Hong Kong Customs Commissioner Ho Peishan commented on lobster smuggling, Australia took the opportunity to ask China why imports are banned

The new director of Hong Kong Customs, He Peishan, said after taking office on October 21 that the smuggling of Australian lobster into mainland China poses a threat to China's national security.

Australia took the opportunity to ask China to answer why it banned the import of Australian lobster.

After the China-Australia relationship was at an impasse due to the 5G network and the traceability of the new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), Australian lobster became one of China's prohibited imports.

But it is still widely welcomed by people in mainland China.

Hong Kong is not subject to the trade restrictions of the Ministry of Commerce of China. The Special Broadcasting Service of Australia (SBS) said on the 22nd that an analysis predicts that most of the Australian lobster imported into Hong Kong will eventually be shipped to mainland China.

He Peishan, who became the first female customs commissioner in Hong Kong's history, said that she gave priority to the lobster problem.

She said: "On the surface, it is just a problem of lobster smuggling. But these (smuggling) activities are undermining China's trade restrictions on Australia." She also said that cracking down on Australian lobster smuggling is to safeguard China’s trade restrictions on Australia and the country. safe job.

The picture shows He Peishan, then Deputy Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs, attending the work summary press conference.

(Photo by Hong Jiahui)

Her speech appeared after George Mina, the representative of Australia's World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, criticized China on October 20.

Mina accused Beijing of taking political considerations as a motive to take trade interference measures against Australia at a WTO hearing on China's Trade Policy Review on the 20th.

They have prevented more than a dozen products from being exported to China, including lobster.

Sino-Australian ties | Lobster banned exports more than 90% Australian business seeks to return to low-priced markets such as the United States and Europe The volume has surged by 30%, but the fishermen’s customs chief is suffering. He Peishan takes up her new post: Combating lobster smuggling is an important task to safeguard national security. Customs found 228 tons of undeclared Australian lobster worth 180 million yuan and arrested 7 lobster importers.

British Reuters said on the 22nd that Australian lobsters previously imported from mainland China were worth US$527 million a year, but on November 5, 2020, the General Administration of Customs of China announced that it would strengthen inspections on them.

Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan pointed out in a statement on October 22, 2021 that the move will have a significant impact on the country's lobster imports.

Tien said: “The Australian government continues to seek further information from the General Administration of Customs of China on this matter.” When he was asked about He Peishan’s remarks, he said: “The rock lobster trade from Australia to Hong Kong is fully in line with the Country).”