The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Timothy Tong, is leading a nine-member delegation to attend the 2003 Annual Review Meeting between Customs General Administration (CGA) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and HKSAR Customs and Excise Department in Beijing yesterday and today (January 12 and 13).
The 11-member delegation of the Customs General Administration of PRC is headed by its Deputy Commissioner, Mr Gong Zheng.
In the two-day meeting, both parties reviewed their work and achievements in the past year, and set joint goals for the coming year.
In the meeting, Hong Kong Customs also gave an in-depth introduction to Customs' cargo control measures after the implementation of the "Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), and mutual co-operation over the rules of origin system and the implementation of the Container Security Initiative in Hong Kong.
The delegates also shared their experiences in joint efforts in law enforcement, including the crackdown on smuggling of illicit cigarettes and fuel, and cross-boundary drug trafficking.
Both parties said that the implementation of CEPA had been smooth and satisfactory. They would work closely to conduct more joint operations to clamp down on cross-boundary smuggling.
They also looked ahead at their plans for co-operation in the coming year, including the strengthening of training activities for officers from the two Customs departments, and the holding of seminars on training and international co-operation.
Before departing from Beijing for Shanghai on January 14, the Hong Kong Customs delegation will take part in the opening ceremony of the Asia Pacific Region's Intelligence Liaison Centre this evening.
In Shanghai, the Hong Kong Customs delegation will visit the Shanghai Customs, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Express Mail Control Centre, and Waigaoqiao Customs Container Inspection Facilities.
The Hong Kong Customs delegation will return to Hong Kong on Friday (January 16).
Ends/Tuesday, January 13, 2004