Hong Kong became a full member of the World Customs Organisation in 1987 and this is the ninth year it has celebrated the International Customs Day.
The basic aims of the World Customs Organisation are to harmonise customs systems, to develop and improve customs techniques and legislation and to promote international enforcement co-operation. Hong Kong plays an active part in the work of the organisation's council.
Over 300 guests, comprising members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, senior government Officials, consuls-general and foreign officials and top executives from trade and business organisations, attended today's reception at the Customs and Excise Senior Officers' Mess,.
Also at the function, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Don Watson, presented certificates issued by the World Customs Organisation to five Customs officers and three trade organisations in recognition of their support to the "Year of Traveller 1995" campaign.
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Reproductive technology council established
The Government has appointed Mr Denis Chang Khen-lee, QC, and Ms Anna Wu as co-chairpersons of the newly-formed Provisional Council on Reproductive Technology (PCRT).
The 19 non-official members of PCRT include doctors, social workers, lawyers, theologists, a sociologist, a clinical psychologist, a nurse and other community representatives.
A government spokesman said today (Friday) that PCRT was formed to advise on the regulatory framework for reproductive technology and to draw up a code of practice for compliance by licensed reproductive technology institutions.