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2025
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Anti-drug Summit, jointly organised by the Security Bureau's Narcotics Division and the Action Committee Against Narcotics, was held in Hong Kong today, marking the first anti-drug summit hosted by Hong Kong with the Greater Bay Area as the focus. The summit brought together representatives from about 40 government agencies and community anti-drug organisations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to share insights on three major anti-drug topics. Representatives from Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau also joined the meeting upon invitation and shared their anti-drug experiences with attendees. Around 300 participants from the GBA and overseas attended the discussion. Delivering his opening remarks, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said that the summit marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong's anti-drug history. It holds particular significance as it is the first anti-drug summit connecting Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau since the release of the Outline Development Plan for the bay area. Executive Secretary-General of National Narcotics Control Commission & Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Public Security Wei Xiaojun; Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Narcotics Control Commission & Deputy Director-General of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Liang Ruiguo; Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung; and Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region Leong Man-cheong delivered their keynote speeches during the event’s morning session. Mr Wei said that currently, the global drug trend has undergone complex and significant changes. As regards the GBA, it is where drug imports are destined and where drugs are transhipped. It is where transnational cross-boundary drug trafficking activities are plotted and where they are organised and carried out. Drug crimes have been escalating in different forms. Apart from stressing that the National Narcotics Control Commission attaches great importance to the situation of anti-drug work in Hong Kong and Macau, he added that the commission will also fully support the deepening of anti-drug co-operation between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. Mr Liang said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao regions enjoy close geographical ties, share the same cultural roots and are interdependent. Building a drug-free GBA together is a shared responsibility and a mission that must be shouldered. He has made proposals in three aspects: firstly, to continuously deepen co-operation in law enforcement against drug crimes; secondly, to continuously enhance joint handling of drug problems; and thirdly, to continuously deepen anti-drug exchanges. Mr Tang pointed out that it has been 10 years since the GBA was formally incorporated into national policies. At this significant juncture, it is timely to review past anti-drug efforts and look ahead to the future. Over six decades of combatting drugs, Hong Kong has progressively established a comprehensive anti-drug protection net comprising legislation and law enforcement, prevention and education, treatment and rehabilitation, and international co-operation. Looking forward, he said that it must remain highly vigilant in the face of the complex and evolving drug situation and advance future anti-drug co-operation within the bay area. During a panel forum titled "Youth Collaboration for a Drug-free Greater Bay Area", youth representatives from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau shared their experiences in anti-drug work and their perspectives on drug problems.
The Fire Services Department today said it has launched an online Fire Hazard Electronic Complaint Portal. By offering an additional channel for reporting fire hazards such as obstruction to or locking of the means of escape, the department said the portal will enable prompt follow-up of complaints, thereby further safeguarding the community. The portal supports various mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. Users can simply fill in an electronic form and upload supporting photos or videos if necessary. They can also save time on data entry by logging on to the iAM Smart mobile app. Furthermore, the portal features a case tracking function that allows users to check the progress of their complaints. In addition to the online portal, members of the public can continue to report fire hazards via email, by calling the complaint hotline at 2723 8787, or by sending a fax to 2311 0066.
The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit (ICTU) conducted a large-scale counter-terrorism (CT) exercise at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal today. The exercise simulated a scenario in which terrorists attempted to launch an attack upon arriving in Hong Kong via a cruise ship, staging a knife attack and shooting in the terminal lobby. Their accomplices subsequently took a passenger ship hostage, leading to a gunfight with Police onboard. The Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre was activated during the exercise, overseen by Chief Executive John Lee, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung. Mr Lee said that the global terrorism situation remains complex. “As an international city, Hong Kong continues to enjoy overall safety and stability, but the threats posed by international and homegrown terrorism must not be neglected. “Different policy bureaus and departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government must strengthen their co-ordination and response capabilities to address various forms of terrorist attacks. “During this large-scale CT exercise, each department performed its respective duties, fully demonstrating its professional competence in responding to terrorist incidents. The relevant departments will consolidate the experience gained to further strengthen the overall CT work of the Hong Kong SAR Government.” About 500 personnel took part in the exercise. In addition to the Security Bureau and the six ICTU member departments, namely the Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs & Excise Department, the Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department and the Government Flying Service, staff from the Marine Department, the Government Laboratory, the Hospital Authority and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal also actively participated and assisted in co-ordinating the exercise. The ICTU attaches great importance to public engagement. For the first time, the exercise was broadcast live on television and online, enabling the public to observe in real time and further enhance their counter-terrorism awareness. Nearly 200 volunteers from various community and youth organisations across different sectors and age groups were invited to participate in the exercise. To strengthen CT preparedness, the CE's 2024 Policy Address announced the establishment of the Three-tier Prevention Framework. Mr Lee directed at the first Chief Executive Counter-terrorism Steering Group meeting that relevant bureaus and departments should conduct a large-scale interdepartmental CT exercise. Under the co-ordination of the Three-tier Prevention Framework, relevant bureaus and departments will continue to strengthen their CT preparedness in various areas, including enhancing intelligence exchange, expanding community intelligence networks, preventing radicalisation, enhancing public education and organising diverse CT exercises.
The Department of Justice’s Prosecutions Division today released its annual report, Prosecutions Hong Kong 2024, which reviews its prosecution work of the year. In the Director's Overview of the report, Director of Public Prosecutions Maggie Yang emphasised that the cardinal principle of prosecutorial independence as enshrined in the Basic Law Article 63 continues to be the cornerstone of the operations to enable the department to control criminal prosecutions free from any interference. She also stated that the Prosecutions Division’s continued commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability reinforces public trust in the integrity and efficiency of the city's criminal justice system. Apart from stressing that all prosecutorial decisions made by it are based on the law, the evidence and the Prosecution Code, the department noted that prosecutors do not consider, and would not be influenced by irrelevant considerations such as political or individual interests, possible media or public reaction and personal feelings or beliefs of the prosecutors. The report sets out the important achievements made by the Prosecutions Division last year, which include hosting the 11th Asia & Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors, which underscored Hong Kong's unwavering commitment to international collaboration and its constant pursuit of the highest standards of prosecutorial excellence. The event was also a testament to the fact that Hong Kong maintains a robust legal system under the "one country, two systems" principle while enjoying staunch support from the motherland, the department pointed out. It added that the publication gives a detailed account of the key cases handled by each subdivision of the Prosecutions Division.
The Police Force's National Security Department this morning laid a charge against a 19-year-old local woman on one count of “doing with a seditious intention an act or acts that had a seditious intention”. The woman is alleged to have been involved in producing promotional videos for a subversive organisation named the “Hong Kong Parliament” from March to May this year, and appealing to others through social media platforms to vote for the purpose of overthrowing and undermining the central powers of the People's Republic of China or the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The case was due to be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts this afternoon.
Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung led a delegation to Guangzhou today to attend a Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau fire services security meeting in preparation for the 15th National Games (NG). The meeting, attended by representatives from the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Guangdong Fire & Rescue Corps and the Macao Fire Services Bureau, was aimed at ensuring the safe and smooth staging of the NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games. The three parties presented their respective work on ensuring fire safety during the games. They discussed optimising emergency response plans, improvements to safety measures, and enhancing collaboration mechanisms, with a view to optimising co-operation among the three places. Mr Yeung said the FSD is fully committed to supporting security during the NG in Hong Kong by strategically deploying fire and ambulance resources, arranging rapid response teams and medical support, and conducting systematic risk assessments and safety hazard inspections at all competition venues. He added that the department is participating in test events and interdepartmental exercises in order to enhance the emergency response capabilities of staff. Firefighters from the three places visited the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center and the Tianhe Sports Center to learn about fire service installations, safety protection procedures and emergency response plans in detail, and to assess the implementation of safety measures for the competitions. They also visited the NG Main Operation Centre to gain deeper insights into cross-regional and interdepartmental modes of command and co-ordination.
The Guangdong and Hong Kong governments have reached an agreement to allow cross-boundary private cars with closed road permits of Heung Yuen Wai boundary control point (BCP) to cross the boundary via Lok Ma Chau BCP between midnight and 6.30am daily starting tomorrow, the Transport Department announced. Apart from explaining that such arrangements will strengthen greater integration of Guangdong and Hong Kong and enhance clearance efficiency, the department highlighted that both places will closely collaborate to inject momentum into their economic development.
Secretary for Security and Junior Police Call (JPC) Honorary Chief President Tang Ping-keung today officiated at the JPC Summer Camp 2025 opening ceremony, held at the youth group’s Permanent Activity Centre in Pat Heung. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tang highlighted that the JPC, established 51 years ago, plans and promotes diversified activities to enhance a sense of responsibility, confidence and social commitment among young people. He added that the JPC also serves as a key base for fighting crime and a cradle for nurturing future leaders. Mr Tang urged JPC members to fulfil three roles, namely “Anti-drug Ambassadors”, “Fight Crime Partners” and “Youth Leaders”. He and other guests also visited a booth set up by the Police Force’s Narcotics Bureau, and interacted with JPC members while being shown rope course, abseiling and other activity-focused facilities at the centre.
The Government today adjusted the outbound travel alert for Israel and Iran to red in view of the latest developments there. It advised Hong Kong residents to adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel to Israel and Iran. In view of the situation in Israel, Hong Kong residents should avoid all travel to Gaza and nearby areas, as well as areas along the border with Syria and Lebanon. As for Iran, Hong Kong residents should also avoid all travel to areas near the Isfahan, Qom, Markazi and Bushehr provinces. The Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation in Israel and Iran and issue updates through the media, the bureau’s mobile app and its outbound travel alert webpage. Hong Kong residents in Israel and Iran who need assistance can call the Immigration Department’s 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the department’s mobile app. They can also send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit an online assistance request form. Alternatively, they may contact the local Chinese Embassy by calling the Embassy in Israel at (972) 35459520 or the Embassy in Iran at (98) 9122176035.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki visited Shenzhen this morning to meet Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government Qin Weizhong with a view to better addressing the increasing demand for cross-boundary travel. The number of passenger trips between Hong Kong and Shenzhen has recorded new highs over and over again in the past weekends. The total cross-boundary passenger traffic on August 10 reached 1.34 million, surpassing all previous records. The Liantang Port/Heung Yuen Wai boundary control point (BCP), in particular, is a popular choice among Mainland tour groups. During peak hours, some Mainland tour groups had to wait for a longer time on the Shenzhen side before crossing the boundary into Hong Kong. With the implementation of multipronged measures, the waiting time for both outbound and inbound travellers at the Hong Kong BCP is less than 15 minutes. Mr Chan shared that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been proactively preparing for peak weekend passenger traffic, including operating additional counters and e-Channels, as well as setting up temporary counters at BCPs. Through flexible manpower deployment, all clearance counters and kiosks at busy BCPs are operated to ease passenger and vehicular flows, ensuring smooth and orderly immigration clearance. At the meeting, both sides agreed that the government departments of the two places at BCPs will strengthen communication and co-operation further, and plan ahead in response to the latest trends. Both sides will also reinforce the existing joint notification mechanism to improve communication, information sharing and dissemination, with the aim of enhancing the clearance capacity of BCPs. Given the popularity of the Liantang Port/Heung Yuen Wai BCP among Mainland tour groups, and the concentrated arrival of these groups at weekends, both sides will actively explore ways to strengthen strategic communication and collaboration and further share operational experience with the goal of enhancing the experience of Mainland tour groups crossing the boundary into Hong Kong. Noting that the number of cross-boundary passenger trips between Hong Kong and Shenzhen continues to hit record highs, Mr Chan said that not only does this fully reflect the mutual engagement between the people of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, but it also continuously injects momentum into the economic development of both places. He thanked the Shenzhen Municipal Government for its ongoing and strong support for BCP operations. He also thanked relevant departments of the two places at BCPs for their long-term and close co-operation in managing every peak travel period together. Also attending the meeting were Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok and Commissioner of Customs & Excise Chan Tsz-tat. Mr Chan and the delegation returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon.