Chief Executive John Lee today met Minister of the General Administration of Customs Sun Meijun at Government House to discuss strengthening enforcement and co-operation between Hong Kong and Mainland Customs.
Ms Sun and her delegation are in Hong Kong to attend the World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference.
Welcoming them, Mr Lee thanked the General Administration of Customs for supporting the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department in its bid for the Vice-Chairpersonship of the Asia/Pacific region of the WCO (2024-2026).
He said the successful election last June not only reflects the support Hong Kong enjoys at a national level and from the Asia-Pacific region, but also consolidates the city’s role as a “super-connector”.
While in Hong Kong, Ms Sun will also to attend signing ceremonies for co-operation agreements between the General Administration of Customs and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. These aim to promote flows of people and goods between the two places, as well as co-operation on exports of Hong Kong dairy and meat products to the Mainland.
The Chief Executive said 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 long been working together to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities and prevent and detect smuggling of contraband.
He said he hopes Hong Kong and Mainland Customs can in future maintain close co-operation on immigration and customs clearance, anti-smuggling and anti-drug trafficking activities, and trade facilitation.
