The Customs and Excise Department today (January 25) hosted a reception to mark the International Customs Day 2005. The theme for this year was "Customs and commercial fraud".
More than 300 guests, including the Vice-Chair of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia Pacific Region, Mr Gong Zheng, who is also the Vice Minister of the General Customs Administration of the People's Republic of China, Legislative Council Members, senior Government officials, Consuls-General, local dignitaries, foreign Customs attaches, and Customs representatives from the Mainland and Macau attended the reception at the Disciplined Services Sports and Recreation Club.
The Principal Guest for the occasion was the Financial Secretary, Mr Henry Tang.
Following the performances by the Customs Band and the Customs Detector Dog Unit, Mr Tang, accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose Lee; Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Commerce and Industry) Miss Denise Yue; Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Economic Development), Ms Sandra Lee; Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Stanley Ying; Mr Gong Zheng; and Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Timothy Tong, toasted for the International Customs day.
On the occasion, 15 officers of Hong Kong Customs were presented with the WCO certificates of merit for their significant contributions in combating commercial fraud.
WCO is an independent and inter-governmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. Since WCO's inception in 1952, the membership has now grown to 164. Hong Kong became a member of WCO in 1987.
Customs administrations worldwide hold annual ceremony in January to celebrate the establishment of the WCO.
Ends/Tuesday, January 25, 2005