XN000022-1994-11-17 — Page 17

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1994

INITIALLY, THE TRADING COMMUNITY WILL BE ABLE ΤΟ APPLY FOR RESTRAINED TEXTILES EXPORT LICENCES AND TO LODGE IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS THROUGH THE CETS.

"THESE TWO BILLS AIM AT MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR EDI TO BE ALSO USED IN ADDITION TO CURRENT PAPER-BASED METHODS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

A TRIAL SERVICE WILL BE LAUNCHED NEXT YEAR. PENDING THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS TRIAL, THE CETS WILL BE OPENED UP TO THE ENTIRE TRADING COMMUNITY IN 1996.

HK REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS REAFFIRMED ITS COMMITMENT TO PLAYING ITS PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE RHINOCEROS AND TIGER.

THIS WAS STATED BY A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR ERIC JOHNSON, AT THE NINTH MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TRADE IN RHINOCEROS AND TIGER SPECIMENS.

THE MEETING FORMED PART OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (CITIES) CURRENTLY HELD IN FLORIDA.

MR JOHNSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLEASED THAT THE HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION FROM THE CITIES SECRETARIAT WHICH VISITED HONG KONG IN JANUARY THIS YEAR SUBSEQUENTLY EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH THE STRICT CONTROL OVER TRADE IN RHINOCEROS AND TIGER PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG.

"SINCE THE VISIT OF THIS HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION, ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONTROL HAS BEEN INTENSIFED FURTHER. ALL 2,000 OR SO TRADITIONAL MEDICINE SHOPS HAVE BEEN INSPECTED BY OUR CITIES MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY AND NEARLY 400 SEARCHED UNDER WARRANT, RESULTING IN PROSECUTIONS.

OVER

200

"CUSTOMS AND POLICE OFFICERS ARE ALSO ASSISTING IN THE ENFORCEMENT EFFORT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS.

"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THE MESSAGE IS GETTING THROUGH TO THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE TRADE IN HONG KONG THAT TRADE IN RHINOCEROS HORN AND TIGER PARTS AND MEDICINES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN SUCH INGREDIENTS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

INTO

RECENTLY

"THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN REINFORCED BY THE INTRODUCTION HONG KONG'S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF PROPOSALS TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE PENALTIES PROVIDED FOR UNDER OUR ENDANGERED LEGISLATION, HE SAID.

..

SPECIES

/UNDER THE