- 19.
Reply:
Mr President,
Under section 18 of the Import and Export Ordinance, imports of relics to and exports of relics from Hong Kong are illegal if they are not properly manifested. Such acts are subject to a maximum penalty of a fine of HK$2 million and imprisonment for 7 years. The unmanifested relics will be seized and liable to forfeiture. They will be directly forfeited to the Government if there is no claimant or, if there is a claimant, they may be forfeited by a court order or returned to the claimant as appropriate, after the hearing of the application by the claimant.
Once the goods are forfeited to the Government, they will be subject to the disposal of the Government upon the completion of all court proceedings. In the spirit of close cross-border co-operation between Hong Kong and China, arrangements will be made to return relics smuggled into Hong Kong from China to the Chinese authorities. In 1995-96, 1059 pieces of relics with a total estimated value of $64 million have been returned to China.
End
Policy on use of Renminbi
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Law Cheung-kwok and a reply by the acting Secretary for Financial Services, Mrs Lessie Wei, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
As an increasing number of retail shops in the territory are accepting Renminbi (RMB) for payment, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
of the current policy and legislation governing the use of RMB for payment of purchases and the RMB exchange activities taking place in retail shops in Hong Kong; and
whether it has discussed with the Chinese Government the possibility of RMB becoming one of the currencies in circulation in Hong Kong after the change of sovereignty in 1997; if so, what the details are, and whether it has estimated the extent of the circulation of RMB in Hong Kong during the initial stage following the change of sovereignty?