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2025
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.
Security Bureau officials will lead members of a dedicated task force of Police and the Immigration Department to Thailand today to follow up on cases of Hong Kong residents allegedly lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. The bureau made the announcement and explained that the dedicated task force was established to co-ordinate action by the relevant law enforcement agencies given that 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. It added that in view of recent developments, the task force will further follow up on the request for assistance cases. Since the second quarter of 2024, there have been signs of a resurgence of Hong Kong residents suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to undertake illegal work, the bureau pointed out. Law enforcement agencies have so far received 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents alleged to have been detained in Southeast Asian countries and unable to leave. Among them, 16 have returned to Hong Kong. While the remaining 12 cases reported restrictions on their movement, the bureau stated that they are safe and able to contact their families or the task force. The dedicated task force will meet officials of the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Thailand sitting on the Anti Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand, as well as the Thai authorities to exchange intelligence and ask the relevant authorities to assist as much as they can in the rescue of such assistance seekers.
The Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution established by the Department of Justice (DoJ) earlier this month held its first meeting today. During the meeting, the advisory committee considered and endorsed its terms of reference and discussed future work and issues for follow-up, promoting the development of sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong at full steam. As announced in the Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address, the Government will explore establishing a sports dispute resolution system and promote sports arbitration, leveraging the institutional advantages of Hong Kong in dispute resolution. In this regard, the Government supports the industry in launching a pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong within 2025. The advisory committee, chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, comprises representatives from the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong. The advisory committee will advise the Government on the design, setting up and implementation of the pilot scheme. Mr Cheung said that sports disputes are unique and require specific professional knowledge for resolution. As the global sports market continues to grow rapidly, disputes are becoming more diverse and complex, giving rise to an increasing demand for resolution services dedicated to sports disputes. He highlighted that Hong Kong offers all-round dispute resolution services, featuring robust and reliable arbitration and mediation systems, along with a wealth of arbitrators and mediators with sports expertise. These give Hong Kong a distinctive edge in becoming a regional or even international sports dispute resolution centre. Mr Cheung said that the DoJ has always been principled and innovative in striving for development in Hong Kong, and the advancement of sports dispute resolution can open up further opportunities for growth. He added that in the future, the Government will work with the advisory committee to actively carry out preparatory work for the pilot scheme, with hopes to officially launch it within this year to promote the wider use of sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong.