HONG KONG – Under its revised import policies targeting shipments from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, the US government is going to impose duties of either 30 percent of value or $25 per item on shipments previously exempt under the $800 de minimis rule starting May 2, with the per-item rate doubling to $50 after June 1.
Hong Kong Post has already suspended the acceptance of surface and air postal items containing goods destined to the US from April 16 and April 27, respectively.
“For sending items to the US, the public in Hong Kong should be prepared to pay exorbitant and unreasonable fees due to the US's unreasonable and bullying acts,” the special administrative region government said on April 16.
Global leaders converge for marine tech expo
The 2025 Zhuhai International Marine Intelligent Technology Exhibition will take place at the Zhuhai International Airshow Center from April 24 to 26, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in marine technology.
Featuring exhibitions and conferences, the global platform will host over 200 leading enterprises across marine tech, renewables, smart shipping and aquaculture sectors. The exhibition this year will also pioneer an innovative "air-sea synergy" model with a dedicated drone zone, bridging low-altitude and deep-sea technologies.
The event aims to boost marine economy competitiveness through innovation and sustainable development, particularly in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Sports carnival ahead of National Games
The inaugural Guangzhou International Sports Carnival will commence at Tianhe Sports Center on April 26, celebrating the 200-day countdown to China's 15th National Games. The event will debut a Chinese Athletics Association-certified four-star running track, welcoming city partners, running clubs, and residents to experience the new facility.
Coinciding with preparations for upcoming sports events such as the 2025 World Athletics Relays in May, the carnival will transform Tianhe Sports Center into a public fitness park featuring the opening of the circular track on the second floor and smart management systems to enhance visitor experiences across Guangzhou's sports venues.
The city will also integrate sports with commerce and tourism through special programs like culinary-themed sports tours. Festivities will extend citywide with drone displays, metro train decorations, digital billboards, and Canton Tower light shows.
Reading week promotes reading culture
Hong Kong Reading Week 2025 and the 2025 Hong Kong Reading+ events at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin will conclude on April 27. The initiative featured about 450 online and on-site activities designed to nurture reading habits across the community.
Highlights included the “Reading Together for Half an Hour” campaign on Hong Kong Reading on April 23, weekend festivities at the Hong Kong Central Library, and a special pop-up library at D·PARK in Tsuen Wan.
Hong Kong Public Libraries partnered with Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 5 to enhance the program’s reach, featuring celebrity reading advocates, including actor Alex Fong and renowned Cantonese opera performer Law Kar-ying, who shared their personal reading journeys through short videos and audio clips.
