The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, attended the passing-out parade of 22 Probationary Customs Inspectors and 60 Probationary Customs Officers on 6 February. All graduates marched in with Chinese-style foot drill to form the characters representing the National 15th Five-Year Plan and a pattern of a horse, symbolising that Hong Kong Customs will fully support the HKSAR Government in proactively aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, integrating into and contributing to the overall national development. The patterns also served as wishes of every success and prosperity for the country and Hong Kong in the Year of the Horse.
The Commissioner said in his speech that he was just as excited as the passing-out officers at the same parade ground 31 years ago. He reflected on the transformation of the department over the past three decades: the establishment of new control points, the expansion of the department's strength from over 3,000 to 7,600 officers, the broadening of Customs' role and mission, and the transition from paper-based operations to department-wide digitalisation with the incorporation of artificial intelligence. The Commissioner encouraged the graduates to stay curious, to pursue lifelong learning, to have the courage to step out of their comfort zones, and to embrace challenges in an ever-changing environment.
■The Commissioner inspects passing-out officers at the passing-out parade.
■The Commissioner delivers a speech at the passing-out parade.
■Passing-out officers march past the dais in Chinese-style foot drill.
■The parade forms the characters representing the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
