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2025
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said today that it strongly opposes untrue and biased remarks made by the US and Group of Seven Rapid Response Mechanism (G7 RRM) members and associate members with regard to Hong Kong's pursuit of persons wanted in connection with national security offences. The other G7 RRM members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the European Union. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. It outlined that the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and under the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applicable to the Hong Kong SAR, are protected in accordance with the law. Legislation that safeguards national security only targets a very small number of organisations and individuals that endanger national security, the Hong Kong SAR Government added. It iterated that the Police Force's National Security Department announced on July 25 that 16 absconders, along with three individuals – Yuan Gong-yi, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da – who were specified as absconders in June and December 2024, had been placed on the wanted list. These 19 absconders are suspected of having committed offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law by organising, establishing, or participating in, outside of the Hong Kong SAR, a subversive organisation named the “Hong Kong Parliament”. In response to applications by Police, arrest warrants against these 19 persons at large have been issued. On August 4, the Secretary for Security exercised the powers conferred by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify the above-mentioned group of 16 persons as absconders, and issued notices in the Government Gazette regarding measures to be applied against them. The statement said the absconders are subject to arrest warrants not because they had “exercised freedom of expression”, but because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security outside of Hong Kong. The “Hong Kong Parliament” is an organisation aiming to subvert the state's power. Its objectives include promoting “self-determination”, promulgating the so-called “Hong Kong Constitution”, and overthrowing or undermining the People's Republic of China’s basic system and central power, or the authorities of the Hong Kong SAR, by unlawful means. The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that endangering national security is a very serious offence, and that such acts can bring very serious consequences. It added that it has the responsibility to pursue, in accordance with the law, persons suspected of having committed offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law or other offences endangering national security outside of Hong Kong. The statement stressed that it is a demonstration of hypocrisy by any external forces to attack the Hong Kong SAR's efforts to dutifully and faithfully safeguard national security in accordance with the law. It added that the Hong Kong SAR's law enforcement agencies take actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with the political stances, background or occupations of those individuals or entities. The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that it has the responsibility to pursue those who are suspected to have committed offences endangering national security and absconded overseas. It added that absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong and that ultimately they will be liable for their acts. Furthermore, it said that any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts amounts to advocating for special privileges to break the law, which runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. It also reiterated that the Constitution and the Basic Law steadfastly safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents. It said that attempts by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong’s situation only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and will be doomed to fail. The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to unwaveringly discharge its duty in safeguarding national security, it added.
The Police Force (HKPF) today conducted an inter-departmental counter-terrorism and major incident exercise to enhance the communication, co-ordination and immediate response capabilities among relevant government departments and stakeholders in dealing with emergencies during the 15th National Games (NG). Over 300 representatives from 10 government departments and relevant organisations participated in the exercise held at the Penny’s Bay Community Isolation Facility, Fantasy Road, Lantau Island. Codenamed “FLYINGEAGLE”, “YELLOWFORTRESS” and “RAINARROW”, the exercise simulated three emergency scenarios during the cross-boundary road cycling race of the 15th NG. The three scenarios included a terrorist-initiated car ramming and shooting against spectators, spectators breaching the race route and colliding with cyclists causing mass casualties, as well as a missing child case. The exercise tested and enhanced the abilities of relevant government departments and stakeholders to effectively deploy manpower, subdue attackers, as well as co-ordinate emergency evacuation and rescue operations under various contingencies. The participants included the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), the HKPF, the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority, the Fire Services Department, the Immigration Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China and the Hong Kong Association for Conflict & Catastrophe Medicine.
The Social Welfare Department noted today that Police have arrested eight more people in connection with fraud cases referred by the department involving Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA). The department explained that it has made multiple referrals to Police since March 2024 on TAVA applications suspected of false medical certificate submissions. According to Police records, up to June 25, 2025, a total of 353 people were arrested. Upon thorough investigation, Police have further arrested eight more people suspected of committing fraud in recent days. The department highlighted that it has enhanced the TAVA Scheme and implemented new measures since June 28, 2025. The new measures include merging the Injury Grant and Interim Maintenance Grant of the TAVA Scheme into the Compassionate Grant (CG) which is up to a maximum of 60 days of sick leave; requiring an applicant to obtain certification from a registered medical practitioner, including a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, to prove that his or her injury requires hospitalisation for no less than seven days or sick leave for at least seven days; and setting a ceiling on the number of CG applications submitted by the same applicant to once within two years. Those providing false information to obtain TAVA payments will be subject to a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment. The department stated that it will continue to fully assist with Police's investigation to combat such crimes and ensure the proper use of public resources.
The Secretary for Security today exercised the powers conferred by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify 16 individuals who are subject to warrants of arrest issued by the court on suspicion of having committed offences endangering national security, and state the measures to be applied against them by notices published in the Government Gazette. The suspects are Victor Ho, Chan Lai-chun, Feng Chongyi, Gong Sasha, Ng Man-yan, Tsang Wai-fan, Chin Po-fun, Paul Ha, Hau Chung-yu, Ho Wing-yau, Keung Ka-wai, Tony Lam, Agnes Ng, Wong Chun-wah, Wong Sau-wo and Zhang Xinyan. The Police Force’s National Security Department announced on July 25 that the 16 absconders, together with Yuan Gong-yi, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da, were put on wanted list, with rewards offered in respect of each of them. These 19 people are suspected of committing offences under the National Security Law by organising, establishing, or participating in, outside Hong Kong, a subversive organisation named the "Hong Kong Parliament". The court has issued arrest warrants against them upon application by Police. Three measures are applicable to the 16 absconders specified today: "Prohibition against making available funds etc. or dealing with funds etc.", "Prohibition against certain activities in connection with immovable property", and "Prohibition in connection with joint ventures or partnerships with relevant absconders". The measure of "Cancellation of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports etc." is applicable to most of the absconders, while the measure of "Temporary removal from office of director" is applicable to individual absconders. The Government noted these wanted criminals are hiding in the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand, China's Taiwan region, etc, and they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security. In addition to stressing that they intended to incite hatred through smears and slander against the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR, the Government made it clear that as a consequence, it has taken such measures to make a significant impact. Separately, Police remind the public that, except under the authority of a licence granted by the Secretary for Security, any person, whether directly or indirectly, making available any funds or other financial assets or economic resources to a relevant absconder, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years.
A total of 455 legal professionals as well as nine law firms and barristers' chambers were presented with awards today for providing legal services to the community under the 2023-24 Recognition Scheme for Provision of Pro Bono Legal Services (Recognition Scheme). Apart from expressing gratitude to the awardees, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said that he was delighted to see an increasing number of legal professionals volunteering their pro bono services. The Government has provided a subvention for the Duty Lawyer Service to run the Free Legal Advice Scheme (FLAS) at nine district offices of the Home Affairs Department with the aim of engaging volunteer lawyers to provide free legal advice. Furthermore, nearly 7,200 cases were handled in 2024 by 1,500 pro bono lawyers who participated in the FLAS. Moreover, the Administration Wing has implemented the Legal Advice Scheme for Unrepresented Litigants on Civil Procedures to enable both resident lawyers and volunteer lawyers to provide free legal advice on legal procedures. In addition to the aforesaid schemes and services, the Free Legal Advice Service on Building Management and Free Outreach Legal Advice Service on Building Management run by the department in collaboration with the Law Society of Hong Kong, as well as the Free Legal Helpline and Free Legal Consultation Service run by the Law Society of Hong Kong are also recognised by the Recognition Scheme. Click here for more details.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly opposes and disapproves of the European Union’s (EU) slanderous remarks on the Hong Kong SAR’s lawful act to pursue wanted persons who have endangered national security and absconded from the city. In a statement today, the Hong Kong SAR Government strongly demands that the EU immediately stop acting against international law and basic norms of international relations, and stop interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China’s internal affairs. It emphasised that endangering national security is a very serious offence, adding that no country will watch with folded arms on acts and activities that endanger national security. It also noted that the “Hong Kong Parliament” is an organisation that aims to subvert state power. Its objectives include promoting “self-determination” and promulgating the so-called “Hong Kong Constitution”; and overthrowing or undermining the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) basic system established by the PRC Constitution or overthrowing the PRC’s body of central power or the Hong Kong SAR’s body of power with unlawful means. As such, the organisation is suspected of committing the offence of subversion contrary to Article 22 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). Hence, Police applied to the court for arrest warrants in accordance with the law and placed the persons on a wanted list. The Hong Kong SAR Government said that any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts, including those involving collusion with foreign or external forces, is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law. This totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law, it added. Extraterritorial effect for offences under the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. It is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world. As the Hong Kong SAR’s law enforcement department safeguards national security, Police are duty-bound to pursue the liability of those who have allegedly endangered national security outside Hong Kong. Those absconders hiding outside Hong Kong are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security. Moreover, they continue to collude with external forces to cover for their evil deeds. It is necessary for Police to take all lawful measures to strongly combat the acts of abscondment, and such actions are fully justified, necessary and legitimate, the Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out. It stressed that both the HKNSL and the SNSO clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applicable to the Hong Kong SAR are protected in accordance with the law. Nonetheless, just as in other places in the world, many of the rights and freedoms are not absolute. The ICCPR also expressly states that certain rights and freedoms including the freedom of expression may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law that are necessary for the protection of national security, public safety, public order, and the rights and freedoms of others. Regarding an extremely small minority of organisations and individuals endangering national security, the Hong Kong SAR Government said that it will not condone their criminal acts and will not give up pursuing them, including adopting all practical measures to bring those fugitives endangering national security who have absconded from Hong Kong to justice. It reiterated that absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong. Ultimately, they will be held liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law. No country or organisation should harbour criminals nor try to exonerate these people with different excuses. The Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that it will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the city, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, while upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, in order to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”.
The Police Force’s National Security Department yesterday arrested a 43-year-old local man in Sheung Shui for alleged seditious intention and criminal intimidation, in contravention of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the Crimes Ordinance. An investigation revealed that the man was allegedly involved in mailing letters to media organisations in Hong Kong. The force explained that the letters contain contents including demanding with menaces and provoking hatred, contempt or disaffection against the constitutional order and the executive, legislative or judicial authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as inciting other persons to do an act that does not comply with the law of the Hong Kong SAR. He is being detained for further enquiries. Police reminded members of the public that seditious intention and criminal intimidation are serious offences, and that offenders are liable to imprisonment for seven years and five years respectively upon conviction. It urged the public not to defy the law.
The "space oil drug" has officially been renamed as etomidate to help promote anti-drug messages, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said today. Mr Tang made the announcement when he spoke to the media this afternoon after attending the Fight Crime Committee meeting and explained the reason behind giving the dangerous drug a new name. “When we look at the increase in drug offences, for the first half of 2025 we have 591 cases of serious drug offences. Among those drug (cases), one-fourth of them is relating to etomidate. “Previously we called it ‘space oil drug’, and some of the drug traffickers make use of the name to promote a sort of fantasy and some positive feelings after taking drugs. I think this is absolutely wrong. “Etomidate only brings you harm. It will make you behave abnormally, and will cause (defacement) in your appearance, such as losing hair. I think we have to properly name it as etomidate."
The Working Guidelines on the Panel of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Arbitrators, jointly promulgated by the legal departments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau came into effect today, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said. The nomination exercise for GBA arbitrators (Hong Kong), conducted according to the working guidelines, also commenced today. The legal systems, as well as the arbitration models, systems and development among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau within the GBA are different. To promote the complementary advantages of arbitration resources and facilitate the interface of the arbitration mechanisms of the three places, the trio jointly agreed to establish the panel of GBA arbitrators. The sixth GBA Legal Departments Joint Conference endorsed the working guidelines on November 18 last year, setting out the operational details such as the criteria for the nomination of GBA arbitrators, nomination procedures for GBA arbitrators, the use of the panel and the supervisory regulations. Email the DoJ’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Team for enquiries.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung explained today that the disciplined and auxiliary services utilise drones of different sizes, and related systems, to enhance operational efficiency and make better use of manpower resources. Mr Tang was outlining the scope of tasks performed by the departments’ unmanned aircraft in response to questions raised by lawmaker Chan Yuet-ming. To assist in investigations and evidence collection, he said the Police Force, the Customs & Excise Department and the Immigration Department all use drones with high-resolution cameras to capture video at crime scenes, especially in rural areas and at sea, where access is relatively difficult. He added that in May the force launched a Pilot Scheme for Operational Deployment of Drones, which involves using drones to perform patrols in the Border District and Kowloon West Region. In the Border District, the force deploys an automated drone docking system that leverages smart planning of flight paths to enable automatic patrol operations. Meanwhile, in Kowloon West Region, patrol coverage is expanded through flexible deployment of drones for high-altitude patrols. Mr Tang highlighted that since the pilot scheme was launched, drones have helped Police in four separate cases, leading to three people being arrested. The force will look at ways to enhance the pilot scheme and have scheduled its expansion to Cheung Chau Division and the Central District in the fourth quarter of this year. On the use of drones for monitoring crowds and traffic flows at large‑scale events, the security chief said potential safety hazards are promptly identified through real-time images recorded by the drones. Moreover, using a drone system capable of hovering at designated locations for extended periods of time allows the force to send safety reminders to members of the public. When it comes to searching for missing people, the Police Force, the Fire Services Department and the Civil Aid Service all use drones to surmount harsh conditions and quickly reach difficult locations such as cliffs and mountains. Throughout the rescue process, drones can also conduct surveillance to ensure site safety. Moreover, drones can take high-definition photographs of debris that can be used in the production of three-dimensional models, thereby facilitating the planning of rescue operations by ground rescue personnel. Mr Tang elaborated that in firefighting, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras are used by the Fire Services Department to monitor temperature changes at fire scenes from multiple angles in the air. Based on such data, incident commanders can work out firefighting strategies and devise entry and evacuation routes to enhance operational efficiency and ensure the safety of rescue workers. Furthermore, to strengthen the security of prisons and detention facilities, drone technology is employed by the Correctional Services Department and the Immigration Department to assist in facility inspections – for example, examining deterioration in boundary fencing and checking roof-tops for anomalous objects – and to help with emergency response actions. The security chief stressed that in applying drone technology, the disciplined and auxiliary services exercise stringent control and supervision to ensure their operations comply with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. The departments also strictly follow the Guidance on CCTV Surveillance & Use of Drones, issued by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, to avoid unnecessary proximity to the public and residential areas, he added.