Regional IP protection event hosted by HK Customs promotes Asian exchanges

The Regional High-Level Conference on IP Protection, held by Hong Kong Customs from March 12-14, achieved consensuses in key aspects and facilitated exchanges with the mainland and other Asian customs regions, according to local officials.

About 200 participants reached understandings in three major aspects of enforcement, engagement and education, said Deputy Commissioner (Control and Enforcement) of Customs and Excise Mark Woo Wai-kwan.

Hong Kong Customs also held meetings with Indian and the Philippines Customs, as well as Chinese mainland officials during the event, according to Simon Lee from the Hong Kong Customs.

This is the first time that Hong Kong Customs has hosted a large-scale regional conference on IP protection. The opening ceremony was officiated by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah, and Commissioner of Customs and Excise Louise Ho Pui-shan.

The event highlighted cooperation mechanisms for IP protection and law enforcement in the Asia-Pacific region, Woo said. The focus was collaboration with relevant international organizations such as the World Customs Organization (WCO), Interpol, and Europol, intelligence sharing and joint programs with the WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific, and the WCO Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building.