Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO

Hong kong customs elected vice-chairperson for asia/pacific region of world customs organization, aiming to lead development and strengthen international cooperation for the next two years

Hong Kong Customs, in the name of Hong Kong, China, was elected yesterday (June 29) as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific (A/P) region of the World Customs Organization (WCO) (2024-26).

The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, from June 27 to 29 led a delegation to attend the 143rd/144th Customs Co-operation Council Sessions of the WCO in Brussels. Upon election, she said it was an honour for Hong Kong Customs to take on this important role in leading the development of the A/P region. This is the second time since 2000 that Hong Kong, China has served as Vice-Chairman for the A/P region of the WCO, which is even more significant. The global economy has undergone tremendous changes over the past two decades, and the A/P region has become the region with the highest growth potential in the world in the 21st century. The role of Hong Kong Customs in representing the A/P region in the WCO is in line with the interests of the country and Hong Kong, both in terms of national strategy and Hong Kong's development opportunities. It is strategically significant for Hong Kong Customs to take the lead in promoting co-operation with the A/P region, which is conducive to promoting Hong Kong's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthening the collaboration among the country, Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. By playing this pivotal role, Hong Kong Customs hopes to safeguard multilateralism, promote international co-operation and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement in the region, thereby contributing to the development of the country and Hong Kong.

During the handover ceremony, Ms Ho commended Australia, the outgoing Vice-Chairperson A/P, for their outstanding work and remarkable achievements over the past two years. She expressed gratitude to all A/P members for their unanimous support and vote of confidence in Hong Kong Customs to take up this important position. Ms Ho affirmed that Hong Kong Customs would strive to strengthen co-operation among regional members and co-ordinate diversified activities according to the region's development needs.

In between the Council sessions, Ms Ho met with the Secretary General of the WCO, Mr Ian Saunders, and briefed him on the preparations for Hong Kong Customs' assumption of the vice-chairmanship, stressing that full preparations and deployment had been made for the work in the next two years. She also held a bilateral meeting with the Governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority of Saudi Arabia, Mr Suhail bin Muhammad Abanmi, to enhance mutual communication. Furthermore, Ms Ho actively engaged in dialogue exchange with heads of Customs administrations worldwide, including the Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security of the United Arab Emirates, Mr Ahmed Abdullah Bin Lahej Al Falasi; the Commissioner General of the Maldives Customs Service, Mr Yoosuf Maaniu Mohamed; the Director General of the Singapore Customs, Mr Tan Hung Hooi; the Commissioner of Bureau of Customs of the Republic of the Philippines, Mr Bienvenido Y Rubio; and the Director General of the Thai Customs Department, Mr Theeraj Athanavanich. They discussed the Customs Co-operative Arrangement, the Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement and co-operation in other aspects of Customs.

During the visit, Ms Ho and the delegation visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels.

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs officially assumes post of Vice-Chairperson for Asia/Pacific Region (2024-26) of WCO Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Sheto celebrates 27th anniversary of hksar with diverse events in shanghai, promoting hong kong's cultural charm and travel experiences

To celebrate the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO) unveiled a series of diverse events today (July 1) in Shanghai to encourage Mainland citizens to experience the joy of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

SHETO today held a reception at Zhang Yuan, a famous Shanghai-styled complex, to celebrate the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Some 130 representatives from relevant government departments, institutions, chambers of commerce, enterprises and Hong Kong groups in Shanghai attended the reception.

Delivering a speech at the reception, the Director of SHETO, Mrs Laura Aron, said the ties between Shanghai and Hong Kong have been strong over the past years. The Sixth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Conference was held in Hong Kong in April this year, where consensus was reached on further measures in 15 co-operation areas. A total of 20 co-operation agreements were signed by government departments and relevant organisations. The successful conference marked a new milestone and created new opportunities for Shanghai-Hong Kong co-operation.

Mrs Aron thanked the Shanghai Municipal Government for its high regard for Shanghai-Hong Kong co-operation over the years, as well as for its continuous support of Hong Kong and SHETO.

The reception also featured performances by several emerging young Hong Kong artists, showcasing the charm of Hong Kong's diverse cultural offerings through performances of Cantonese opera and a string quartet.

SHETO also organised an exhibition at Zhang Yuan with the theme of "Fun in Hong Kong", promoting Hong Kong's diversity and fresh new travel experiences to visitors to implement the concept of "tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong". The exhibition featured various interactive games for the public to experience and feel Hong Kong in different forms. These included using generative artificial intelligence technology to create Hong Kong-themed characters, location identification based on sounds, simulating a tram tour of Hong Kong, and more, all designed to arouse people's interest in visiting Hong Kong and experiencing it first-hand.

The exhibition also presented a calendar of over 100 major events in Hong Kong for the second half of the year, including cultural and artistic events, sports activities, conferences and exhibitions, financial and economic initiatives, festivals and celebrations, and performances in various fields. Additionally, a dedicated area was set up to introduce Hong Kong's various talent schemes, welcoming talent and professionals from different industries and sectors to develop, work, and settle in Hong Kong.

The exhibition is open to the public from today until July 7 (Sunday) on the first floor of Building W7, Zhang Yuan, Shanghai. Admission is free.

SHETO also collaborated with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to showcase the latest tourism features of Hong Kong by dressing up two sightseeing trams in Shanghai's bustling Nanjing East Road pedestrian mall. These cars will shuttle along the street until July 31. Visitors from around the world and Mainland China can obtain the latest travel information about Hong Kong while experiencing the urban landscape of Shanghai during the ride.

SHETO will continue to hold exhibitions, cultural performances, youth activities, and economic and trade seminars in the East China region (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Shandong provinces) to comprehensively promote Hong Kong to Mainland audiences. Members of the public can learn more details on SHETO's official WeChat account.

SHETO organises diversified events in Shanghai to celebrate 27th anniversary of HKSAR establishment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SHETO organises diversified events in Shanghai to celebrate 27th anniversary of HKSAR establishment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SHETO organises diversified events in Shanghai to celebrate 27th anniversary of HKSAR establishment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SHETO organises diversified events in Shanghai to celebrate 27th anniversary of HKSAR establishment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SHETO organises diversified events in Shanghai to celebrate 27th anniversary of HKSAR establishment Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases