Hong Kong Customs seizes smuggled goods worth over $3 million
Hong Kong Customs on October 17 detected a suspected case of using an ocean-going vessel to smuggle goods to Pakistan at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals. A batch of suspected smuggled goods with an estimated market value of over $3 million was seized.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Strategic enforcement operations were formulated, with a suspicious container, scheduled to be shipped from Hong Kong to Pakistan via an ocean-going vessel and declared as containing mixed metal and used machinery, was selected for inspection.
On October 17, Customs officers examined the container at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals, and found a batch of suspected smuggled goods, including electronic goods, watches, cosmetic products and accessories, therein.
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling offences on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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).
Hong Kong Customs seizes smuggled goods worth over $3 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Appointments to Civil Service Training Advisory Board
The Government announced today (October 31) that the Chief Executive has made appointments and reappointments to the Civil Service Training Advisory Board (CSTAB). The appointments of members will be effective from November 1, 2024.
The new members appointed are Mr Albert Chow Hing-pong, Mrs Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi, and Dr Denis Yip Shing-fai, who will serve on the CSTAB for a term of three years, from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2027. Meanwhile, four incumbent non-official members have been reappointed for another term of two years, from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2026. Professor Wong Yuk-shan, an incumbent member, will take up the position of Chairman of the CSTAB.
Welcoming the new appointments and reappointments, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, "'The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address' has outlined various initiatives to strengthen civil service training to enhance the governance capabilities of the civil service. With Professor Wong's capable leadership and members' profound knowledge and experience in various fields, I have full confidence that the CSTAB will continue to provide valuable advice on civil service training and development, supporting the Civil Service College (CSC) to nurture a professional civil service dedicated to serving our country and Hong Kong."
The Government expresses its sincere gratitude to Dr Victor Fung Kwok-king, the outgoing Chairperson, for his contribution to leading the CSTAB in the past five years. Dr Fung has offered forward-looking recommendations on the long-term development strategy of the CSC, enabling it to strengthen civil service training and enhance the leadership capabilities and global perspectives of civil servants. The Government's gratitude is also extended to the other outgoing members, including Mr Raymund Chao Pak-ki, Ms Florence Chung Wai-yee, and Mr Peter Ho Siu-ping, for the strong support they rendered to the work of the CSTAB.
The CSTAB gives guidance on training for the civil service and the long-term development strategy of the CSC. The board comprises academics, human resource management experts, professionals with rich experience in public administration, and others.
The membership of the board from November 1, 2024, is as follows:
Chairman
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Professor Wong Yuk-shan
Vice-Chairman
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Secretary for the Civil Service
Non-official Members
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Ms Margaret Cheng Wai-ching
Ms Quince Chong Wai-yan
Mr Albert Chow Hing-pong
Ms Renee Ho Hang-yin
Mrs Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi
Mr Lee Luen-fai
Professor Richard Wong Yue-chim
Dr Denis Yip Shing-fai
Ex-officio Members
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Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service or representative
Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) or representative
Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry or representative
Permanent Secretary for Security or representative
