Hong Kong 2026 Sports Events Awarded 'M' Mark Status for International Recognition

Major Sports Events Committee awards "M" Mark status to three events

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:

The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to the LI-NING Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2026 part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 (November 17 to 22), the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Hong Kong 2026 (November 28 to 29) and the Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2026 (November 30 to December 6).

The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (November 12), "We are very pleased to award 'M' Mark status to these three international sports events. The Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships will bring together top global badminton players to showcase their exquisite skills to compete for the highest honour; the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Hong Kong 2026 will once again offer fast-paced street basketball showdowns, capturing the attention of global fans; while the Hong Kong Squash Open, featuring a strong lineup of world-class players, will bring a thrilling spectating experience to the audiences. These events not only elevate Hong Kong's international image, but also highlight Hong Kong's outstanding capability in hosting world-class events."

The "M" Mark System aims to encourage and help local National Sports Associations and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events. The "M" Mark System aims to promote the development of major sports events, cultivate a sustainable sporting culture, enhance Hong Kong's image as a centre for major international sports events and bring tangible economic benefits to the community.

For details of "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.

Source: AI-found images

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

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 12) 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 an incoming 29-year-old Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on September 16 who arrived in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, and seized 30 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $123,000 and a duty potential of about $99,000. 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 duty-not-paid 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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases