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2025
Chief Executive John Lee has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) that William Gillow Gibbes Austen Young be appointed as a non-permanent Court of Final Appeal judge. Subject to the Legislative Council’s endorsement, the Chief Executive will make the appointment under Article 88 of the Basic Law and section 9 of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance. Mr Lee announced that he is pleased to accept the JORC's recommendation, noting that Mr Young retired from his role as a Permanent Judge of New Zealand’s Supreme Court, that country's final court of appeal, in April 2022. “He is a judge of eminent standing and reputation," the Chief Executive said. "I am confident that he will contribute substantively to the Court of Final Appeal.” Mr Lee highlighted that with Mr Young’s appointment, the panel of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions will consist of six eminent judges from the UK, Australia and New Zealand. “The presence of these esteemed overseas jurists as non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal is a manifestation of the independence of the Judiciary in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as protected by the Basic Law. “Their participation demonstrates a high degree of confidence in the Hong Kong SAR’s judicial system, and enables Hong Kong to maintain strong links with other common law jurisdictions.” The Chief Executive expressed confidence that distinguished jurists bringing profound judicial experience from overseas will remain a unique strength of Hong Kong's judicial system. Article 90 of the Basic Law and section 7A of the ordinance provide that the Chief Executive shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council on the appointment of Court of Final Appeal judges. The Government will seek such an endorsement in due course.
The Security Bureau held an interdepartmental pre-typhoon tabletop exercise today at the Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre (EMSC) in the Central Government Offices. The exercise aimed to enhance the emergency response and collaboration of bureaus, departments and other parties concerned in handling possible emergency situations if Hong Kong is struck by a super typhoon. According to the Hong Kong Observatory's forecast, five to eight tropical cyclones are expected to hit the city this year. The tropical cyclone season will begin in June or earlier, and end in October or later. To ensure comprehensive preparedness, representatives from around 40 bureaus, departments and other parties participated in this year's exercise. The exercise simulated a scenario in which a super typhoon and heavy rainstorm battered Hong Kong, causing widespread destruction, property damage and serious blockage of main thoroughfares. Participants were required to outline their response measures under different scenarios. The exercise served as an interdisciplinary platform for the participants to share their experience and expertise, and enabled the participating parties to gain a deeper understanding of the operation of the EMSC as well as their respective roles and responsibilities, with a view to enhancing the preparedness and interdepartmental collaboration in responding to threats posed by super typhoons.
The Department of Justice is presenting a drama titled "Rule of Law Academy - Adventure to the Stars", aimed at promoting rule of law education to senior primary students and their parents, at the Cultural Centre's Grand Theatre today and tomorrow. The drama is part of the “Rule of Law through Drama” project and the two performances, marking Rule of Law Drama Day, are expected to attract about 2,000 attendees. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan will play the roles of the Principal and Vice-principal of the Rule of Law Academy respectively. In the drama, they lead students on a thrilling adventure to learn about respect, integrity, justice and abiding by the law, conveying the message of “uphold justice, uphold the rule of law”. By integrating knowledge and creativity with rich interactive elements, the drama aims to encourage students and parents to embody integrity, mutual respect, equality and law-abiding awareness in their daily choices and actions, and to make rule of law education an integral part of family education. Since its launch in 2021, the “Rule of Law through Drama” project has involved over 300 drama performances for primary schools in various districts across the territory.
Police’s National Security Department (NSD) arrested two men, aged 35 and 68, in Tseung Kwan O on April 30 on suspicion of committing crimes in contravention of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the Crimes Ordinance, and laid a charge against the 68-year-old man today.The Secretary for Security exercised the powers conferred by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify seven absconded fugitives, including Kwok Fung-yee, for being suspected of having committed offences endangering national security, and to specify the measures to be applied against the relevant absconders by notices published in the Gazette on December 24, 2024. Investigations revealed that the two arrestees assisted Kwok Fung-yee in changing the details of an insurance policy and attempted to withdraw its remaining value. The NSD laid a charge against the 68-year-old man with one count of "attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources belonging to, or owned or controlled by, a relevant absconder". The case was due to be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon, while the other arrested man was released on bail pending further investigations. Police reminded the public that dealing with funds belonging to a relevant absconder is a serious crime and offenders are liable to seven years’ imprisonment on first conviction, and urged them not to defy the law.
The Police Force’s National Security Department has charged a 22-year-old man with one count of knowingly publishing material with seditious intent, in contravention of Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The man is accused of repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intent on online platforms, including content provoking hatred, contempt or disaffection against the fundamental system of the state established by the Constitution, and inciting others to break the law. The man was arrested in Kowloon on Monday. The case was due to be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon.
The Government today announced the public transport arrangements for the Mainland's Labour Day Golden Week, noting that a large number of people, vehicles and visitors are expected to travel from the Mainland and Macau via land-based boundary crossing points (BCPs), particularly on May 1, 3 and 5. The Transport Department has co-ordinated with local and cross-boundary public transport operators to strengthen services during the holidays, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus to less than one minute during peak hours, and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus to about two minutes at its highest frequency as well as increasing the quota of cross-boundary coaches. The frequency of local franchised bus B routes connecting various land-based BCPs will also be increased to a level higher than that of normal weekends and Sundays, and franchised bus operators will reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet passengers’ needs. Meanwhile, the MTR Corporation will enhance East Rail Line train services between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau at different times from May 1 to 5. As the waiting time for public transport services may be longer, passengers should make their journeys during non-peak hours, observe order while queuing and heed advice from Police and transport operators. Passengers of cross-boundary coaches should also reserve their tickets in advance. Subject to traffic conditions, special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Port from May 1 to 5 to allow smooth access of public transport vehicles. Cross-boundary private cars may need to queue up for crossing the BCPs and motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. People can use the HKeMobility mobile app to access snapshots of the traffic conditions at inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. The department’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will operate around the clock to monitor the traffic and public transport services of different districts including BCPs and major stations. Latest traffic information will be disseminated through various channels.
The Health Bureau’s Primary Healthcare Commission announced the suspected hacking of the outsourced network system of the Kwai Tsing District Health Centre (Kwai Tsing DHC) on April 27, resulting in a possible leakage of members’ data. Such data include members’ names, membership numbers, dates of birth, residential districts, and the first four digits of the Hong Kong Identity Card of some members who have enrolled in a vaccination programme. The operator is currently assessing the possible number of members affected and the data involved. The commission stressed that it is highly concerned about the incident, and has instructed the Kwai Tsing Safe Community & Healthy City Association, the operator of the Kwai Tsing DHC, to seriously follow up and submit a report within three working days. According to the operator, the system involved is managed independently by its outsourced service provider, and is mainly used to assist with administrative work such as service booking or members sign-in at the Kwai Tsing DHC. The Primary Healthcare Commission noted that in addition to reporting the incident to Police as well as the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, the operator has also notified the Digital Policy Office. As required by the commission, the operator has immediately suspended the operation of the Kwai Tsing DHC’s network system and all external connections to its computer servers to prevent further intrusion attempts by hackers. An independent cybersecurity expert has also been hired to conduct an investigation and review. Due to the system suspension, the appointments on blood taking and seasonal influenza vaccination of relevant Kwai Tsing DHC members will be rescheduled. The operator has started to notify those members via phone calls and text messages, and will also inform all its members of the hacking incident. Furthermore, for the sake of prudence, as the Kwai Tsing DHC is a registered healthcare provider on eHealth, the operator’s eHealth registration has been suspended in order to protect the data privacy and system security of eHealth. During the suspension period, the Kwai Tsing DHC is unable to gain access to any electronic health record in eHealth. The Kwai Tsing DHC’s connection with eHealth will only resume once security risks are fully eliminated. Call 1878 222 for enquiries.
The Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) today held an open day event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its establishment, with activities aimed at enhancing the public’s awareness of national security and deepening their understanding of its services. Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said at the event that the AMS provides a wide range of services to the public, such as participation in anti-epidemic operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and deployment to hospitals to assist healthcare professionals during the influenza seasons. The other regular duties of the AMS consists of giving first aid coverage during large-scale public events, in country parks and cycling tracks during weekends and public holidays. He added that training of the AMS has well-equipped its members to respond to challenges involving national security risks and emergencies such as “biosecurity” and “nuclear security” at any time. The open day activities included game booths, medical seminars, health screenings, healthcare professional symposiums and display of emergency vehicles, giving the visitors access to health information and insights into developments in healthcare professions.
The Transport Department today alerted citizens to fraudulent websites claiming to be those of the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme which seek to deceive AlipayHK users under the scheme into providing personal data, including mobile phone numbers and credit card accounts. The addresses of such websites are http[:]//alipaiyhk[.]online/hk/Login.html, and https[:]//fet-woxx[.]online/hk. The department clarified that the fraudulent websites are in no way affiliated with the scheme. The case has been referred to Police for follow-up. It also reminded the public that AlipayHK’s mobile app is the only channel for checking and collecting the transport subsidy under AlipayHK. Moreover, enquiry services about the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme in relation to AlipayHK are only provided via the AlipayHK mobile app and the designated hotline 3002 0905. The department further advised members of the public to stay alert when receiving unidentified messages and not visit suspicious websites or disclose any personal information. Anyone who has provided personal data to the websites concerned should contact Police. Call 3002 0905 for enquiries.
The Customs & Excise Department today held an open day at the Customs College to promote national security education, with more than 1,000 students taking part. Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing attended the event and officiated at an eye-dotting ceremony for a dragon and lion dance performance. Besides an exhibition on the department's work to safeguard national security, the open day featured performances by its detection dog team, and a dragon and lion dance team. There was also a display of firearms and weapons, while game booths and an inflatable jumping castle were set up for children to enjoy. Games, including virtual reality simulations of customs operations, showcased the department's gatekeeping role in an interactive manner. Meanwhile, a recruitment booth featuring fitness tests – including an isometric strength test and a standing long jump test – gave attendees an understanding of the department's fitness requirements.