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2026
The Security Bureau said a Hong Kong resident earlier detained for illegal work in Myanmar was rescued and transferred to Thailand yesterday, and will return to Hong Kong as soon as possible. The bureau's dedicated task force received a request for assistance earlier. The bureau immediately liaised with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok (Bangkok ETO), as well as the relevant Thai authorities, and launched a joint rescue operation promptly. Representatives of the Hong Kong SAR Government arrived in Thailand yesterday to follow up on the incident. Yesterday, the dedicated task force arranged for the Hong Kong resident to meet his family in Thailand once he was in good mental and physical condition. The Hong Kong resident said he felt like he was experiencing a horror movie in the past few days and thanked the task force members for visiting Thailand to save him from detention. Pleased with the reunion, his family members commended the speedy and effective rescue mission. The dedicated task force members will make arrangements for the Hong Kong resident’s return to the city as soon as possible, and will continue to follow up on investigating his case. While in Thailand, the dedicated task force met the Commander of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, Central Investigation Bureau of Royal Thai Police, to discuss the support arrangements for the Hong Kong resident after his rescue. The dedicated task force also met personnel from the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand to thank them for their continued efforts on the case, as well as their appropriate and practicable assistance for the individual and his family. In addition, the dedicated task force had a meeting with officials of the Bangkok ETO to learn about the latest local situation. The bureau thanked various parties including the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR, the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Bangkok ETO, as well as the relevant Thai authorities, for their support and assistance, resulting in a prompt and smooth operation. Since 2024 to date, law enforcement agencies have received a total of 32 request-for-assistance cases in relation to Hong Kong residents alleged to have been detained in Southeast Asian countries and not being able to leave. Apart from the above-mentioned case, 28 of them have already returned to Hong Kong and two needed no further assistance and follow-up. The bureau stressed that its dedicated task force will continue to actively follow up on the remaining request-for-assistance case and provide appropriate advice and practicable assistance to the assistance seeker and their family.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said today it strongly condemns untruthful remarks, slanders and smears contained in the United Kingdom’s “six-monthly report on Hong Kong: July to December 2025”. In a press statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it rejects the UK’s attempt to interfere in the city’s governance by making misleading remarks about Hong Kong matters. Emphasising that the core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration concerns China’s resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and that the declaration does not authorise the UK to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs following its return to China, the Hong Kong SAR Government urged the UK to respect international law and basic norms governing international relations, and to stop intervening in Hong Kong matters, which it said are purely China’s internal affairs. The Hong Kong SAR Government said it steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people, as protected under the law, and that the city’s media landscape has remained vibrant since the implementation of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. It added that it rejects false content in the UK’s report in relation to Hong Kong’s laws and efforts to safeguard the SAR’s national security. In this regard, it highlighted that the UK, pursuant to its national security and counter-terrorism laws, arrested over 3,000 people in 2025, but nevertheless smeared the Hong Kong National Security Law and the city’s efforts to enforce it as “undermining rights and freedoms”. The statement said such double standards and hypocritical behaviour are ugly and despicable. It further stated that the implementation of the National Security Law has brought freedom, stability, a resumption of economic activity and improvements to the business environment in Hong Kong, with the city being recognised as the world’s freest economy in the world. Stressing that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, the Hong Kong SAR Government said any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from the consequences of acting illegally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. As to the UK report’s mention of the verdict in the Lai Chee-ying case, the Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that he and other defendants were found guilty only after a fair trial, and that to suggest otherwise is a malicious smear. It said the court made it clear that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views of beliefs, and that there was absolutely no question of “political prosecution”. Regarding the UK report’s claim that the Hong Kong SAR Government exerted “political pressure” on the judiciary as the court deferred to judgements made by the executive branch regarding national security matters, the Government said differing to such judgements is established practice in many locations, including the UK.
The Correctional Services Department today announced that an IT system security incident involving illegal access to one of its IT systems maintaining staff personal data was found on Tuesday, however there was no evidence indicating that relevant data had been leaked or disclosed. The department immediately reported the incident to Police. After a preliminary investigation, the department believes that the incident involved illegal access to the internal Knowledge Management System by a hacker, through which the hacker then illegally accessed another IT system maintaining the personal data of its staff. Relevant data included the names, genders, dates of birth, academic qualifications, information of employment history in the department and email addresses of about 6,800 serving and departing staff. The department took immediate action after the incident, including isolating the internal Knowledge Management System, notifying users to change passwords, thoroughly reviewing all systems under the department's purview and activating back-up procedures, as well as requesting the outsourced service provider to commence an investigation. Apart from reporting the incident to Police, the department has also reported it to the Security Bureau, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) and the Digital Policy Office (DPO). The department added that although there is no evidence indicating that relevant data has been leaked, it has started informing all possibly affected individuals of the situation for prudence sake. In case of suspicious circumstances, they should report to Police as soon as possible. The department is very concerned about the incident and is consulting the PCPD and the DPO, with a view to conducting a comprehensive review of the incident and taking further enhancement measures for personal data protection to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
To mark the 11th National Security Education Day, the Fire Services Department will host an open day at the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O on April 12. The event, which runs from 10am to 2pm, aims to enhance public understanding of the Constitution, the Basic Law and the Hong Kong National Security Law. It will also showcase the department's role in safeguarding national security, maintaining public order and safety and professional personnel training. Highlights include a parade of fire appliances, a rescue demonstration and displays of specialised equipment and training facilities. The event will also feature a fire-safety exhibition, interactive games and a demonstration of Fire Services working dogs. In addition, the Fire & Ambulance Services Education Centre & Museum will be open to visitors throughout the day. People can apply for up to four admission tickets via the Fire Services Department mobile app from today until Sunday. Tickets will be allocated by computer ballot and successful applicants will be notified through the mobile app on April 1. Tickets are not required for children aged three or below. Call 2411 8773 for enquiries.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today met Mainland officials in Shanghai and Hangzhou. Mr Lam and his delegation, comprising about 40 representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, and local and international law firms, visited Shanghai yesterday and today before travelling onwards to Hangzhou. This morning, Mr Lam met Vice President of the Shanghai High People's Court Wang Guangxian. They discussed their respective experiences of judicial practice and ways to strengthen talent training. He then met Shanghai Vice Mayor Lu Shan to learn about developments in the city and to highlight the unique advantages stemming from Hong Kong's robust common-law system and its being connected both to the Mainland and the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. He said this can provide Shanghai enterprises with support, through legal and other professional services, in their overseas expansion. Arriving in Hangzhou this afternoon, Mr Lam met Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province Yang Qingjiu to discuss strengthening co-operation and exchanges between Zhejiang and Hong Kong. Mr Lam's itinerary in Shanghai began yesterday with a visit to the headquarters of an Internet and technology company. He then visited the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice to meet Secretary of the CPC and Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice Gu Quan. They exchanged views on strengthening professional co-operation in the legal, arbitration and mediation sectors, and on training for foreign-related legal professionals. Together with his delegation, the justice chief also attended a roundtable meeting and networking dinner for Shanghai and Hong Kong lawyers and enterprises. He promoted Hong Kong's strengths as an international financial centre and international legal hub in being able to leverage its common law system and legal and dispute resolution services to assist Mainland enterprises in "going global".
The Acting Chief Executive-in-Council (CE-in-C) today ordered the Registrar of Companies to strike off three companies relating to Apple Daily from the Companies Register and these companies have been dissolved. The CE-in-C invoked the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Companies (Winding Up & Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance to strike off the three companies - Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited and AD Internet Limited. The registrar has thereupon struck the three companies off the Companies Register and published a notice in the gazette. The companies have been dissolved. In the case, Lai Chee-ying and the three companies relating to Apple Daily were prosecuted with a total of three charges of offences endangering national security. The court convicted Lai Chee-ying and the three companies relating to Apple Daily of all charges and handed down sentences on February 9. Amongst others, the three companies relating to Apple Daily were each sentenced to a fine of $3,004,500. The court pointed out that without the facilitation from the three companies relating to Apple Daily, two of the charges in this case could not have occurred, and that there were no valid mitigating factors in respect of the three companies. HKNSL Article 31 stipulates that the operation of an incorporated or unincorporated body such as a company or an organisation shall be suspended or its licence or business permit shall be revoked if the body has been punished for committing an offence under that law. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said it is necessary to revoke the registration of the three companies relating to Apple Daily, and prohibit the operation or continued operation of the three companies in the Hong Kong SAR, in order to effectively safeguard national security. The Secretary for Security issued written notices to the three companies relating to Apple Daily respectively on February 11, affording them an opportunity to make representations regarding the intention of the Secretary for Security to make recommendation to the CE-in-C. Replies were received from the directors of the three companies on February 25, confirming that there were no representations from those companies. Taking into account all the relevant circumstances of the case, including the conviction and severity of the offences committed by the three companies relating to Apple Daily and the recommendation by the Secretary for Security, the Acting CE-in-C today ordered the Registrar of Companies to strike the three companies relating to Apple Daily off the Companies Register. The three companies have been dissolved and become prohibited organisations. Any person who engages in the acts specified in the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance commits an offence, including acting as an office-bearer or a member of a prohibited organisation; and giving aid of any kind to a prohibited organisation, and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $1 million and imprisonment for 14 years. The Government appeals to members of the public not to participate in any activities of prohibited organisations or have any connection with them.
The Government today announced that the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region made the 2026 Implementation Rules for Amending the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the National Security Law. Exercising the power conferred under Article 43 of the law, the Chief Executive and the Committee introduced amendments to refine the enforcement of measures related to safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The amendments were published in the Gazette and took effect today. Under Article 43, law enforcement authorities investigating national security offences may apply measures used for serious crimes under existing laws, as well as specific measures stipulated in the article. The article also authorises the Chief Executive in conjunction with the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, to make implementation rules for such measures. The original rules were first enacted on July 7, 2020. The Government stated that the amendments published today draw on the experience gained safeguarding national security and will help enhance the city’s enforcement capabilities. Citing a complex and volatile geopolitical climate, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it must remain vigilant and fulfill its constitutional duty to continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security. The Government stressed that the amendment rules conform with both the Basic Law and the National Security Law. It noted that the amendments incorporate judicial oversight to ensure that while national security threats are effectively prevented and punished, the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organisations are fully protected. The Government assured that the amendment rules will not affect the lives of the public or the normal operation of organisations, as the offences are clearly defined. A joint meeting of the Legislative Council’s Panel on Administration of Justice & Legal Services and the Panel on Security has been proposed for tomorrow. Representatives from the Security Bureau and the Department of Justice will brief lawmakers on the amendments.
In view of the continued deterioration of the situation in the Middle East regions, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Iran and Israel to black, and issued amber alerts for the following Middle East countries: Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Due to the highly unpredictable security situation in Iran and Israel, the Hong Kong SAR Government advises Hong Kong residents to avoid all travel to Iran and Israel. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and leave or relocate to relatively safe regions immediately. Hong Kong residents who intend to visit Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE or are already there should exercise caution, attend to their personal safety, pay attention to local announcements on the latest situation and notices on consular services from the local Chinese Embassies/Consulates-General. Moreover, while Kuwait is currently not covered by the OTA System, the Security Bureau has updated the OTA webpage regarding supplementary information for Kuwait with a view to reminding residents to exercise caution and attend to personal safety. Any updates will be issued through the media, the bureau's mobile app and the OTA webpage. Hong Kong residents who need assistance can call the 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the department's mobile application. They can also message the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, submit the online assistance request form or contact the local Chinese Embassies. The information provided allows the Immigration Department to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means when necessary.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam will lead a legal services delegation departing tomorrow on a visit to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing. The trip is intended to strengthen exchanges between the legal sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and to promote co-operation in legal and dispute resolution services. The delegation comprises about 40 representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, and local and international law firms. In Shanghai, Mr Lam will lead the delegation in attending a roundtable meeting for Shanghai and Hong Kong lawyers and enterprises, and visit Shanghai’s judicial departments and institutions. During their stay in Hangzhou, the delegation will hold exchange sessions with representatives of the Zhejiang legal community, and visit a local "foreign-related" legal organisation. Moving on to Nanjing, Mr Lam will attend an unveiling ceremony for a legal and business integration service platform between Jiangsu and Hong Kong. During his visit to the Mainland, he will meet various local leaders. Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on March 26. During his absence, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan will be Acting Secretary.
The Immigration Department announced today that starting next Monday, Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks will provide expanded self-service options for Hong Kong identity card and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport replacements. The kiosks are located at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O. From next Monday, the kiosks will accept replacement applications for lost identity cards from eligible persons aged 18 or above. No prior appointment is required. The service will also extend to eligible Hong Kong SAR passport applicants aged 18 or above seeking replacements due to loss, damage, defacement or unavailability. These applicants may also use the kiosks without a booking. Call 2824 6111 for enquiries.