total amount of more than $1 billion.
Details of the funding schemes are available on the RGC website:
FDS:
www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/fds/index.html;
Institutional Development Scheme (IDS) Collaborative Research Grant: www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ids_crg/index.html;
IDS Research Infrastructure Grant:
ww.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ids_rig/index.html; and
Inter-Institutional Development Scheme:
www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/iids/index.htm
Research Grants Council hosts workshop and poster session to drive research excellence across local self-financing degree sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Research Grants Council hosts workshop and poster session to drive research excellence across local self-financing degree sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
