STORY: Meet HK customs' first nat'l cultural relics identification team
DATELINE: Aug. 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:22
LOCATION: HONG KONG, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of team members of Hong Kong Customs' National Cultural Relics Identification Team participating in a week-long training program
2. various of team members of Hong Kong Customs' National Cultural Relics Identification Team conducting the investigative work
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LAU YUK-LUNG, Captain of HK Customs' National Cultural Relics Identification Team
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LAU YUK-LUNG, Captain of HK Customs' National Cultural Relics Identification Team

STORYLINE:

Lau Yuk-lung and his colleagues, wearing masks and gloves, meticulously examine the texture of a piece of jade using magnifying glasses, while a specially designed miniature camera silently records the process with its flashing red indicator light.
   
Lau is not a jewelry appraiser nor a professional in the field of cultural relics. He is a supervisor in the intelligence bureau of the Hong Kong Customs. Now, he has taken on a new role as the captain of the customs' first-ever National Cultural Relics Identification Team, established in early July this year to enhance its enforcement capabilities against cultural relic smuggling.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LAU YUK-LUNG, Captain of HK Customs' National Cultural Relics Identification Team
"As one of the major law enforcement agencies at the port, the Hong Kong Customs bears a significant responsibility in guarding the southern gateway of China. The establishment of this team signifies our commitment to intensify efforts in combating cultural relic smuggling and protecting the security of the national cultural heritage."

The team members were selected internally based on certain criteria. In addition to the requirements related to their customs duties, proficiency in Mandarin and a passion for cultural relics and Chinese culture were essential.
   
The team's first significant "mission" was to travel together to Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, to participate in a week-long training program, the inaugural mainland, Hong Kong and Macao course on capacity building to prevent illegal trafficking of cultural heritage, jointly organized by the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) and the Hong Kong Customs.
   
The training program was conducted by industry experts from the NCHA, the Ministry of Public Security, and the General Administration of Customs. The curriculum encompassed cultural relic identification, regulation of the cultural relic market, relevant laws concerning the prevention and crackdown on cultural relic-related offenses, and law enforcement strategies.
   
The team members were overwhelmed by the rich and splendid Chinese civilization as they visited the Shaanxi History Museum, the Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, and other renowned cultural sites, exclaiming that the cultural heritage of Xi'an is incredibly profound.
   
Back in Hong Kong, the team members, divided into four squads, rotate shifts for one month each, to handle cultural relics identification tasks at different ports and checkpoints. Equipped with their newly acquired knowledge and skills, the team members are ready to identify and intercept cultural relic smuggling attempts.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LAU YUK-LUNG, Captain of HK Customs' National Cultural Relics Identification Team
"We have cooperated with the Chinese mainland customs, including the anti-smuggling bureau, for many years. So through many years of work, I think we have laid a solid foundation for combating the smuggling of national cultural relics."
   
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong, China.
(XHTV)