Thirty Customs officers attended "Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Course on Capacity Building to Prevent Illegal Trafficking of Cultural Heritage", which was jointly organised by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and Hong Kong Customs for the first time in Xian in mid-July this year to learn about the national cultural heritage conservation work.
The course aimed at strengthening the capability of the Department to deter and combat smuggling of cultural heritage. It covered topics including identification of cultural heritage, relevant legislation and enforcement strategies in the Mainland. Upon completion of the course, the 30 participants will become members of the National Cultural Heritage Identification Team of Hong Kong Customs and be responsible for supporting other frontline officers in identifying and handling national cultural heritage.
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, and the Deputy Commissioner (Control and Enforcement) of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, attended the opening and closing ceremonies of the course respectively.
■The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho (second right), and the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, Mr Li Qun (second left), attend the opening ceremony.
■Customs officers learn how to identify cultural heritage.
