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2024
The Department of Justice announced today that Yang Ling will take up the appointment as Director of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office with effect from November 1. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam welcomed Dr Yang’s appointment, which was made following an open recruitment exercise, noting that she is a recognised scholar in international legal and dispute resolution with extensive management experience, including her time at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. “She will be able to lead the office to take forward the policy initiatives of developing Hong Kong as a capacity-building centre for legal talent in domestic, foreign and international law," he added. The International Legal Talents Training Office has been set up to serve as the co-ordinating body to take forward the establishment of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy set out in the 2023 Policy Address. The office will also serve as the secretariat for the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee, which was formed by three advisory boards comprising eminent legal experts and scholars from renowned international, Mainland and local legal organisations, and universities as members. Capitalising on Hong Kong's bilingual common law system and international status, the academy will regularly organise training courses, seminars, international exchange programmes and more to promote exchanges among talent in regions along the Belt & Road. It will also provide training for talent in the practice of foreign-related legal affairs for the country, and nurture legal talent conversant with international law, common law, civil law and the country's legal system. Dr Yang was admitted to the Chinese Bar in 2004 and currently holds the position of Deputy Secretary-General and Head of China Relations of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC). Prior to joining the HKIAC in 2018, Dr Yang was Associate Professor at the East China University of Political Science & Law where she taught international arbitration. She was also a visiting scholar at the University of Aix-en-Provence Marseille III in 2008 and at Boston University School of Law in 2017.
Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan said today that Hong Kong people should have every confidence in the city’s legal system given that both serving overseas judges and others who have just left fully recognise the rule of law in the city.Mr Cheung also told reporters this morning that he fully recognises the contributions made by the overseas judges in Hong Kong.He added: “Several of them left, maybe for different reasons, some for personal reasons and some for other reasons that may not be disclosed.Mr Cheung iterated that he is certain that the Judiciary will continue to look for other outstanding judges in overseas jurisdictions.“I will say that we recognise their contributions. But, as you can see, many excellent common law jurisdictions in the world, they do not have such kind of mechanism.“The mechanism of overseas judges is a unique feature of our system, but it doesn't mean that if you do not have overseas judges, you do not have good rule of law, as you can see from the other examples of other jurisdictions all over the world.”He urged Hong Kong people to have confidence in the city’s rule of law.“We should recognise that there are very good remarks made by the other serving overseas judges in Hong Kong and overseas judges who just left; they fully recognise the rule of law in Hong Kong and we must have every confidence in our own rule of law, in our legal system.”
The Immigration Department (ImmD) tonight said three Hong Kong residents have been evacuated from Lebanon safely by vessel and flight arranged by our country. It said the evacuation was assisted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Lebanon. The ImmD added that it will continue to maintain close liaison with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chinese Embassy to monitor the latest development in Lebanon. The Government raised the outbound travel alert for Lebanon to black on September 30. It advised Hong Kong residents to avoid all travel to Lebanon. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and leave or relocate to relatively safe regions immediately. They should also pay attention to announcements made by local authorities and the Chinese Embassy there. They may call the 24-hour hotline of the ImmD’s Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit at (852) 1868, or contact the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon at its consular protection hotline (961) 3866468 for assistance.
The Security Bureau today held a parade and fun day at the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. The bureau's disciplined services and auxiliary services, together with youth uniformed groups, were involved in the event, in which members assembled to form patterns, including the number “75” and the national flag. The grand parade began with performances by bands from different disciplined services and auxiliary services. During a performance by the Police Band, members of the disciplined services and youth uniformed groups marched onto the parade ground, adopting the Chinese-style foot drill. This was followed by a flag-raising ceremony conducted by the Fire Services Department's flag party. It involved a rendition of the national anthem and a fly-past by Government Flying Service helicopters. The officiating guest, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, inspected the disciplined services ceremonial guard, as well as youth and uniformed groups. Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan said there had been an enthusiastic response to the Government's call for diverse activities to be held across the territory to celebrate National Day, demonstrating the community's admiration and best wishes for the country. He added that the ceremonial activities showcased the solidarity of the disciplined services, auxiliary services and youth groups, and their determination to uphold the country’s dignity. He also urged young people to contribute to the country. Other performances included a music show by the Police Band; a foot drill demonstration by disciplined services personnel; lion and dragon dances and boxing performances by youth group members; and an appliance parade involving various disciplined services and auxiliary services. The bureau and eight disciplined services and auxiliary services also hosted exhibition and game booths to deepen public understanding of their daily operations.
Customs announced that it will launch a new 24-hour crime-reporting hotline 182 80 80 tomorrow to facilitate citizens to report crimes as a way to step up consumer protection work during the Mainland's National Golden Week period. Through this easy-to-remember number, members of the public may report crimes enforced by Customs, such as smuggling; manufacturing, trafficking or possession of dangerous drugs; infringing goods; duty-not-paid cigarettes, liquor or fuel; money laundering; goods or services with false trade descriptions; unfair trade practices; short-weight; and operating a currency exchange or remittance service without a licence. The current hotline will remain in place until further notice. Additionally, Customs will release a series of promotional videos to remind tourists to stay alert when shopping, and call the crime-reporting hotline immediately if they fall into consumer pitfalls of unfair trade practices. The videos will be posted on various social media platforms during the peak period of visitors amid the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week holiday. People may continue to report crimes via email, online crime-reporting form, crime-reporting mail, fax or post.
The Government today raised the outbound travel alert for Lebanon to black in view of the latest developments there. It advised Hong Kong residents to avoid all travel to Lebanon. Those already there should attend to personal safety and leave or relocate to relatively safe regions immediately. The Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation in Lebanon and issue updates through the media, the bureau's mobile app and its outbound travel alert webpage. In addition to attending to personal safety, the bureau advised Hong Kong residents in Lebanon to pay attention to announcements made by local authorities and the Chinese Embassy there. They may call the 24-hour hotline of the Immigration Department’s Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit at (852) 1868, or contact the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon at its consular protection hotline (961) 3866468 for assistance.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today reviewed the Fire & Ambulance Services Teen Connect (FAST Connect) Rally in Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. About 250 members of FAST Connect participated in the event aimed at strengthening the members’ sense of identity with, belonging to, and pride towards the country. During the rally held at the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy, the team members demonstrated team spirit through singing the national anthem and performing a Chinese-style foot drill. Guards of Honour of FAST Connect and the Fire Services Department (FSD) also jointly conducted a flag raising ceremony. Addressing the rally, Mr Tang stated that the Security Bureau and its disciplined forces attach great importance to fostering young people’s positive thinking, law-abiding awareness and team spirit to train up future leaders for the country and Hong Kong. Since the establishment of FAST Connect in 2021 by the FSD, its members have participated in a variety of exchange activities to better grasp the country’s latest developments and deepen their national identity. Today’s rally is a showcase of their fruitful training results, Mr Tang highlighted. He expressed hope that the members would keep in mind the FSD’s mission of “serving with courage, passion and commitment”, as well as upholding the spirit of dedication, resilience and determination. He also encouraged the members to diligently equip themselves to become participants in Hong Kong’s advancement from stability to prosperity. They should foster a strong sense of patriotism, contribute to “one country, two systems” and national rejuvenation, and be good storytellers of China who understand global trends well, the security chief advised.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today promoted Hong Kong's legal services as he continued a visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as part of a tour of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. Mr Lam met Deputy President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia Ng Yih Pyng this morning to learn more about the country's need for cross-jurisdictional legal services, and briefed him on Hong Kong's diversified professional services. He then received a lunch briefing from Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia Bilal Parvaiz, gaining a better understanding of Malaysia's business landscape and the demand from its financial sector for legal and dispute resolution services. That was followed by a meeting with Vice-President of the Malaysian Bar Anand Raj, which entailed a discussion about legal co-operation and exchanges between Malaysia and Hong Kong. Mr Lam also took the opportunity to visit the Malaysian International Mediation Centre, which was launched in January under the auspices of the Malaysian Bar Council. In addition, he met Chief Executive Officer of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Almalena Sharmila Johan to learn about its provision of institutional support for domestic and international arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Upon arriving in Kuala Lumpur yesterday afternoon, Mr Lam had a meeting with Attorney General of Malaysia Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin bin Mohd Salleh. He also met representatives from Malaysia's legal and business sectors at a seminar titled Hong Kong: The Common Law Gateway for Malaysian Businesses to China and Beyond. This was followed by an evening networking reception co-organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Jakarta and the National Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia. Attendees were briefed on various topics, including Hong Kong's unique advantages under “one country, two systems”, and its latest lawtech services for resolving cross-border disputes. During the seminar, Mr Lam witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), facilitated by the DoJ, between the South China International Arbitration Center (HK) and the AIAC, and a supplementary MoU between the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and the AIAC. Yesterday's itinerary ended with a dinner meeting between Mr Lam and Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said. Mr Lam will conclude his ASEAN tour and return to Hong Kong tomorrow.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said that justice was upheld in the District Court's sentencing of three defendants in a case of "conspiracy to publish and/or reproduce seditious publication". The court handed down its sentence today, following the conviction of three defendants on August 29. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government explained that the court has held earlier that Chung Pui-kuen and Lam Shiu-tung, while holding chief editorial positions at Stand News, had knowledge and approved of the seditious intent of the articles, providing Stand News as a publishing platform for inciting hatred against the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government, as well as hatred against the administration of justice. It added that the reasons for the verdict by the court have pointed out clearly that the ideology of Stand News was localism which excluded China, and that it even became a tool to smear and vilify the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government during the movement of opposition to the proposed legislative amendments. The court found that the relevant articles, without any objective basis, attacked the relevant law and procedures; and relevant law enforcement and prosecutorial process; spread hatred and anti-government sentiment with disinformation; attacked law enforcement by Police and glorified the behaviour of rioters - in other words, they were not based on facts. The statement noted that to distort acts of inciting hatred as "journalism" is a complete reversal of right and wrong. According to Schedule 3 of the Implementation Rules of Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Department of Justice has made an application to the court for a confiscation order to confiscate the proceeds of the relevant crime. The department will continue to handle subsequent procedures in accordance with the law, the statement added. It also pointed out that the court stated in its reasons for sentence that at the time of the offence, the three defendants were not engaging themselves in genuine journalistic work but were participating in the so-called protest at the time. From the editorial of Stand News and News Stand, it is evident that they sided with the protesters against the Government. The crimes committed by the three defendants are very serious, it emphasised. The reasons for sentence also pointed out that, given Stand News had approximately 1.6 million followers, the seditious articles involved have undoubtedly caused significant harm to both the central government and Hong Kong SAR Government as well as the residents, although it is difficult to quantify, the statement noted. It added that the reasons for sentence indicated that, due to the severity of the offences, imprisonment is the only appropriate sentencing option. Regarding the length of the sentence, the maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment. The Hong Kong SAR Government noted that this maximum penalty is completely disproportionate to the severity of the offences. According to the existing Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the maximum penalty for the crime of sedition is seven years' imprisonment. Based on Chung Pui-kuen’s culpability, a starting point of 23 months' imprisonment was adopted, and a sentence of 21 months was passed. For Lam Siu-tung, a starting point of 14 months' imprisonment was adopted but due to the potential risk to his life if sent to prison, a sentence was imposed that allows for his immediate release. The statement revealed that following the verdict in this case, some people have expressed concerns about freedom of the press and speech in Hong Kong. It added that some foreign media or other people with ulterior motives, as well as anti-China organisations and anti-China politicians, made untruthful and purely political remarks smearing the Hong Kong SAR. The Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that it has made clarifications and rebuttals many times to set the record straight. It indicated that, as demonstrated in the court's reasons for its verdict, Stand News completely disregarded objective facts and contravened the "special duties and responsibilities" which journalists must observe under international human rights conventions. It also mentioned that the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights guarantee fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, procession and demonstration. Members of the public, including journalists, in Hong Kong are, as always, free to make comments or criticisms that are based on facts, and to enjoy and exercise freedoms of the press and of speech in accordance with the law, without fear of unwittingly violating the law. In addition, the statement indicated that it is the constitutional duty of the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security. In this regard, the Hong Kong SAR Government will ensure that laws are observed and continue to enforce the law resolutely, decisively and rigorously with a view to effectively preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for acts and activities endangering national security with all-out efforts.
The Security Bureau today held an interdepartmental meeting to co-ordinate the management of passenger and vehicular flows at land boundary control points (BCPs) during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week holiday. To ensure smooth and orderly operation of the land BCPs during the holiday period, relevant departments will strengthen manpower, as well as co-ordination of transport and cross-boundary services, at these points. This will include strengthening crowd management and increasing transport frequency. Relevant departments have minimised leave for frontline officers to enable the flexible deployment and operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks. Additional security guards will also be deployed at individual BCPs to provide crowd management support. The Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by customs, Police, the Immigration Department and other departments will be activated during the National Day Golden Week to facilitate monitoring of the situation at control points. The relevant departments will also maintain close liaison with the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, and Mainland counterparts. They will take timely contingency actions to flexibly deploy manpower at the BCPs and open more e-Channels and counters to ease passenger and vehicular flows where necessary. The Transport Department’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will operate round the clock to monitor traffic and public transport services in different districts, including at BCPs and major stations. It will disseminate the latest traffic information via various channels and implement response measures where appropriate. Police will make appropriate traffic arrangements according to the circumstances. If necessary, this will include arranging for public transport to use the dedicated lane on San Sham Road to reach Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port. The public and visitors can check the estimated waiting times at each land BCP via the Immigration Department’s mobile application in order to plan their itineraries. The daily arrival figures for each control point will be uploaded onto a designated web page. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, who chaired the interdepartmental meeting, said relevant departments will maintain close liaison and co-ordinate with one another to properly manage passenger and vehicular flows, providing an orderly and smooth experience for the public and visitors to Hong Kong. The bureau will activate its Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre in a timely manner to closely monitor and co-ordinate the public order situation at various BCPs and facilitate follow-up actions where necessary, he added.