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2024
The Government announced today that the Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC) Scheme is being expanded to cover prospective self-employed persons, in order to strengthen the protection of children and mentally-incapacitated persons (MIPs). Prospective self-employed persons include private tutors, music teachers, sports coaches and persons providing door-to-door services. The SCRC Scheme remains voluntary in nature and employers may decide whether record checks are necessary after assessing the risks. Applicants can submit application forms and supporting documents, enquire about their application status and pay application fees via the Police Force Online Applications Platform. In addition to the SCRC Office at the Police Headquarters, a 24-hour fingerprint-taking service is available at six police stations throughout Hong Kong: North Point, Yau Ma Tei, Ngau Tau Kok, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan. The validity period of applications submitted from today onwards will be extended from 18 months to 36 months to reduce reapplications and renewal applications. The Government launched the SCRC Scheme in 2011 to enable employers of persons undertaking child-related or MIP-related work to check whether prospective employees have any criminal conviction records against a specified list of sexual offences.The scheme formerly covered prospective employees, contract renewal staff, and staff assigned by outsourced service providers to other organisations, who apply for child-related or MIP-related work. The Government will consider further expansion of the scheme to cover all volunteers. The ultimate goal is for the scheme to cover all existing employees and self-employed people.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today attended the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) Beijing Representative Office. Mr Lam also met officials from the State Council's Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the Department of Justice’s major policy measures. Addressing the opening ceremony of the HKIAC Beijing Representative Office, Mr Lam stressed that the HKIAC is the first arbitral institution outside the Mainland to establish an office in Beijing, thereby marking a new milestone. He outlined that the office will enable Beijing to become more internationalised and diversified in the field of arbitration, adding that he looks forward to seeing Beijing and Hong Kong continue to enhance their co-operation on legal matters and dispute resolution. Under the Arbitration Ordinance, the HKIAC is the sole appointing authority responsible for appointing arbitrators and determining the number of arbitrators when the parties to a dispute fail to reach an agreement. It is also one of the seven designated arbitral institutions under the “Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings by the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”. Yesterday evening, the justice chief had dinner with Supreme People’s Court Vice-President Mao Zhonghua. Mr Lam will tomorrow meet Minister of Justice He Rong to brief her on the establishment of a dedicated platform for Greater Bay Area (GBA) lawyers and a GBA legal information platform. They will also discuss the work of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and relevant training for foreign-related legal talent. Mr Lam will conclude his visit to Beijing and return to Hong Kong after the meeting.
The Correctional Services Department today announced that the Approved Hand-in Articles e-Ordering Service will be fully implemented on December 17 to facilitate the visitation of visitors. Since September 10, the service has been running on a trial basis at different correctional institutions in phases, to enable relatives and friends of persons in custody (PICs) to purchase approved hand-in articles for PICs via an online platform. The articles will be directly delivered to the correctional institutions by the supplier. The department said positive responses have been received since the launch of the service trial run, which can reduce time for visitors to source the articles in the market and the inconvenience of carrying the articles to the correctional institutions. It added that the service also shortens the time for correctional officers to conduct security checks and handle the articles, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of correctional institutions. The department emphasised that the service aims to bring convenience to the public by providing them with an additional option. Visitors can continue to purchase articles for PICs using existing methods. Visitors must be declared visitors of PICs to register for a user account on the Social Visit e-Services Platform before using the service. They can register for an account through the “iAM Smart” mobile application, the Social Visit e-Services Platform webpage or at the correctional institution where the PIC is admitted. Click here for details.
The Immigration Department today announced that from tomorrow, people can apply for Hong Kong identity cards (HKID) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports in one go through the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks. Currently, the kiosks are set up at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O. Starting tomorrow, eligible applicants can complete the application procedures, including electronic form filling and signing, photo taking, fingerprint taking and application submission, at the kiosks in a self-service manner without the need to meet the department's registration officer in person. The services provided by the kiosks are appointment-free. The first phase of the new services will cover the three types of replacement applications of HKID holders who are applying for the replacement for an adult HKID for people reaching the age of 18; the replacement for a permanent HKID for people having their eligibility for permanent HKID verified; and the replacement for a new smart HKID for those holding a valid old form of smart HKID. After the launch of the new services, eligible applicants can also apply for HKIDs and Hong Kong SAR passports in one go through the kiosks without the need to repeatedly undergo identity verification, photo taking and form filling. Eligible applicants can collect HKIDs and Hong Kong SAR passports in one go in a self-service manner through the Personal Documentation Collection Kiosks, which are also located at the Immigration Headquarters. Also starting tomorrow, the department will shorten the processing time for the new smart HKID to five working days from the current seven. Applicants can collect the new HKID on the next working day after the completion of processing by the department. Call 2824 6111, send a fax to 2877 7711 or email [email protected] for enquiries. Click here for details of the Personal Documentation Kiosks.
Police have reported that a second stress test, held today at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground and Kai Tak Arena, both at the Kai Tak Sports Park, ran smoothly. The test was held to evaluate the capabilities of the venues, and nearby facilities, in hosting events at close to full capacity. Under the co-ordination of the force's Exercise Team, the test covered five specific aspects: security screening and ticket checks; inter-agency co-ordination in response to emergencies; emergency evacuation plans; arrangements at a bus and taxi pick-up and drop-off area on Sung Wong Toi Road; and passenger flow management measures at MTR stations. The Security Bureau, the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, the Transport & Logistics Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, the Home Affairs Department, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department and the Leisure & Cultural Services Department all participated in the test. Other participating organisations included the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, the Kai Tak Sports Park Limited and St. John Ambulance. Around 11,000 Government employees from more than 20 bureaus or departments, and around 1,000 community members, including local residents, were also invited to participate. The force said it will work in concert with relevant Government bureaus, departments and organisations to adopt an incremental approach in conducting further test events and stress tests. It added that it will continuously review and enhance various aspects to ensure full preparedness for the sports park's official commissioning.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today visited the test centre for the Hong Kong civil service Common Recruitment Examination in Shanghai and a digital technology company in Hangzhou. In the morning, Mr Tang met officers from the Police Recruitment Division of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) at the test centre. He was briefed on publicity activities and the on-site recruitment of inspectors and police constables, as well as the overall recruitment situation for the HKPF on the Mainland. Mr Tang then met Hong Kong people living in Shanghai and spoke to them about the Security Bureau's key policy initiatives for next year and the efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to facilitate the flow of talent. He also held in-depth exchanges with them regarding their business operations and the challenges they face. In the afternoon, he visited Hikvision Digital Technology to gain a better understanding of how video sensing and artificial intelligence technology are being used to maintain law and order, and to assist in crime investigations and emergency rescue activities. Mr Tang will visit the Asian Games Stadium in Hangzhou and meet leaders of Zhejiang Province Public Security Department tomorrow. He said he hoped to take lessons in relation to security management and the application of technology from Hangzhou's experience of hosting the Asian Games last year as Hong Kong undertakes security preparations ahead of hosting the 15th National Games next year. In addition, Mr Tang will meet Hong Kong businessmen and students in Hangzhou to hear about their experience of its business and educational environment. He will also visit the headquarters of the Alibaba Group to learn about its development of technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today met Shanghai Vice Mayor and Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau Director Zhang Yahong, and visited the Shanghai Customs College (SCC) on day two of his Shanghai trip. Mr Tang told Mr Zhang that the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s law enforcement departments have long maintained close co-operation, achieving remarkable results in areas such as the prevention and combatting of cross-boundary crimes as well as training and exchanges. The security chief also hoped both parties could deepen collaboration and give full play to their respective professional strengths to jointly safeguard national security, prosperity and stability. At the SCC, Mr Tang met its Vice Presidents Yue Long and Wang Xiaogang. Noting that the college and Hong Kong Customs have been collaborating in various aspects of training, he said the SCC has, since last year, been providing training on national studies and Mainland customs duties for all new Customs & Excise Department inspectors to strengthen exchanges. This enhances the professional knowledge and capabilities of customs personnel on both sides to cope with the opportunities and challenges brought by the flows of people and trade in the future, he added. Arriving in Shanghai yesterday, the security chief toured the latest self-service passenger clearance system jointly developed by the Shanghai Airport Authority and the Hongqiao Station of Immigration Inspection. He also visited the Artificial Intelligence Data Center of SenseTime to explore the application of artificial intelligence on security work. Mr Tang will depart for Hangzhou tomorrow.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, leading a Hong Kong delegation of foreign-related legal talent, visited Shenzhen on day two of his trip to Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area. Upon their arrival in Shenzhen this morning, they called on Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Deputy Secretary-General Wu Jing. They also met representatives from the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, the Justice Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Shenzhen Lawyers Association and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality. As a result of the meeting, they gained a better understanding of Shenzhen’s latest developments on various fronts, including innovative technology, and explored strengthening co-operation on legal services between the two places. At noon, Mr Lam and the delegation visited the Shenzhen Reform & Opening-Up Exhibition Hall at the Shenzhen Museum to learn more about the city's development and history and achievements of Guangdong's reform and opening up. The group then visited the Shenzhen Qianhai Cooperation Zone People's Court (Qianhai Court) and held discussions with judges from the China International Commercial Court of the Supreme People's Court, the High People's Court of Guangdong Province and the Qianhai Court. Also participating were representatives from the China International Economic & Trade Arbitration Commission, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, the Mediation Centre of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shenzhen Municipal Committee, the Benchmark Chambers International & Benchmark International Mediation Center, and Shenzhen lawyers specialising in foreign-related matters. The meeting enabled the delegation to gain a better understanding of the latest developments of the China International Commercial Court and the construction of a multifaceted dispute resolution mechanism. Through discussions on topical issues relating to foreign-related commercial disputes and sharing practical experiences in tackling related issues, participants explored specific directions for the Hong Kong legal sector to make more contributions. The Secretary for Justice and his delegation plan to conclude their visit and return to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, leading a delegation of over 30 representatives of foreign-related legal talent from Hong Kong, arrived in Guangzhou today for the start of his visit to Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area. In the morning, Mr Lam called on the People's Government of Guangdong Province where he met Guangdong Province Vice-Governor Liu Guozhou. Mr Lam also had a meeting with government officials there to learn about the latest developments in Guangdong Province and the bay area. They exchanged views on the opportunities for further co-operation between the Hong Kong legal sector, and the Mainland authorities, legal and business sectors. The meeting was joined by representatives from the province’s Department of Justice, Development & Reform Commission, State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission and the Department of Commerce, as well as the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of Guangdong Province. In the afternoon, Mr Lam and the delegation held discussions with representatives from the Guangdong legal and business sectors, including the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee, the Guangdong Lawyers Association, the Guangdong Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment and the Guangdong Federation of Industry & Commerce. Through exchanges on common practical issues, the two sides explored foreign-related legal issues relevant to Guangdong enterprises going global, including corporate finance and the handling of foreign-related commercial disputes, and shared practical experiences in tackling such issues. The participants also explored how law firms in both places can further co-operate and provide high-quality legal services to jointly contribute to the construction of the country's foreign-related rule of law. In the evening, Mr Lam and the group will visit the Shamian Cluster, one of the heritage revitalisation and conservation projects in Guangzhou, which is a national heritage conservation unit listed by the State Council.
The Security Bureau led its disciplined services to hold the Constitution Day Flag Raising Ceremony at the Customs College on Constitution Day today, with a view to strengthening public understanding of the constitutional basis and order of the country and Hong Kong, as well as promoting the spirit of the Constitution. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam officiated at the ceremony. The disciplined services ceremonial guard and flag party, comprising more than 100 members, performed the Chinese-style foot drill as they marched into the venue where they conducted the flag-raising ceremony during the playing and singing of the national anthem with a fly-past by a helicopter of the Government Flying Service (GFS). The ceremony was concluded by the Customs & Excise Band's military tattoo. Addressing the ceremony, Mr Lam said that Constitution Day has entered its second decade, noting that Hong Kong's constitutional order is based on the Constitution and the Basic Law, which are the root and origin of the city. Apart from highlighting that the Constitution provides the most fundamental and solid legal protection for “one country, two systems”, he stressed that Hong Kong should make full use of all the unique advantages brought about by “one country, two systems” and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests to maintain the city's long-term prosperity and stability. Mr Lam added that public awareness of the Constitution should be nurtured from an early age, and members of the disciplined services should act as guardians and defenders of the Constitution and spare no effort in discharging the duty of safeguarding national security. Participating disciplined services in the flag-raising ceremony included the Customs & Excise Department, the Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Immigration Department, the Correctional Services Department and the GFS.