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Customs NewsCustoms News2003 SEPTEMBER • ISSUE NO.23

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Senior officers promoted

ommissioner RaymondWong presented promotion letters to three senior officers at the Senior Officers' Mess onMay23 and July 4, 2003 respectively. Lawrence Wong was promoted Deputy Commissioner, Chan Hon-kit to chief

Superintendent and NgWai-ming to senior Superintendent.

Office of Service Administration

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The Government announced the appointmento f Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu as the

Commissioner of ICAC on August 4. On his last twodays at the Customs, Mr Wong visited a number offormations to bid farewell to colleagues.

The Mess Committee of the Customs and ExciseSenior Officers' Mess held a farewell cocktail receptionon August 6 for MrWong to wish himwell on his newposting.

Speaking at the reception, Mr Wong said he wasdeeply impressedwith his colleagues' professionalismand enthusiastic working attitude. He told them, "It isforevermy honour and pride to haveworkedwith you."

He praised colleagues in the Department for theirtremendous achievements made on various fronts,including Customs clearance efficiency, combatingactivities of smuggling, piracy and counterfeiting, illicit cigarettes, illicit fuel, dangerous drugs and illegal textile transshipment,controlling the import and export of strategic commodities as well as protecting consumer's interest.

Farewell Reception forex-Commissioner RaymondWong

Deputy Commissioner Chief Superintendent Senior SuperintendentLawrenceWong Sau-pui Chan Hon-kit NgWai-ming

Acting Commissioner LawrenceWong presenting a souvenir toex-Commissioner RaymondWong.

In an asset-sharing Cheque Presentation Ceremony held on July 17,2003, Secretary for SecurityMrs Regina Ip received a cheque in the amount

of US$2,898,755 from US Consul General for Hong Kong and Macau,Mr James Keith.

The cheque presentation marked the success of the joint effort betweenHong Kong and the US law enforcement authorities in combatingtransnational drug trafficking and money laundering activities. It reflectedHong Kong's contribution towards a nine years' joint investigation with theUSauthorities in crushing amajormarijuana trafficking andmoney launderingring.

The joint investigation had been undertaken by the Financial InvestigationGroup of the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau with the US DrugEnforcement Administration Hong Kong Country Office since 1994. Duringthe course of investigation, the mastermind was successfully arrested inHong Kong and subsequently extradited to the US to stand trial. Based on

the investigation findings, the US authorities was able to trace and confiscate the drug-related assets of the syndicateand the head of the syndicate was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.

Customs Drug Investigation Bureau

ommissioner RaymondWong and Superintendent SamLui attended the 101st/102nd Council Sessions of the

World Customs Organization (WCO) at the WCOHeadquarters in Brussels, Belgium between June 26 and28, 2003.

The meeting discussed various global Customs issues,including the implementation of the WCO Resolution onSecurity and Facilitation of the International Supply Chain;Customs Capacity Building Strategy; WCO e-LearningProgramme; Revised Arusha Declaration on Integrity; andtheWCO Strategic Plan for 2003/04 to 2005/06.

Panel discussions on two topical issues of strategicimportance to Customs, namely, "Security and Facilitation"and "Two Months before WTO Ministerial Conference inCancun", were also held.

During the meeting, Mr Michel Danet of France was re-elected the Secretary General and will serve for the WCOfor another five years (January 2004 to December 2008).Mr Christicles Mwansa of Zambia was elected the Directorfor the Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate.

Customs Liaison Bureau

HK/US share proceeds in drug trafficking

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ssistant Superintendent Frankie Cheung Yun-ping ofthe Drug Investigation (Import and Export) Division

participated in a four-weekworking attachment to the JointAsian Crime Group (JACG) of the Australian Federal Police(AFP) in Sydney fromMay 5, 2003.

The attachment was sponsored by theLaw Enforcement Co -opera t ionProgramme of the AFP which aims tosupport the AFP's offshore disruptionof transnational organised crimegroups.

The attachment provided anopportunity for the participant tostudy the multi-agency approach ofthe JACG in tackling the problem ofserious organised crimes in NewSouth Wales, Australia. Besides, theAFP also made arrangements for the

participants to visit operational and investigative facilitiesof other Australian law enforcement agencies.

The attachment provided an excellent networkingopportunity for both agencies and enriched the participant's

working experience.

Customs Drug Investigation Bureau

(From left) Assistant Superintendent FrankieCheung; Assistant Director of Investigationsof the AFP, Tim O'Connor; Commissioner ofthe New SouthWales Crime CommissionMrPABradley; and Chief Inspector of Hong KongPolice Mr Lam Chi-ming.

Working attachment to AFP

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Commissioner attendsWCO Council Sessions

Secretary for Security Mrs Regina Ip receivingthe cheque from theUSConsul General for HongKong andMacau, Mr James Keith.

attended a two-week Control Tactics Instructor Certification Course in Philadelphia,the US from April 7 to 18, 2003.

The course was very comprehensive. It included classroom theory session andoutdoor practical session. The course content included empty-handed control skills, useof handcuffs, baton andOleoresin Capsicum, and other tactics. Real police cars, detentioncells and courtroomwere used in the practical session at the end of the course.

I found that the course was very valuable and beneficial to my current post as aninstructor of the Skills Training Unit in the Training School. I hope I could apply what Ihave learnt and share those skills with my colleagues in the future.

Inspector Alan Lam Chak-lunCustoms and Excise Training School

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ommissionerRaymondWongsignedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)with Government Chemist Dr David G Clarke onMay 29, 2003

with a view to enhancing co-operation.

The Customs and the Government Laboratory have all along beenmaintaining a close working relationship. The signing of the MOU putthe longhistoryof co-operationbetween the twoDepartmentsona strongerfoothold.

TheMOU is not merely a steering document that spells out the termsof working arrangement between the two Departments, it also outlinesthe practical ways through which the two Departments can assist eachother in achieving common goals for the betterment of performancestandards and provision of quality service to the public.

The Government Chemist, Dr David G Clarke, welcomed the MOU by remarking that "there is a need to establish afirm and well-defined basis on which both Departments can contribute their efforts to assist each other in achieving theircommon goals for the benefit of the public as a whole."

Commissioner RaymondWong said, "The public has high expectations on the performance of the Government and Iam confident that the signing of the MOU together with the concerted efforts that follow will enable us to better meetpublic expectations."

Office of Management Services

Customs signs MOUwith Government Laboratory

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Empty-handed control tacticspracticewith aProbationOfficer fromPhiladephia.

Commissioner Raymond Wong and GovernmentChemist Dr David G Clarke exchanging theMemorandum of Understanding.

Assistant Superintendent Koon Hon-chuen (left) with Treasury AccountantCliff Tse in the UK.

Assistant Superintendent Koon Hon-chuen and Treasury Accountant Cliff Tse paid avisit to the UK Customs and Excise between June 23 and 27, 2003.

The purpose of the visit was to gain a better understanding of the Registered DealersinControlledOils Schemenewly introducedby theUKCustomsand share their experiencesof conducting system based audit on open-bondwarehouses and oil companies.

During the visit, theymet their UK Customs counterparts atManchester and Liverpooland discussed with them various excise control matters. They attached to an audit teamin conducting verification check on a liquor manufacturer. They also observed how averification team conducted verification visit to an oil dealer.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity for them to exchange views and shareexperiences with the UK Customs on practices and knowledge on excise controls andsystem based audit of warehouses and oil companies.

Office of Dutiable Commodities Administration

Control Tactics Course in the US

Visit to the UK Customs

Following the signing of the Declaration of Principlesof Container Security Initiative (CSI) on September

23, 2002, Hong Kong Customs and the US Customsand Border Protection jointly started implementing theCSI Pilot Scheme in Hong Kong onMay 12, 2003. Afterthree months' co-operation, the two administrationshave secured a close working relationship.

The US Commissioner, Mr Robert Bonner, visitedHong Kong between July 31 and August 2 to see forhimself the implementation of the CSI Pilot Scheme inHong Kong.

AccompaniedbySenior Superintendent of Ports andMaritime Command (PMC)Wong Ching-lim,Mr Bonnertoured the Kwai Chung Customhouse on August 1. Hewas also briefed about the implementation of the CSIPilot Scheme and the organisation and function of thePMC.Mr Bonnerwas especially interested in theMobileX-ray Vehicle Scanning System.

Mr Bonner expressed that he was "struck by thecamaraderie and friendship" among theHongKong and

US CSI team members. He was also impressed by the smooth implementation of the CSI in Hong Kong. With the participationof Hong Kong in the CSI project, 10 per cent of all sea containers headed to the US are now under the CSI blanket.

Ports andMaritime Command

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ome of us may be unfamiliar with the revised KyotoConvention, which is administered by the World

Customs Organization (WCO) and, in its full name,International Convention on the Simplification andHarmonization of Customs Procedures. For the past fewyears, the Department has been doing preparatory workwith a view to acceding to the revised Convention, which,as its name implies, aims to simplify andharmoniseCustomsprocedures to facilitate international trade.

What will be the benefits to the HKSAR if the territorybecomes a Contracting Party to the revised Convention?The benefits are in various respects - reaffirming to theworldthatHongKonghas ahighdegreeof autonomyas a separateCustoms territory, gaining favourable reciprocal treatmentfrom other Contracting Parties and attracting more foreigninvestment.

The revised Convention incorporates various sets ofmodern Customs procedures and practices, such asadoption of simplified procedures and audit-based controlsystem; application of risk management and informationtechnology; use of pre-arrival information to driveprogrammes of selectivity; partnership approach betweenCustoms and trading communities; andmaking informationreadily available to the public on Customs laws, proceduresand practices to increase transparency. These modern

procedures and practices will surely help enhance theefficiency and image of the Department.

A Departmental Working Group (WG), comprisingrepresentatives from variousMajor Formations, was set upin December 1999 to examine the revised Conventionmeticulously so as to verify whether or not the legislations,working procedures and practices the Department wasenforcing and adopting were compatible with it, and tomake recommendations as appropriate. Taking its owninitiative, theWGhad sought advice from theWCO, overseasCustoms counterparts, foreign experts, Bureaux andDepartment of Justice.

The WG completed the study in October 2002 andconcluded that the HKSAR should accede to the revisedConvention and that therewas no need for the Departmentto introduce any legislative amendment. The WG hassubmitted the StudyReport to theCommissioner andHeadsofMajor Formations for comments. The next step is to seekpolicy support for the accession.

Senior Inspector Chan Tat-wahWorking Group of the revised Kyoto Convention

Working Group of revised Kyoto Convention

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Commissioner Bonner visits Kwai Chung Customhouse

Commissioner Bonner (front row third from left) and the US Consul General forHong Kong andMacau,Mr James Keith (front row fourth from left), with the HongKong and US CSI teammembers.

The capacities of the three existing vehicular boundarycrossings between HKSAR and Shenzhen at Lok Ma

Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok are approachingsaturation. To cater for the increasing cross-boundary trafficdemand, a fourth one, ShenzhenWestern Corridor (SWC),is now under construction and is scheduled for completionby the end of 2005.

The Government plans to implement co-locationarrangement for both passenger and cargo clearance atthe new control point at SWC. Co-location will streamlineprocedures and save passengers' time. With such anarrangement, coach passengers will only have to get onand off once instead of twice in going through clearanceprocedures.

With the authorisation of the Central People'sGovernment, a Hong Kong Management Area within theco-location site at Shekou will be earmarked and bemanaged by HKSAR according to its laws. Operationally,each side will conduct its own Immigration and Customsexaminations in accordance with its laws and regulationswith a buffer area in between, i.e. the existing modusoperandi will be basically followed. The respectivemanagement areas of the two sides will not overlap so asto avoid any confusion or vacuum in jurisdiction.

The new control point at SWC is composed of low-risebuildings and other ancillary structures. Cargo processing

facilities include 32 kiosks, 25 goods vehicle inspectionplatforms and one x-ray system per inbound and outbounddirection; whereas the passenger clearance facilitiescomprise passenger clearance halls and four and twoCustoms inspection cubicles in inbound and outbounddirections respectively. Besides, therewould be private carsand coach kiosks on each direction to provide Immigrationand Customs clearance services. To enable staff's passagebetween kiosks, overhead canopy, walkways andconnecting link footbridges would be built.

Accommodation spacewill also be reserved at the SWCfor seven Government Departments. They include offices,fire station-cum-ambulance depot, police reporting centre,detained goods store, staff canteen, barracks, changingand amenity facilities, electrical and mechanical servicesworkshops and carparking spaces.

The whole site where the boundary-crossing facilitiesof the two sides will be co-located is being reclaimed atShekou by relevant Shenzhen authorities. The reclamationworks are expected to be completed by aroundmid-2004.

Control Points Command

Co-location arrangement atShenzhenWestern Corridor

ssistant Commissioner William Chow Oi-tung receivedcommendatory plaques from Adidas and the Hong Kong

Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (HKAPI) on June 18,2003 in recognition of Hong Kong Customs' effort ofenforcement against counterfeiting. On the same occasion,acting Head of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau,Liu Cheung-shing also received tokens of appreciation fromthe HKAPI.

At the ceremony,Mr Chow reiterated Hong Kong Customs'determination to clamp down on all forms of criminalinfringement activities. The Department's persistentenforcement action over the years has put piracy under control.

Equally, the Department accorded vigorous enforcementefforts to fighting trademark counterfeiting. In 2002, theCustoms detected 848 cases involving goods bearing forgedtrade marks and false trade descriptions. The total quantity of

seizure reached 7.5 million pieces with an estimated value of$205million. In the first five months of 2003, the Departmenthas already cracked 288 cases in its anti-counterfeitingoperations, and netted some six million pieces of counterfeitgoods, with a total value of around $95million.

On concluding, Mr Chow underlined the importance of co-operation between the Customs and the intellectual propertyrights (IPR) industry. He thanked the industry for the continuoussupport and assistance to the Department and appealed tothem to work closely with the Customs in protecting IPR.

Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau

Customs commended by IPR industry

Assistant Commissioner William Chow Oi-tung receiving thecommendatory plaque from Adidas.

ActingHeadof the Intellectual Property InvestigationBureauLiuCheung-shing pictured with members of the HKAPI.

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ince its setting up in February this year, the MarineEnforcement Group (MEG) has detected 24 sea

smuggling cases, each carrying seizure value of over $1million. One of the cases, cracked in July, involved the useof three containers to smuggle$40millionworth of cargoes,includingVCDs, vehicles, electronicAVproducts andmedicalequipment to the Mainland.

To a large extent, the successful enforcement actionsresulted from the re-organisation exercise in February; theflexible deployment of uniformed and plainclothes officersand high speed pursuit crafts; and the effective conduct ofintelligence-led operations on land and at sea.

To attain functional alignment, the Department has

placed the responsibility for combating smuggling activitiesat sea previously assumed by the Ship Search and CargoCommand (SSCC) and the Marine and Land EnforcementCommand (MLEC) under one single formation, the PortsandMaritime Command (PMC).

As one of the executive arms of PMC, the newlyestablishedMEG is chartered with the major responsibilityof conducting anti-smuggling enforcement action at sea.Headed by a Superintendent, it has an establishment of364 officers including both uniformed officers andplainclothes investigators.

At its base on the Stonecutters Island, the Group has afleet of 20 launches and crafts of different types, includingsix sector patrol launches, two shallow water launches,eight inflatable boats, and four high speed pursuit craftswith a maximum pursuit speed of 49 knots per hour.Complemented by three Marine Investigation Units and aJoint Task Force, officers carry out deterrent patrols andinterceptions over the 1 652 km2 territorial waters withinthe boundary round-the-clock.

Not only did the re-organisation facilitate the formulationof a holistic andunified strategy in combating sea smugglingactivities, it also substantially increased the flexibility in thedeploymentof resources tomeetdifferent operational needs.

Ports andMaritime Command

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he Information Systems Strategy Study (ISSS) wasconcluded in April 2003. It recommends an overall

information system (IS) strategy to support the envisagedfuture business environment of the Customs with a view totransforming the Department into an intelligence-drivenorganisation, providing better riskmanagement for operationwhile increasing electronically- based services and informationto partners and the public.

The study also recommends a series of computer projectsunder an IT plan for the Department in the coming years andthe establishment of an IT Management Unit to oversee theimplementation of the recommended projects.

Pilot Accessibility Programme

The Pilot Accessibility Programme (PAP) is a programmein relation to the e2-Government initiative outlined in thePolicy Address 2001 to provide Government employeeswithworkstations and standard office system facilities. Theprogramme not only facilitates the access to Governmentinformationbut alsopromotesGovernment-to-Employee (G2E)andGovernment-to-Government (G2G) electronic applications.Because of our high degree of readiness, the Customs was

chosenasoneof the five pilotDepartments in this programme.

Upon the successful rollout of PAP on June 16, 2003, theaccessibility of IT facilities has further expanded to cover allCustomsOfficer Grade andGeneral and CommonGrade staffin theDepartment. About 3 400 staff of the Department havebenefited from this project.

All users can nowmakeuse of the82 Infostations installedat various locations to gain access to Government intranetmails, Electronic Filing System (EFS), Government intranetinformation and Internet browsing.

With the implementation of PAP, it will not only set up awell-established electronic communication platform for allstaff in the Department but also pave way for theimplementation of a Departmental portal to handle majorG2E applications such as Electronic Leave Application andProcessing System, e-Payroll, e-Passage and e-Housingservices in the near future.

Office of Information Technology

ISSS recommends an overall IS strategy

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MEG gives a heavy blow to smugglers

Customs fleet.

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he application of intelligence plays an important rolein modern day law enforcement work. In response to this

trend, a Logistics Support Team has been set up in the newlyestablished IntelligenceBureau (IB) to provide technical supportfor frontline investigators during the course of intelligencecollection. The team provides technical support to theIntelligence Verification Division, the Intelligence CoordinationDivision and the Control Points Investigation Division.

Since its establishment in July 2, 2002, we have alreadyprocured various types of surveillance equipment, includingCCD-Telescope, Portable SurveillanceMonitoring Device, HighPower Night Observation Scope. To meet different situations,we have also tailor-made a wide range of concealed pinholecameras to cater for the needs arising from long timesurveillance and intelligence collection.

In order to achieve the aim of reinforcement on intelligence-led operations, we are also promoting our services to otherinvestigation bureaux by conducting demonstrations on thespecial equipment that we have assembled. We haveestablished a communication channel with investigators ofother Formations. Many of them are now using the specialistequipment assembled by the team. Apart from these, with thearrangement of the Higher Training Division, we also providesimilar demonstrations for participants of theBasic InvestigationCourse with the hope that they will have a thoroughunderstanding of our supporting service.

We strive to know from frontline officers their need fortechnical serviceswith a view to developingmore sophisticatedequipment to meet their requirements, thus enabling ourinvestigators to fight crime at their best.

Logistic Support TeamIntelligence Bureau

Logistics Support Team set up in IB

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Statistical Unit revampsdepartmental statistical report

Driven by changes in the operational environment, organisational setting and expansion of responsibilities of theDepartment in recent years, the Statistics Unit, with the support of the Major Formations, has comprehensively

reviewed the central statistical systemof theDepartment so as to build a system that canmonitor departmental performancemore effectively and illustrate achievements more precisely. The system also allows the senior management to draw ona wealth of information on performance trends for developing strategic plans more accurately.

A totally revamped statistical report - "Customs Performance and Achievements" - based on an intensive analysis ofdepartmental needs is nowmonthly published by the Statistics Unit. It consists of four parts:

* Part 1: Customs in Figures - presents high level statistical snapshots of the whole Department;* Part 2: Key Result Areas - offers detailed analysis of departmental performance in five programme areas;* Part 3: PerformanceMeasurement - depicts performance targets and indicators as published in the Controlling Officer's

Report; and* Part 4: Achievements in Major Formations - provides analysis of Major Formations' performance down to the divisional

level.

The statistical report would be uploaded onto the Management Support Team folder of the Electronic Filing System(EFS) every month. A subject guide has also been incorporated in the latest edition to enable ease and fast statisticalresearches. Formations aremostwelcome to offer comments to the Statistician or the Assistant Staff Officer (ManagementSupport Unit 1) on ways to further enhance the quality of the report.

Management Support Team

Surveillance equipment designed and developed by theLogistics Support Team.

heAirport Commandhas collaboratedwith theCivil ServiceTraining and Development Institute to conduct 10 tailor-

made communication workshops for all middle managers ofthe Command between June and November 2003. Each

workshop consists of a one-day classroom training session anda one-day outdoor exercise session.

The training aimed to strengthen the role of middlemanagers - from Chief Customs Officer to Senior Inspector - asan effective communication bridge by enhancing theircommunication skills and offering an opportunity for reflection.

As a participant, Inspector Eve ChanMiu-ling cherished theopportunity of reflection and experience sharing withcolleagues. Inspector ChengMan-yuen also remarked that theworkshop had helped him understand the importance of co-operation with the seniors and subordinates.

Airport Command

Group photo taken at the Customs and Excise Training School.

Airport Command organisescommunication workshops

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he Third Co-ordination Meeting between the ConsumerProtection and Prosecution Bureau (CPPB) and the

ConsumerCouncilwas held onMay7, 2003 to enhancemutualco-operation and to explore issues of mutual concerns in thesphere of consumer protection.

A five-member team headed by Ms Connie Lau, Head ofResearch and Survey Division of the Consumer Council, helddiscussions and exchanged viewswith six officers of CPPB ledby BureauHeadCheung Sai-yan. Among thematters dealt withwere the procedures for handing over complaints lodged by

consumers against the fineness of articles made of preciousmetals and ways to strengthen the product safety messagesdisseminated by the CHOICEmagazine.

The meeting was successfully concluded and both partiesagreed to meet regularly in the future to promote theirpartnership on consumer protection matters.

Consumer Protection and Prosecution Bureau

CPPB enhances co-operationwith Consumer Council

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In the war against the spread of SARS, the Department hadmade enormous efforts in ensuring an adequate provision of

protective gears to staff members. To this end, colleagues inour Supplies Section had worked tirelessly and devotedly. Evenduring the peak of the outbreak, staffmemberswere guaranteedof sufficient supplies of protective gears such as facemasks,gloves, goggles, protective clothing and shoe covers.

In recognition of the contributions made by our colleaguestowards attaining the goal of "zero-infection" within theDepartment, Customs Civil Secretary Albert Li presentedCertificates of Appreciation issued by the Secretary for the CivilService to eight officers of the Civil Secretariat, five of whomare from theSuppliesSectionand three from theGeneral Registry.

Meanwhile, our compassionate staff members had not forgotten the less fortunate in our society, particularly those childrenorphaned in the wake of the epidemic. Needless to say, the Department's appeal for donations to the We Care Education Fundreceived encouraging response from over 120 colleagues, raising a total contribution in excess of $65,000.

Office of Departmental Administration

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Combat against SARS

CustomsCivil Secretary Albert Liwith the eight officers receivingCertificateof Appreciation. (From left) Tsoi Kam-fai, Leung Kwan-yu, Lau Kam-che,Lau Chi-shing. YipMan-chung, Albert Li, YuenWoon-ngok, ChungWai-manand Lean Chan.

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The following officers were on the 2003 Honours List and they will receivemedals and certificate at Government House in October this year:

Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Distinguished Service (C.D.S.M.)

Maggie Kwok YoungMei-keiRetired Chief SuperintendentMrs Kwok is awarded the Hong Kong Customs andExciseMedal for Distinguished Service in recognition of her 34 years' exceptionalanddistinguishedserviceandcontributions to theDepartment and thecommunity.

Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Meritorious Service (C.M.S.M.)

Acting Chief Superintendent Leung Koon-wah

Acting Chief Superintendent Ko Chi-lok

Senior SuperintendentWilliam Leung Chi-chiu

Acting Senior Superintendent Lai Chun-kong

Chief Customs Officer Wong Pui-fai

Chief Customs Officer Kung Yiu-fai

Chief Executive's Commendation for Government Service

Senior Customs Officer Chan Che-kwong

Office of Service Administration

8 Customs officers on 2003 Honours List

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eputy Commissioner Raymond LiWai-man still remembersvividly an operation he had taken part in one of the most

memorable experiences he had in serving the Customs for 37years.

"In 1970, the problem of illicit distillationwas rampant. Oneevening, I led a small team to crack down on this unlawfulactivity on the hillside in Sai Kung.Whenwewere getting closeto an illicit still site, we heard a string of dog barks and saw aman run out.We caught him after a short chase. However, thisman pleaded not guilty in court and said that he was not in thevicinity at the time of our raid. I therefore was required to giveevidence in court for the first time. I gave an honest accountof what had taken place, saying I did not witness that the mandistilled illicit Chinese spirit in person, but saw him running outfrom thevicinity of the still. Eventually, the Judge saidhebelievedIwas telling the truth, andconvictedhim,"Mr Li told theCustomsNews at a brief interview in July prior to his pre-retirement leavestarting from July 22, 2003. Hewill officially retire on February17, 2004.

He took the opportunity to share with his colleagues theimportance of giving truthful evidence in court. "If the evidencegiven is not reflecting the actual happening, the prosecutionwill be adversely affected. Besides, youmay commit a criminaloffence and discredit the Department."

Self enhancement plus lifelong learning

Mr Li encouraged colleagues to pursue continuous learningfor self-improvement. He recalled, "In the 1970's and 1980's,only one or two colleagues had the opportunity for overseastraining each year. In 1980, I was lucky to be sent to AustralianCustoms to attend a training course for two months.Subsequently, I have also been to theUK, theUS, NewZealand,Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Belgiumand the Mainland to attend meetings or receive training, andI have benefited a lot from such experiences. Since Hong Kongbecame amember of theWorld CustomsOrganization in 1987,opportunities for overseas training and meetings for mycolleagues have greatly increased." In 2002/03, a total of 85Customs officers underwent overseas training while 219attendedmeetings abroad to broaden their horizons.

"Back in1993, I attendedacourse at theTsinghuaUniversity.I found it beneficial to HongKong civil servants. In 1999, I askedthe Shanghai Customs College to organise a two-week coursefor Hong Kong Customs officers to enrich their understandingof the Mainland systems and Customs administration as wellas to offer themmore opportunities to practise Putonghua,"MrLi said.

Since 1999, Hong Kong Customs hasmade arrangementstwice every year for Inspector or above, and later includingChief Customs Officers and Trade Control Officers to attendtraining in Shanghai Customs College. As for the CustomsOfficer grade, the Department made arrangements for themto attend training courses at theGuangdongSub-administrationof the Customs General Administration.

Since he joined the Department in 1966,Mr Li spent a long

period of time at the Customs and Excise Training School, fromthe late 1973 to early 1980s. Hewas responsible for all trainingactivities, including physical training, footdrill, firing practice,Customs work and procedures.

Commitment and Excellence

Any motto to share with Customs colleagues beforeretirement?Mr Li quoted theDepartmentalmotto "Commitmentand Excellence" to encourage colleagues to perform their dutieswell. To put it simply, "Each of us, as a civil servant, should doan honest eight-hour work each day."

"Besides, the management shall maintain a harmoniousworking relationship with the staff and handle all matters in animpartial manner," Mr Li admitted frankly that not all peoplewould find his management style agreeable, but he still had afirm belief in the saying, "Have a clear conscience even thoughthings may not turn out the way as we wish."

Mr Li told colleagues that as long as they kept on performingwell, their promotion prospect would be promising, especiallywhen the Department still had room to expand in the face offuture development needs, including the Shenzhen WesternCorridor, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, the Mainland/Hong KongCloser Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and theHong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

"After working for 37 years, I'm glad that I can eventuallytake a rest. I'm also pleased to have an ideal successor. MrLawrence Wong Sau-pui is very competent. I trust he wouldperformmuch better than I had and I look forward to his risingto new heights," Mr Li said, adding he would go travelling anddo exercises more, and learn golfing.

Customs News, on behalf of all colleagues, wishes DeputyCommissioner Raymond Li all the best on his retirement.

Raymond Li shares his career ofcommitment and excellence

in an interview with the Customs News prior to his retirement

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Retired Deputy Commissioner Raymond Li (back row first from right) withthe instructors and other trainees of the 12th Revenue Sub-InspectorInduction Course.

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Raymond Li with retired Assistant Commissioner Vincent Poon (firstfrom right) andChief SuperintendentHimly Li (centre) at theMessDinner.

RaymondLiwasawarded theCustomsandExciseMedal forDistinguishedService by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, in October 2000 inrecognition of his exceptional and distinguished service and contributionto the Hong Kong Customs and the community.

Having served in the Department for 37 years,Deputy Commissioner Raymond Li had made

remarkable contributions to the Department. On theoccasion of his retirement, six staff associations hadjointly organised a farewell dinner on July 21, 2003 tobid farewell to Mr Li.

More than400service colleagues, retirees, Customsattaches and representatives from the industriesattended the farewell dinner in a Tsim Sha Tsuirestaurant.

Led by the Customs and Excise Service Band, Mrand Mrs Li proposed a toast on stage to all the guestsbefore the dinner commenced. The organisingcommittee had arranged a series of entertainingprogrammes, which included, among other things, asnapshot on Mr Li's career in the Customs, musicperformancebyCustomsandExciseServiceBand, violinsolo, Chinese Opera and Karaoke performance. Theevening was full of joy and warmth, and was reallymemorable.

"During my service with the Customs, I receivedinvaluable support and encouragement from allcolleagues, which enabled me to fulfi l l myresponsibilities and accomplish the tasks successfully.Without your support, I have not been able to make it.Please accept my heartfelt appreciation to all of you,"Mr Li expressed his gratitude in his e-mail to allcolleagues before proceeding on his pre-retirementleave.

We wish Mr Li every successes and a happyretirement.

Farewell Dinner Organising Committee

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400 people attend Farewell banquet for Raymond Li400

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,