You are here
RSS list
2026
The Department of Justice said today that allegations involving the newly appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and another officer are entirely fabricated, and called the spreading of false allegations a despicable act. The remarks came in a statement issued in response to media enquiries relating to a social media post. It said it had taken note that serious allegations involving the DPP and another DoJ officer were circulating online. The department said that a rigorous investigation was carried out, pursuant to an earlier anonymous complaint and in accordance with established procedures, and that it was confident that the allegations are completely without factual basis, entirely fabricated, and constitute malicious smearing. It condemned attempts to spread rumours online about dedicated prosecutors performing their duties and safeguarding national security as ill-intentioned, malicious and despicable, adding that these rumours were intended to defame public officers, the Prosecutions Division, and even the reputation of the entire department. It stressed that the public should not be misled by unfounded allegations, or become a party to the spreading of rumours. The department has referred the matter to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and corresponding actions to severely punish lawbreakers in accordance with the law. It emphasised that it attaches great importance to the integrity and professional conduct of its officers, and that all departmental personnel, regardless of rank or duties, perform their responsibilities with the highest standards of professional excellence and ethics. The department iterated that it will continue to provide professional legal services to the Government in accordance with the law.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan Berik Assylov signed bilateral agreements on the surrender of fugitive offenders (SFO), mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (MLA) and the transfer of sentenced persons (TSP) today on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Kazakhstan. “Both Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are committed players in the international efforts to fight crimes. The signing of the agreements on SFO, MLA and TSP today represents an important step forward in legal co-operation between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan,” Mr Tang said at the signing ceremony. Under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong SAR Government may, with the authorisation of the Central People's Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance. The SFO agreement sets out the conditions for the surrender of fugitive offenders between the Hong Kong SAR and Kazakhstan and contains the usual safeguards found in similar international agreements, including that the conduct must constitute an offence according to the laws of both parties, and surrender may be refused if the offence is punishable with the death penalty. The MLA agreement between the Hong Kong SAR and Kazakhstan contains the essential features and safeguards of international agreements of this type. Assistance covered by the agreement includes identifying and locating persons, serving documents, taking evidence, executing requests for search and seizure, providing information and confiscating proceeds of crime. The TSP agreement embodies the shared conviction of Hong Kong and Kazakhstan that allowing sentenced persons to return to their places of origin, where there are no language or cultural barriers and where friends and relatives can pay more regular visits, is conducive to their rehabilitation. Hong Kong's policy is therefore to facilitate such transfers between Hong Kong and other jurisdictions as far as possible.
The Government today announced it issued the red outbound travel alert for the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on public health considerations, reminding Hong Kong residents to avoid non-essential travel there. The Government announced on May 17 the activation of the Alert Response Level in accordance with the Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease. The relevant departments are fully prepared. Once a suspected case is identified, testing and comprehensive prevention and control measures will be implemented immediately in accordance with established protocols to prevent the spread of the virus in Hong Kong. The Government emphasised that no confirmed cases of Ebola disease have ever been recorded locally. At present, the risk of Ebola disease is primarily confined to outbreak areas and the immediate public health impact to Hong Kong is currently low. The World Health Organization recently declared that the Ebola disease epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The Department of Health (DH) has assessed the risk of local transmission spreading to other regions as very high. The Government has therefore issued a red outbound travel alert for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hong Kong residents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who need assistance can call the Immigration Department (ImmD)'s 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD's mobile app. They can also send message the 1868 WhatsApp or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit an online assistance request form. Alternatively, they may contact the local Chinese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at (243) 851474669. Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the DH and ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means or a timely manner when necessary. The DH has all along conducted health screenings for inbound travellers at all boundary control points. From May 17 to 20, 11 individuals who declared having visited the relevant regions underwent health assessments by the DH. No suspected cases of Ebola disease were identified. DH staff also provided these individuals with health information on the spot, reminding them to seek immediate medical advice at accident and emergency departments if they develop symptoms within 21 days of arrival in Hong Kong. In collaboration with the Hospital Authority, the DH has established procedures for handling high-risk specimens related to suspected cases to ensure that, should a suspected case arise in Hong Kong, testing can be conducted as quickly as possible.
The Department of Justice is presenting the interactive drama “Rule of Law Academy - Adventure to the Stars” starring Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre from today to tomorrow. This large-scale show, returning by popular demand, aims to promote rule of law education to senior primary students and parents. The two performances are expected to attract an audience of over 2,000. Through an engaging adventure story, the play integrates the concept of the rule of law into the plot in a lively and interactive manner. Mr Lam and Mr Cheung sing and dance as the Principal and Vice-principal of the Rule of Law Academy to convey the message of upholding the rule of law. By participating in the interactive sessions, the audience helps the protagonists overcome challenges to attain the “Rule of Law Star” distinction, experiencing how values such as fairness and equality, honesty and integrity, solidarity and mutual support, as well as a law-abiding spirit, can be practised in everyday life. Under the “Rule of Law through Drama” project, the Department of Justice has been promoting law-abiding awareness and the spirit of the rule of law through stage performances. The project has presented over 350 shows to local primary schools since its launch in 2021.
The Security Bureau today said it was notified by Guangdong Province's Nuclear Emergency Committee Office of an operational event at Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station, in which an isolation valve remained closed longer than required. This incident did not affect the safety of the power station’s Unit 1, the health of the workers, the nearby public or the environment, the bureau added. On May 7, Unit 1 was undergoing a planned overhaul for refuelling. During routine testing, station staff remotely closed one of the cooling water isolation valves of the standby equipment from the main control room to adjust the cooling water flow, and restored it to normal status on the same day. Since the isolation valve remained closed for a duration exceeding the requirement of the technical specification, this event was classified as a Level 0 deviation on May 8 in accordance with the International Nuclear & Radiological Event Scale and relevant nuclear safety regulations. The bureau stressed that Unit 1 remained in a safe condition throughout the event, while the three safety barriers remained intact and there was no release of radioactive substances.
The Global Mediation Summit, the first international conference organised by the International Organization for Mediation, or IOMed, was held at the Convention & Exhibition Centre today, with Chief Executive John Lee officiating. Speaking at the event, Mr Lee noted that the National 15th Five-Year Plan has expressed support for IOMed, and emphasised that this backing ensures Hong Kong will play a key role in the peaceful resolution of international disputes through mediation in the long term. “As IOMed’s headquarters, Hong Kong is at the very heart of global dispute resolution and its promising future,” Mr Lee said. “The National 15th Five-Year Plan, I am pleased to note, has expressed support to IOMed. That ensures that Hong Kong will play a key role in the peaceful resolution of disputes by mediation, long down the road,” he added. “Hong Kong will continue to build on our partnership with IOMed. Together, we will work to develop Hong Kong as a global mediation centre, and we invite governments, companies, investors and others to make optimal use of the mediation services provided by IOMed.” Mr Lee also highlighted that since its inauguration last October, the number of signatory states to the IOMed Convention has climbed from 37 to 41, while the number of contracting states has risen from eight to 13. The summit drew over 400 leaders, senior officials and professionals from 48 countries and regions to share their experience and insights on international mediation. IOMed Governing Council Vice-chairperson Willy Bett noted that establishing the headquarters in Hong Kong significantly bolsters the trust of many countries. “IOMed's positioning or location in Hong Kong, and the support the Hong Kong SAR and the People's Republic of China in general, has made IOMed gain confidence with many countries,” he said. “And Hong Kong has a lot of experience in handling international matters. And therefore, even the location of Hong Kong in itself being at the heart of Asia and the Pacific, it puts it in a unique position to be a more central place to settle most of these disputes,” Mr Bett added. Another speaker, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes Conciliator Panel Member Wolf Von Kumberg, who is an independent arbitrator and mediator himself, said Hong Kong is well positioned to become a global mediation capital. “For mediation to work, you have to ensure that the parties feel comfortable in going to a particular venue that is both stable and also is a safe place to go,” he noted. “Hong Kong is very well placed because for decades, Hong Kong has been a commercial hub where investors could come from all over the world into a very stable environment,” he added. “By putting a mediation institute here, it is a place that is recognised by global stakeholders to help them then to resolve these disputes.” With the support of the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy as the key sponsors, the summit concludes Mediation Week 2026. The event has explored international cross-cultural mediation, financial and investment dispute resolution and the development of a global mediation ecosystem.
The Global Mediation Summit, organised by the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), will be held tomorrow at the Convention & Exhibition Centre, with Chief Executive John Lee officiating and delivering a special address. With the support of key sponsors the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, the summit is geared towards establishing Hong Kong as a global mediation capital. It will bring together leading mediation experts, policymakers and industry leaders from around the world to explore topics such as cross-cultural international mediation, financial and investment dispute mediation, and the development of a global mediation ecosystem. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam will give opening remarks. Keynote speeches will be delivered by IOMed Governing Council Vice-Chairperson and Kenyan Ambassador to China H.E. Willy Bett, and by Director General of the Treaty & Law Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qi Dahai. The summit will feature three panel discussion sessions, enabling former government officials, law professionals, academics and leaders of international institutions in the field of dispute resolution, from China and around the world, to share their insights and experience in relation to three core themes: “The Facilitators of Peace: Wisdom from World-class Mediators”; “The Clients’ Voice: Why States and Investors Choose Mediation”; and “Beyond the Horizon: Developing the Global Mediation Ecosystem”. The event will take place from 8.30am to 5.30pm, with in-person attendance augmented by live-streaming. It will be conducted in English. Simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and Cantonese will be provided.
The Security Bureau was notified today by Guangdong's Nuclear Emergency Committee Office regarding an operational event at the Taishan Nuclear Power Station involving the discovery of foreign material. While the station’s Unit 1 was undergoing a planned overhaul on April 30, foreign material was identified during a video inspection of steam generator number 3. Following the completion of inspections on May 2, two pieces of curled, chip-like material, measuring approximately 1.5cm by 1.5cm and 3.5cm by 1.3cm, were successfully removed. The station is currently conducting traceability analysis of the objects. The bureau stressed that Unit 1 remained in a safe condition throughout the event. All three safety barriers remained intact and there was no release of radioactive substances. The incident had no impact on the unit’s safety, the health of workers, the public or the environment. The event was classified as a Level 0 deviation on May 1 in accordance with the International Nuclear & Radiological Event Scale and relevant nuclear safety regulations.
The Department of Justice today launched Mediation Week 2026 under the theme “Mediate First: An Attempt of Mediation Harvests Abundant Harmony”, beginning with a school mediation seminar. The five-day programme, aims to promote mediation as an amicable way to resolve conflicts and foster a more harmonious community. Seminars throughout the week will cover disputes related to schools, sports, the elderly and neighbourhoods. Addressing the kick-off event, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said young people are the future and that the Government is committed to embedding a mediation culture within schools. Mr Lam noted that this year's Mediation Week aims to promote the values of diversified solutions and harmonious relationships, and he encouraged students to use mediation skills to achieve win-win solutions in a peaceful and rational manner. The opening seminar, titled “Capital of Mediation: You are the Future”, featured a session where peer-trained students demonstrated how mediation builds communication skills and empowers them to address disputes collaboratively. A second session highlighted winners of the Mediation Essay Competition 2026. This year, the competition expanded for the first time to include students from across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The phased return of residents to Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po entered its 11th day today, with the reopening of five low-zone floors of Wang Tai House and 10 middle-zone floors of Wang Kin House. Supported by the “one social worker per household” service, 457 residents from 117 households returned to their units – exceeding the 437 individuals initially registered. The Government described the access arrangements as orderly and smooth. Residents spent an average of two hours and 25 minutes on-site, from a minimum of 14 minutes to a maximum of three hours and 40 minutes. Approximately 77% of residents completed their visits in under three hours, while 27% stayed for less than two hours and 4% left within an hour. Regarding movement, 123 individuals from 65 households made multiple trips to their units. Among them, 55 people from 25 households made one additional trip, 48 people from 26 households made two more, 15 people from 11 households made three extra, three people from two households made four additional, and two people from the same household made five or more trips. The integrated enquiry counter today handled nine requests for Police assistance, as well as one case involving physical discomfort. The nine cases requesting Police assistance were related to suspected property loss such as watches, jewellery, cash and gold. In one case, the unit concerned was severely damaged and residents believed after investigation that the property might have been destroyed by fire. In another five cases, there were no signs of ransacking in the units, and the residents could not provide details on the property concerned. For the remaining three cases, Police will make further investigations.