<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The federal government has updated its </span><a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/hong-kong" rel="" target="" title="travel advice"><span>travel advice</span></a><span> for Hong Kong, warning Australians to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting or travelling through the region.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Authorities can request access to personal electronic devices and passwords from anyone in Hong Kong, even if you're only transiting through the airport.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As of last month, it is illegal to refuse to disclose your devices' passwords to the Hong Kong police under the city's broad National Security Law.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/inflation-data-australia-march-2026-quarter-interest-rate-implications/575bc24a-ead7-4abd-a49c-b9c9753af93c" rel="" target="" title="Inflation surges to near-three-year high as borrowers brace for more hikes"><strong><span>Inflation surges to near-three-year high as borrowers brace for more hikes</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From April 30, it will also be illegal to import alternative smoking products like vapes or possess them in public places, such as the airport.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hong Kong's security laws can be interpreted broadly and apply to activities outside Hong Kong, including social media posts, the Australian government's Smartraveller website notes in its updated warning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The maximum penalty under Hong Kong's national security laws is life imprisonment," the warning reads.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/warning-to-aussie-tourists-their-phone-could-be-seized-at-airport-of-holiday-hotspot/ef875617-836e-4273-8a3d-7387f4485a66" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Citizens of other countries, including Australia, have been arrested, convicted and imprisoned under Hong Kong's security laws."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Authorities in Hong Kong are able to detain a person without charge for up to 16 days and deny them access to a lawyer for up to 48 hours, Smartraveller says.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The warning comes as Australians are flocking to Hong Kong in record numbers. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In 2025 alone, 469,000 Australians travelled to the destination - a massive 27 per cent surge from the previous year, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The board attributed this surge to several key factors, including the launch of more direct flights, drawcard events and the city's stopover appeal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>