You are here
RSS list
2025
The Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Ordinance will come into effect on January 1 of next year, in accordance with a notice published today in the Government Gazette. The ordinance imposes statutory obligations on designated operators of critical infrastructure to ensure they adopt appropriate measures to protect their computer systems. The aim is to minimise the risk of essential services being disrupted or compromised due to cyberattacks, thereby maintaining the normal functioning of Hong Kong society and people’s daily lives. The Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Ordinance (Commencement) Notice will be tabled at the Legislative Council on July 2 for negative vetting.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today issued a strong condemnation of remarks by Consul General of the US to Hong Kong Gregory May, stating that they are untrue, biased and deliberately intended to mislead the public and smear the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Hong Kong SAR’s work to safeguard national security. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that as legal proceedings in the case involving Lai Chee-ying are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case. It urged US politicians to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong’s internal affairs and the independent exercise of judicial power by its courts. The statement emphasised that governments have an inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, in accordance with international law and international practice based on the UN Charter. It added that as the US has at least 21 laws safeguarding national security, US politicians who point fingers at the Hong Kong SAR’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms display only hypocrisy and double standards while entirely disregarding the constitutional and practical needs of Hong Kong, as well as the positive effects brought about by Hong Kong’s national security legislation on its economic development and protection of human rights. The Hong Kong SAR Government highlighted that Hong Kong’s law enforcement agencies take actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law, and that such actions have nothing to do the political views, backgrounds or occupations of persons or entities concerned. It added that anyone charged with a criminal offence in Hong Kong will receive a fair trial as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The statement charged that attempts by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in Hong Kong to procure a defendant’s evasion of criminal justice amount to blatant acts undermining the rule of law and should be condemned. It said the notion that people or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanction for their illegal acts is tantamount to granting them privileges to break the law, perverts the course of justice, and runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. The Hong Kong SAR Government also outlined that extraterritorial effect for offences under the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) fully aligns with the principles of international law and international practice, and is both necessary and legitimate. It added that absconders hiding in the US and other Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security, such as inciting secession and requesting that foreign countries impose “sanctions” or blockades and engage in other hostile activities against the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong. Such persons, it emphasised, continue to collude with external forces to cover their evil deeds, making it necessary for Hong Kong’s law enforcement agencies to take all lawful measures to combat these acts. The Hong Kong SAR Government said that that it will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the National Security Law, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security. It added that it will concurrently uphold the rights and freedoms of its people in accordance with the law so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”.
The Immigration Department announced today that the Automated Immigration Clearance e-Channel service will be extended to eligible People's Republic of China (PRC) passport holders from tomorrow. Those aged 11 or above who hold a valid PRC electronic ordinary passport can use the e-Channel service, via face recognition technology, when transiting through Hong Kong to or from another country or territory without prior enrolment for the service. The new arrangement does not apply to PRC passport holders entering Hong Kong on the strength of an “Entry Permit for Hong Kong” issued by the overseas Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions. Such passport holders will still have to complete arrival clearance at immigration counters.
The Government today announced that from September 8 the Immigration Department will revise fees for some services, including the issuance of visas/entry permits and travel documents, as well as despatch services for delivery of travel documents to places outside Hong Kong. The Government sets and reviews various fees and charges according to "cost recovery" and "user pays" principles, and fees charged should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full cost of providing the goods or services. In view of this, fees for the services concerned will be increased by 3% to 51% with the aim of achieving full cost recovery gradually. The fees will have little impact on most people's daily expenses and have limited impact on general business activities. The department's measures are being enacted to control the cost of providing the services. Proposed legislative amendments relating to the fee revisions will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on July 2. The revisions will take effect after completion of the necessary legislative procedures. Click here for details of the fee revisions.
The Government has welcomed the Legislative Council’s passage today of the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025, which amends the Trade Unions Ordinance. It said the bill fulfills a duty to safeguard national security and improves the trade union regulatory regime. The amendments strengthen the statutory powers of the Registrar of Trade Unions to supervise and regulate unions. The Government stressed that the amendments give due regard to the freedom and right of Hong Kong residents to form and join trade unions and will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions. It added that the amended ordinance will ensure that trade unions uphold the principal object of safeguarding and promoting the occupational interests of their members, which will be conducive to unions’ healthy development. The Trade Unions (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will be published in the Government Gazette on July 4, and will come into operation on January 5 next year. The Labour Department will step up publicity efforts and publish reference materials to help trade unions understand and comply with the new requirements.
Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan today led a delegation to Guangzhou for a luncheon to exchange views with senior executives of Guangdong enterprises. The delegation included representatives from the Law Society, the Bar Association, Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, the banking sector and the Advisory Group of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers. During the exchange session, members of the delegation gave thematic presentations on Hong Kong's unique advantages as an international legal hub and financing platform. Other presentation topics covered common legal issues in foreign-related financing, and protection of intellectual property rights in going global. The delegation also had an in-depth discussion with representatives of Mainland enterprises. Mr Cheung pointed out that it was the first time for the Department of Justice (DoJ) to bring together representatives from various professions to introduce the city’s unique advantages in connecting the Mainland and the world to Mainland entrepreneurs. Such a cross-professional approach brought multiple professional perspectives, enhancing the enterprises’ understanding of Hong Kong’s position as the best gateway for global expansion, he added. Mr Cheung also emphasised that enterprises need quality foreign-related professional services to assist them in opening up a “safe route” for going global successfully, and Hong Kong’s international professional services are positioned as key partners to enterprises expanding into overseas markets. More than 40 enterprises attended the exchange session hosted by the DoJ, the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong, and co-organised by the Guangdong Chamber of International Commerce. After the session, Mr Cheung brought legal profession members of the delegation to hold a discussion with the Guangdong Lawyers Association, on how lawyers from both places could effectively assist enterprises in addressing practical legal issues arising from going global.
The 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Professional Examination (GBA Examination) will be held on October 25 in Shenzhen and Zhuhai, Guangdong and eligible applicants can apply through the Ministry of Justice website from June 25 to July 4. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said that as the GBA Examination continues to be held and the team of GBA lawyers continues to grow, the pilot scheme fully harnesses the GBA's unique advantage of “one country, two systems and three jurisdictions”, contributing to the construction of rule of law in the GBA. “The pilot scheme will expire next year. We will actively strive for the scheme of GBA lawyers to be regularised." The GBA Examination has been held four times. More than 560 Hong Kong and Macau legal practitioners have passed the examination and obtained the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyer's License to provide legal services in the nine Mainland municipalities in the GBA on specified civil and commercial matters to which the Mainland laws apply.
The Home Affairs Department today said it has reported an impersonation incident in a Facebook group to the Police Force for investigation and contacted the social media platform to request prompt removal of the false content. The department said it took immediate action after discovering an unidentified individual impersonating a Tai Po District Officer and posting a statement under the profile name “Tai Po District Care Teams Alliance” in a Facebook group named “Tai Po”. The department stressed that the content of the social media post and the purported statement were false, and that neither were issued by a Tai Po District Officer or by any District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams). It added that the Government will take serious action in accordance with the law against anyone impersonating a public officer or posting false information purporting to be from Care Teams. The department urged members of the public to remain vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to its hotline, on 2835 2500, or to Police. The public is also reminded to obtain accurate information through official Government channels and to refrain from trusting or forwarding unverified online messages.
The Security Bureau today held a flag-raising ceremony at the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy to mark the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The bureau led the disciplined services, the auxiliary services and disciplined services youth groups, and collaborated with youth uniformed groups subvented by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau for the first time, to hold the ceremony. The Police Band, disciplined services ceremonial guard and youth uniformed groups marched in with Chinese-style foot drill. The Fire Services Department's flag party conducted the ceremony during the playing and singing of the national anthem, accompanied by a fly-past by a Government Flying Service helicopter, and concluded with a performance by the Police Band. Officiating at the event, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law have laid a solid legal foundation for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. The security law is a solid shield protecting Hong Kong, safeguarding the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", and protecting the fundamental well-being of Hong Kong people, he added. Mr Chan also officiated at the award presentation for the literature and art creation competition to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the security law. The competition encouraged colleagues of the bureau and disciplined and auxiliary services to create artistic works on how the National Security Law fortifies national security and protects social stability.
The 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum was held today, inviting renowned legal experts and academics to review the legislative intent and background of the security law, and discuss its fruitful achievements. CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong officiated at the forum’s opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Chief Executive and Hong Kong National Security Committee Chairman John Lee also delivered a keynote speech at the event. Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and National Security Adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong SAR Zhou Ji, Vice-Chairperson of the Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhang Yong, Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR Dong Jingwei, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR Cui Jianchun and Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Peng Jingtang also delivered speeches at the ceremony. Mr Xia said the implementation of the security law over the past five years has proven the law to be a "guardian" in defending the "one country, two systems" principle and in safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. He added that Hong Kong must safeguard national security in the full process of implementing the "one country, two systems" principle, ensure that the governance of the Hong Kong SAR is firmly in the hands of the patriots, be steadfast in safeguarding security and promoting development as well as effectively protect the human rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people and maintain the city’s unique position and advantages. Looking to the future, Mr Xia said the security law will surely safeguard the steady and far-reaching journey of the "one country, two systems" principle, enabling Hong Kong to achieve new and greater accomplishments in the grand endeavour of building a strong nation and realising national rejuvenation. The Chief Executive thanked Mr Xia for his heartfelt review of the positive significance of the security law in restoring Hong Kong's stability and implementing the "one country, two systems" principle in the past five years, and for providing direction for Hong Kong's future security and development. Mr Lee put forward several main points, stressing that Hong Kong must fully and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" principle and thoroughly adopt a holistic approach to national security; adhere to the solid foundation of the rule of law and leverage Hong Kong's international advantages; cherish the stable situation and seize development opportunities; and enhance traditional advantages, focusing on reform and innovation. He also noted that Hong Kong should continue to safeguard national security and make use of the stable situation to develop a vibrant economy, achieving prosperous development and improving people's livelihoods. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said in his welcome remarks that the most important direction for safeguarding national security in the future is to balance the relation between security and development, strictly adhering to the principle of rule of law and the requirements of respecting and protecting human rights and freedoms set out in Articles 4 and 5 of the security law. This would enable people to study, work and live with peace of mind and unite to seek breakthroughs and changes, overcoming various challenges to consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international centre and encouraging people from abroad to come to Hong Kong for development, Mr Lam added. There were two panel sessions in the forum, with the first session reviewing the legislative intent and background of the security law. In the second session, Mr Lam engaged with young leaders from various sectors to explore the vital role of the youth in safeguarding national security, and envisage further joint endeavours between the Government and the community in enhancing legal literacy. Concluding the forum, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan said that today's event aimed to provide an in-depth and broad discussion loaded with insights and humour.