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2025
(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.) Chief Executive John Lee said today that Hong Kong will strengthen efforts on all fronts, including co-operating with relevant countries, to rescue Hong Kong people being detained in Southeast Asian countries. Mr Lee made the remarks before attending the Executive Council meeting this morning, explaining that the Government’s efforts to secure the safe return of 10 Hong Kong citizens who are still being detained in Southeast Asian countries will focus on four areas. “First, is a full and thorough investigation together with enforcement.“Second, to enhance co-operation with our partners. There are a lot of players in the whole fight against this crime, including the law enforcement agencies in the relevant countries. “The third thing we will do is to ensure that we will have the right outbound travel alert for Hong Kong citizens. So we have recently raised the outbound travel alert for Myanmar south-eastern regions to red. And also, we have regularly added new information on the Security Bureau’s webpage regarding those areas where this crime is serious and also the new modus operandi. “The fourth area is to continue to strengthen publicity education so as to alert innocent Hong Kong people of the seriousness of this crime, and also to ensure that they get updated information.”
The same principles of law apply in national security cases as in others and the Judiciary is firmly committed to upholding basic rights while safeguarding national security, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung said today. Speaking at the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2025, Mr Cheung noted that the introduction of the Hong Kong National Security Law, complemented by local legislation enacted pursuant to Article 23 of the Basic Law, has brought with it cases that attract heightened attention due to their political sensitivity. “The presumption of innocence, the requirement that guilt be proved beyond reasonable doubt, and the right to a fair trial are all essential safeguards that remain firmly in place. Indeed, they are specifically affirmed under Article 5 of the National Security Law as well as section 2 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.” Noting that tension often exists between protecting basic rights and safeguarding national security, the Chief Justice said the Judiciary is firmly committed to upholding both. He outlined that the protection of basic rights involves a delicate balancing act between individual freedoms and collective security as well as between the rights of the person and the responsibilities of the state, adding that striking the right balance can be challenging and the outcomes in individual cases may be contentious at times. “Nor is the interpretation or application of newly enacted statutory provisions always straightforward. However, it is one thing to disagree with a legal provision or a court decision in applying it, but entirely another to suggest that the justice system has been undermined by political expectations or societal atmosphere.” Pointing out that national security cases only form a small fraction of the courts' work, Mr Cheung acknowledged concerns about the recent departures of some overseas non-permanent judges from the Court of Final Appeal (CFA). “The orchestrated harassment and pressures to which some of our overseas judges have recently been subjected are as deplorable as they are indicative of how politicised the office of an overseas non-permanent judge on the Court has now become. “And it is this broader context, reflective of the underlying geopolitical tensions, that must inform an impartial observer's understanding of the current situation.” Stating that it was unfortunate some of the judges felt unable to continue their service, Mr Cheung said their decisions ought be respected and that the CFA continues to include highly esteemed overseas and local non-permanent judges, and their continued participation alongside their full-time colleagues speaks to the enduring strength and resilience of the Court. “Far more important than all of this, the Judiciary is broader than any individuals. “Judges come and go. But our system is built on legal principles, judicial precedents, and a robust structure that will continue to function.” Also speaking at the event, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam noted that the participation of eminent foreign judges in the work of the CFA not only benefits Hong Kong but also the common law world. He said it was most regrettable that there were attempts from overseas to exert improper pressures on foreign judges to dissociate themselves from the Hong Kong court. “These attempts pose a threat to not only the rule of law in Hong Kong but also the development of common law in general. The Government is in full support of the Judiciary in its continuous efforts to appoint and retain foreign Non-Permanent Judges in future.”
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Shenzhen Municipal Government Vice Mayor Luo Huanghao co-chaired a task force meeting in Hong Kong today on the collaboration for the planning and development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points to continue taking forward relevant work in the planning and development of boundary control points (BCPs). Mr Tang welcomed the arrival of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government leaders as well as members of the Office of Port of Entry & Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and other relevant units, and their participation in the task force meeting to jointly provide innovative thinking to give new impetus to the development of the ports in the two places. He thanked all units of BCPs for their unremitting efforts, especially regarding the special boundary-crossing arrangements at Lo Wu Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Control Point on the recent New Year's Eve, to facilitate the passenger flow between Hong Kong and the Mainland for citizens and visitors to enjoy the festive season. During the meeting, the two delegations discussed the planning and development of land BCPs, including reporting progress and exchanging views on the redevelopment projects of BCPs in Huanggang and Sha Tau Kok, and the transfer of the food control function of Man Kam To Control Point. Other Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials attending the meeting included representatives from the Environment & Ecology Bureau, the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Customs, the Immigration Department, the Architectural Services Department, the Planning Department, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department and the Transport Department.
The Government today raised the outbound travel alert for Myanmar (south-eastern regions) to red, while maintaining an amber alert for the rest of the country. It pointed out that the Security Bureau has always attached great importance to cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. Since the second quarter of 2024, there have been signs of a resurgence in the situation where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. The Government advised residents who plan to visit south-eastern regions of Myanmar, including Myawaddy, Hpapun, Hpa-An and Kawkareik districts, to adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel. It added that those already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution and attend to their personal safety. Moreover, the bureau has already updated the outbound travel alert webpage regarding supplementary information for Cambodia with a view to reminding residents to exercise caution and beware of overseas job scams. The bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation in Myanmar and Cambodia, and issue updates through the media, the bureau's mobile app and the outbound travel alert webpage. Hong Kong residents in Myanmar and Cambodia who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Immigration Department's Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit at (852) 1868. They may also contact the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar at (95) 943209657 or the consular protection hotline in Cambodia at (855) 023210206.
The Security Bureau announced that a Hong Kong resident who had sought assistance from the Immigration Department returned to Hong Kong from Myanmar via Thailand today. The individual concerned came back to the city with the assistance of Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok staff and relevant Thai authorities. Upon arrival, the bureau’s dedicated task force provided assistance to that person and followed up with investigation on the case. The bureau said it attaches great importance to cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung met Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong Chaturont Chaiyakam this morning and thanked the Thai government for sending high-level officials to meet the task force, demonstrating great importance to these cases and offering positive feedback. The officials exchanged views on the cases and discussed follow-up work, with a view to assisting more assistance seekers in returning to Hong Kong safely as soon as possible.Since 2024 to date, law enforcement agencies received a total of 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents alleging to be detained in Southeast Asian countries and unable to leave. Together with the individual who returned to Hong Kong today, 17 of them have already returned. The remaining 11 cases reported restrictions on their movement but were still safe and able to contact their families or the task force.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said it strongly disapproves of and condemns the US’ malicious attack through signing a memorandum which slanders Hong Kong’s rule of law, democracy and human rights situation, and extends and expands the Deferred Enforced Departure eligibility for certain Hong Kong residents in the US. In a press statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that the US, having at least 21 pieces of laws about national security, is in no position to point its finger at Hong Kong’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security. The Hong Kong SAR Government will not fear any hegemonism and intimidation by external forces and firmly rejects their interference Hong Kong affairs, it stressed. In addition to emphasising that the enactment and implementation of the National Security Law has plugged the loopholes in the city’s legal system to safeguard national security, enabling Hong Kong society to move on from chaos to order, and people’s livelihood and economic activities to return to normalcy, the Hong Kong SAR Government highlighted that the city’s rise in world competitiveness rankings to be among the world’s top economies is the best testament to the fact that high-level security protection would underpin high-quality development. Furthermore, the Hong Kong SAR Government noted that the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the National Security Law have jointly established a comprehensive and effective system for building a strong line of defence to maintain Hong Kong’s security and stability, ensuring the effective protection of national security, as well as providing solid institutional safeguards to promote good governance. The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that it will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law. At the same time, it protects the legal interests, rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and other people in Hong Kong in accordance with the law, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”. The US government should immediately stop the malicious smears of and interference in Hong Kong matters which are purely China’s internal affairs, the Hong Kong SAR Government demanded.
Police’s National Security Department conducted searches at a residential unit and a commercial building unit on Hong Kong Island with a warrant on January 13. An investigation suggests that an individual was suspected of using his company to render assistance to a wanted person who has absconded overseas, in continuing activities endangering national security. A batch of exhibits, including computers, a tablet device, mobile phones and bank documents, were seized during the operation. Additionally, a director and two staff members of the company under investigation were invited to the police station to assist in the probe. The investigation is still ongoing and no arrest has been made so far.
From January 15, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders can apply for a tourist visa upon arrival through six designated control points in Saudi Arabia, the Immigration Department announced today. The tourist visa can be either a single-entry visa for a maximum stay of 30 days, or a multiple-entry visa for a maximum stay of 90 days. Hong Kong SAR passport holders may also apply for an eVisa to visit Saudi Arabia prior to their visit, the department noted. Separately, with effect from January 15, the visa-free period for nationals of Saudi Arabia to visit the Hong Kong SAR will be extended to 90 days. The department pointed out that the visa-on-arrival and eVisa arrangements will bring greater travel convenience to Hong Kong SAR passport holders visiting Saudi Arabia. It added that such arrangements, along with the extension of the visa-free visit period for Saudi Arabia nationals, will enhance tourism, cultural and economic ties between the two places.
Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk and members of a dedicated task force from the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department today followed up on cases involving Hong Kong residents suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work by meeting relevant parties under the Thai National Police in Thailand. Mr Cheuk met Thai Senior Inspector General Mr Thatchai Pitaneelaboot in the morning to exchange intelligence on the request-for-assistance cases and received positive feedback. Mr Pitaneelaboot stated that they will further strengthen the prevention and combat of transnational crimes and do their utmost to assist with the safe return of the Hong Kong assistance seekers as soon as possible. Members of the dedicated task force later met Thai National Police Deputy Commissioner General (Crime Prevention & Suppression) Prachuab Wongsuk, to reflect the situation of the request-for-assistance cases. Both sides shared experience and exchanged in-depth views on further strengthening co-operation and jointly combating cross-border crimes such as telecommunications and online fraud as well as human trafficking. In the afternoon, Mr Cheuk had a meeting with Thai Vice Minister For Tourism & Sports Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham and Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Saksira Pheuak-um to learn about the latest measures of to protect tourists, including the 24-hour support service for tourists via an official mobile application and telephone centre. He thanked the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Thai authorities for attaching great importance to the requests for assistance from Hong Kong people, and said they will continue to maintain close liaison with the embassy and the Thai authorities in the future to exchange intelligence on the latest situation of the cases, and to provide appropriate advice and all practicable assistance to the assistance seekers and their families.
Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk today led members of a dedicated task force to Thailand to meet different parties and further follow up on cases involving Hong Kong residents suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. The dedicated task force members are from the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department (ImmD). In the morning, Mr Cheuk and the dedicated task force were received by Minister of Justice (MoJ) of Thailand Tawee Sodsong, who is a member of the Anti Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the Thai Prime Minister, and the heads of the enforcement departments under the MoJ, including the department dedicated to combating human trafficking activities. During the meeting, Mr Cheuk presented the situation regarding relevant request-for-assistance cases and received positive feedback. Both sides also exchanged intelligence. Mr Sodsong said the Thai authorities attached great importance to the situation and will spare no effort in assisting with the safe return of the Hong Kong assistance seekers as soon as possible. In the afternoon, members of the dedicated task force called on Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand Wu Zhiwu. Mr Cheuk thanked the Minister and staff of the Embassy for their deep concern over the cases by continuing to follow up and provide appropriate and practicable assistance as well as their strong support to the work of the ImmD all along. Mr Cheuk and the dedicated task force also had a meeting with officers of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok in the evening.