Hong Kong Customs celebrates 2020 International Customs Day (with photos)

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     Officiated by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang, a reception in celebrating the 2020 International Customs Day (ICD) was held by Hong Kong Customs at the Customs Headquarters Building today (January 20).

     This year, the World Customs Organization (WCO) devotes ICD to the theme of "Customs fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet", which aims at ensuring a sustainable future where social, economic and environmental elements are at the centre of Customs actions.

     Officiating at the reception, Mr Chan said that Hong Kong Customs is making considerable contributions to combat illegal activities and to provide a safe and stable environment for the people of Hong Kong. Without Customs’ collective efforts, illegal drugs, endangered species, counterfeit products and other illicit goods would seriously damage our community. Hong Kong Customs also plays a pivotal role in facilitating trade and promoting our economy.

     In his remarks, Mr Tang elaborated the close relationship between Hong Kong Customs' work and the theme of this year's ICD along three concepts: "People", "Prosperity" and "Planet". The work includes people-oriented enforcement and crime prevention operations, trade facilitation measures to bring prosperity, and anti-smuggling of endangered species to conserve the earth.

     He expressed that the three concepts are in line with the notion of "community with a shared future for mankind" while the Belt and Road Initiative serves as a platform to build the community.

     Hong Kong Customs has celebrated the ICD since Hong Kong became a member of the WCO in 1987. At the reception, Mr Chan presented WCO Certificates of Merit to officers of Hong Kong Customs and private stakeholders in recognition of their remarkable efforts contributing to sustainable development.

     About 350 guests, including Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, HKSAR Government officials, Consuls General, foreign Customs attachés, representatives from Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macao, as well as private stakeholders, attended the reception.

Ends/Monday, January 20, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:22

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The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (ninth right), and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang (ninth left), propose a toast at the 2020 International Customs Day reception today (January 20). Joining them are the Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Zhao Jiankai (eighth right); the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, Senior Colonel Bao Weizhong (eighth left); the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung (seventh right); the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau (seventh left); the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mr Philip Yung (sixth right); the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Sonny Au (sixth left); the Deputy Director-General of the Police Liaison Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Deng Zhaofeng (fifth right); the Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department and Head of Commercial Office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Liu Yajun (fifth left); the Deputy Director-General of the Guangdong Sub-administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, Ms Cheng Kaiyu (fourth right); the Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Man Chong (fourth left); and the directorate of Hong Kong Customs.

A reception in celebrating the 2020 International Customs Day was held by Hong Kong Customs at the Customs Headquarters Building today (January 20). Photo shows the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaking at the reception.