The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs, Ms Sun Meijun, at Government House today (May 19) to exchange views on strengthening enforcement and co-operation between Hong Kong and Mainland Customs. Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Ms Sun and her delegation to Hong Kong to attend the World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference. He expressed his gratitude to the General Administration of Customs for supporting the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department in its bid for the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific region of the WCO (2024-2026), which was elected in June last year. Such an election not only reflects the support of the country and the Asia-Pacific region for Hong Kong but also consolidates Hong Kong's role as a "super-connector".
      
     Mr Lee also mentioned Ms Sun's presence at the signing ceremonies of co-operation documents between the General Administration of Customs and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, which aim to promote the safety and seamless flow of people and goods between the Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as co-operation on exporting Hong Kong dairy and meat products to the Mainland. These initiatives will enhance Hong Kong's position as an international trade and shipping centre, laying a solid foundation for further co-operation between Hong Kong and Mainland Customs.
      
     On enforcement co-operation, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Mainland Customs have been working together to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities and prevent and detect smuggling of contraband through various measures, including the exchange of intelligence and conducting joint operations. He said he hopes that Hong Kong and Mainland Customs in future can continue to maintain close co-operation on immigration and customs clearance, anti-smuggling and anti-drug trafficking, as well as trade facilitation.

Ends/Monday, May 19, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:15

NNNN