As an important financial and trading centre in the world, Hong Kong has been playing an active role in the protection of intellectual property.

The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said this today at the passing-out parade of the Customs and Excise Training School.

Mr Tung noted that after the establishment of the Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong continued to function effectively as a separate customs territory under the existing trading systems and committed itself to the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" concept.

"The Customs and Excise Department undertakes a wide range of responsibilities, including revenue collection, anti-narcotics and anti-smuggling work, protection of intellectual property rights and consumer interests, trade facilitation as well as trade controls," he said.

The Department, which is also responsible for all operation for the detection of pirated and counterfeit goods, works closely with overseas law-enforcers as well as trademark and copyright owners in its fight against acts of infringement.

"The service of the Department in recent years has been outstanding particularly in the area of protection of copyright and trademarks," he noted.

Mr Tung told the officers at the parade that he was confident that they would continue to step up their action in combating piracy and counterfeiting for the protection of intellectual property rights.

"I am also pleased to note that your Department is in process of modernisation in areas such as information technology and human resources management. New computer systems are being installed. Equipment has been upgraded for greater safety and better duty performance," Mr Tung said.

He noted that arrangements have also been made for the building of new customs launches and that Customs Headquarters building was on the drawing board.

"All these point to the fact that the Department is a progressive and forward-looking organisation, moving forward into a new era and will continue to play an important role in the Special Administrative Region," Mr Tung concluded.

Thirty-one probationary inspectors and 106 probationary Customs officers took part in the parade today.