Commissioner of Customs and Excise reviews Hong Kong Customs passing-out parade

Hong kong customs commissioner inspects passing-out parade for new customs officers, demonstrates commitment to world customs organization vice-chairperson role

The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, attended the Passing-out Parade for the 492nd-495th Customs Officer Induction Courses at the Hong Kong Customs College today (July 5) to inspect 82 Probationary Customs Officers on parade. Among the passing-out officers, eight are members of Customs YES.

The Guards of Honour and all passing-out officers adopted the Chinese-style foot drill to form the logo of the World Customs Organization (WCO), demonstrating Hong Kong Customs' commitment to becoming the new Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific (A/P) region of the WCO starting from July this year. The Foot Drill and Flag Party of the Customs Youth Leader Corps, the first team under the Security Bureau to perform Chinese-style rifle foot drill, also made its debut in the Passing-out Parade, joining hands with the Guards of Honour and passing-out officers to form the pattern of the Tiananmen Tower to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. This arrangement demonstrated that the patriotic spirit of Hong Kong Customs can continue to be passed on from generation to generation.

Speaking at the passing-out parade, Ms Ho said under the protection of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong Customs will steadfastly safeguard national security and strive to promote the country and Hong Kong towards high-quality development, actively expand international exchanges and co-operation, and make full use of Hong Kong's distinctive advantages under "one country, two systems", enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world.

She added that Hong Kong Customs, in the name of Hong Kong, China, was elected as the Vice-Chairperson for the A/P region of the WCO at the Customs Co-operation Council Sessions of the WCO in Brussels on June 29, and formally assumed this role as regional representative for two years from July. The primary responsibilities of this role include driving regional development agendas, co-ordinating regional affairs, leading members in addressing various challenges and facilitating the formulation and implementation of regional strategic plans. By playing this pivotal role, Hong Kong Customs hopes to safeguard multilateralism and promote international co-operation, enhance the effectiveness in regional law enforcement, and strengthen the capability of Hong Kong Customs by proposing the agenda and collaboration means to contribute to the country and Hong Kong.

Talking about recruitment, Ms Ho pointed out that the response to this year's recruitment of Customs Inspectors has been encouraging, with more than 8 400 applications received, up 12 per cent from last year's 7 500. For Customs Officers, more than 5 300 applications were received in the first half of this year, representing an increase of 20 per cent over the 4 400 applications received in the same period last year. As Hong Kong Customs plays a more prominent role in the international arena after assuming the post of Vice-Chairperson for the A/P region of the WCO, it is believed that more young people who wish to broaden their horizons will be attracted to join Hong Kong Customs to realise their full potential.

Ms Ho encouraged the passing-out officers to carry forward the goal of creating "a new chapter of Asia-Pacific customs collaboration", to strive to provide diverse and quality customs services, and to make full use of Hong Kong Customs' unique advantages in regional co-operation to make significant new contributions to the country and to Hong Kong.

Commissioner of Customs and Excise reviews Hong Kong Customs passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise reviews Hong Kong Customs passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise reviews Hong Kong Customs passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise reviews Hong Kong Customs passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise reviews Hong Kong Customs passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise reviews Hong Kong Customs passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise reviews Hong Kong Customs passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Chief executive of hong kong visits sichuan to discuss arrival of giant pandas and strengthen cooperation with province leaders

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and his wife, Mrs Janet Lee, began the visit programme in Sichuan today (July 8), visiting the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda to deliberate on and understand the overall arrival arrangements of the pair of giant pandas gifted to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by the Central Government, and meeting with leaders of Sichuan Province.

In the morning, Mr Lee, accompanied by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, toured the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda to visit giant pandas, including the pair of giant pandas to be gifted to Hong Kong, and understand details of the arrival arrangements of the giant pandas. The officers of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the centre gave a thorough briefing to the delegation on the work in rearing, caring and conserving giant pandas, as well as the latest development on giant panda research. The delegation will bring back the precious experience to Hong Kong to further enhance the conservation of giant pandas in Hong Kong.

Mr Lee expressed his sincere gratitude to the Central Government for gifting another pair of giant pandas to the HKSAR, which fully demonstrates its care and support for the city. He also expressed his thanks to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and the Sichuan Province for the arrangements and assistance they rendered on the matter. Noting that Hong Kong people are looking forward to the arrival of the giant pandas, Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government will endeavour to make good preparations to welcome the giant pandas.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee and the delegation visited the Sichuan HKJC Olympic School and exchanged with the students. Mr Lee said he was delighted to see that the school has now become a key training base of competitive sports in Sichuan and a significant platform for youth exchanges between Sichuan and Hong Kong.

The two facilities were reconstruction projects participated by the HKSAR after the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. Mr Lee noted that the HKSAR Government and various sectors actively participated in the rescue work and post-earthquake reconstruction of the Wenchuan earthquake, fully demonstrating the spirit of "when trouble occurs at one spot, help comes from all quarters" and compatriotism. He was pleased to see the successful development of the facilities, which have become important bridges for fostering people-to-people bonds between the two places.

In the evening, Mr Lee met with the Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Xiaohui, and attended a dinner hosted by the Sichuan Province. Noting that Hong Kong has been the largest source of foreign direct investment in Sichuan for many years, Mr Lee said the relationship between Sichuan and Hong Kong has always been close. The Hong Kong/Sichuan Co-operation Conference mechanism has seen steady development since its establishment in 2018. With the opening of the high-speed railway directly connecting Chengdu and Hong Kong in July last year, the distance between Sichuan and Hong Kong has been further shortened, he added. Mr Lee said he hopes that Sichuan and Hong Kong will continue to strengthen co-operation and he welcomes Sichuan citizens to visit the giant pandas and travel to Hong Kong in the future, sharing laughter and joy together.

Mr Lee will continue his visit programme in Sichuan tomorrow (July 9) and return to Hong Kong in the evening.

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE: HKSAR Government endeavours to make good preparations to welcome giant pandas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases