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2024
The Fire Services Department today said it responded to 93.8% of building fire calls in 2023 within the graded response time, surpassing the 92.5% response rate outlined in its performance pledge. Issuing the department’s year-end review, the department said there were a total of 36,103 fire calls in 2023, an increase of 3.8% compared with the previous year. Nine of those calls involved fires equating to a No.3 alarm or above, four more than in the previous year. One of these was a No. 4 alarm fire at a construction site on Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. In all there were 40,763 special services calls in 2023, representing an increase of 15.4% over the previous year. When Hong Kong was hit by its worst rainstorm in 500 years, in September, the department received nearly 800 special services calls, 2.5 times more than usual. Another significant moment in the year came in the wake of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Türkiye last February. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government deployed a 59-strong search and rescue team to the country to assist in relief efforts, and the team succeeded in rescuing four survivors. The department also renewed its efforts in expanding exchange and collaboration with counterparts on the Mainland and overseas in 2023. In addition to co-organising emergency rescue exercises and seminars, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau jointly established the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Fire & Rescue Knowledge Management Platform. The platform facilitates sharing of operational expertise and firefighting and rescue strategies, as well as information such as notifications about the latest fire and ambulance courses, all of which strengthens interconnectivity and mutual communication within the region. Looking ahead, the department is partaking in the implementation of the Greater Bay Area Emergency Response & Rescue Operational Plan, and will sign a co-operation framework agreement on it this year. It expects to recruit 727 personnel for its fire and ambulance streams this year, including 145 at officer rank.
The Government has stepped up patrols and taken enforcement actions on the Internet due to its great concern about the problem of youth drug abuse and the trend in online drug trafficking. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung made the remarks when addressing questions from legislator Lillian Kwok in the Legislative Council today. He pointed out that in the past decade, there has been an overall decrease in the number of reported young drug abusers aged under 21, from 829 in 2014 to 659 in 2023. The number of young people arrested for drug offences has also decreased from 632 to 323 over the same period. Mr Tang said that while the situation is stable, the Government is aware of the potential hidden problem of youth drug abuse in recent years, including the global trend towards online drug dealing. Apart from emphasising that the Internet is not beyond the law, he explained that to tackle the problem of online drug dealing, the law enforcement agencies have stepped up patrols and taken relevant enforcement actions on the Internet as relevant speeches, actions, videos or social media content may serve as evidence of an offence. In the past five years, the number of online drug trafficking cases detected by Police increased from one in 2019 to 17 in 2023. The number of arrestees also increased from 22 to 166. The security chief stressed that law enforcement and preventive education and publicity are equally important in combatting youth drug abuse. He highlighted the Narcotics Division’s Healthy School Programme with a Drug Testing Component, saying its goal is to promote a drug-free school culture by enhancing students’ resolve to stay away from drugs through a wide range of personal growth activities and voluntary school drug testing. Forty-three schools took part in the programme when it was launched in 2011. The current number of participating schools has increased to 237, accounting for nearly half of the 519 secondary schools in Hong Kong, Mr Lee added.
The Government today began a public consultation on its Basic Law Article 23 legislation, with Chief Executive John Lee stressing that the freedoms and rights lawfully enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong will be respected and safeguarded. Announcing the consultation exercise at a press conference this morning, Mr Lee said the Government proposes in its consultation paper that a new Safeguarding National Security Ordinance be enacted to comprehensively address present national security risks and others that may emerge in the future in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Citing the “colour revolution” of 2019 as an example of a recent risk, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR has a constitutional duty to legislate for Article 23 of the Basic Law, as well as a genuine practical need to do so. “We cannot afford to wait. It is for 26 years we have been waiting; we should not wait any longer. The threats to national security, they are real. We have experienced all these threats. We have suffered from them badly. “We do not want to go through that painful experience again.” The consultation paper recommends that the ordinance should cover five major types of acts and activities endangering national security. These are treason and related acts; insurrection, incitement to mutiny and disaffection, and acts with seditious intention; theft of state secrets and espionage; sabotage endangering national security, and related activities; and external interference. Some new offences are also proposed to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for various types of acts and activities endangering national security. Mr Lee iterated that the consultation exercise will be conducted in an open manner and that the freedoms and rights of citizens will be respected. “Our whole consultation process will be open. We will be conducting different sessions to explain our proposal and will welcome views, whether those views relate to points we make in the consultation document or beyond. “We are confident, we are proud and we stand high because the principles we adopt conform with the international standard, and we are doing it in exactly the same way as other countries are doing. “We will be respecting and safeguarding the freedoms and rights lawfully enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong, by organisations in Hong Kong. “Rights and freedoms as stipulated in Basic Law Article 27, as specified in the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights, in the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, will all be respected and carried out in Hong Kong, and it will be recognised in the legislation we will be proposing. “The law we are legislating will have no element at all about sending any arrested persons in Hong Kong to the Mainland, so that is very clear. It is legislation to deal with the activities in Hong Kong, in Hong Kong trials, according to Hong Kong laws.” Members of the public may express their opinions on or before February 28. They may submit their views by email, by fax to 2868 5074, or by post to Security Bureau at 10/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar.
A civil and commercial arrangement between the Mainland and Hong Kong came into operation today. The arrangement involves the Mainland Judgments in Civil & Commercial Matters Ordinance and the Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition & Enforcement of Judgments in Civil & Commercial Matters by the Courts of the Mainland & of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Under the arrangement's new mechanism, the courts of the two places may recognise and enforce reciprocally effective judgments in civil and commercial matters that are made by the courts of the other place and are covered by the arrangement. This reduces the need for parties to re-litigate the same dispute in the Mainland and Hong Kong courts respectively, thereby reducing the risks, legal costs and time usually associated with the cross-boundary enforcement of such judgments. The ordinance was enacted for the purpose of implementing the civil and commercial arrangement in the Hong Kong SAR through local legislation. The new mechanism applies to judgments given by Hong Kong or Mainland courts from today onwards in cases covered by the arrangement. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam remarked that the civil and commercial arrangement showcases the unique advantages enjoyed by Hong Kong under “one country, two systems”. “Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction to have an arrangement with the Mainland on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments with such a wide coverage. The civil and commercial arrangement helps consolidate Hong Kong's status as a regional intellectual property trading centre as well as a regional centre for international legal and dispute resolution services as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.” Mr Lam and Supreme People's Court (SPC) Vice-president Yang Wanming gave an opening speech at the “New Mechanism for Reciprocal Recognition & Enforcement of Civil & Commercial Judgments between the Courts of Mainland and the Hong Kong SAR” seminar, co-organised by the SPC and the Department of Justice today. The seminar, attracting about 300 participants on-site, explains the civil and commercial arrangement as well as the ordinance, including the applicable rules and specific procedures. The public may also visit the thematic website or read the promotional leaflet on the ordinance for details.
With regard to the recent Police operation against illegal use of the Elderly Health Care Voucher (EHCV), the Department of Health today issued a reminder to the public on the proper use of the voucher. The department stressed that members of the public are not allowed to use the vouchers of deceased people, and must not use their vouchers solely for purchasing goods, medical equipment or products, or medication, or redeem them for cash. Under the EHCV scheme, voucher recipients must produce a valid Hong Kong identity card, or a Certificate of Exemption issued by the Immigration Department, to receive in-person healthcare services provided by enrolled health care providers. The department highlighted that, even after spouses have registered for shared use of vouchers, the voucher account balance of a deceased party will not be transferred to the voucher account of their surviving spouse. Anyone attempting to use a deceased person’s voucher account balance with the deceased’s Hong Kong identity card or Certificate of Exemption may be charged with offences such as fraud, the department added. The department reiterated that it conducts regular checks in accordance with its monitoring mechanism, and that all suspected cases of violations of the scheme’s rules, or false declarations, are strictly dealt with. It added that members of the public should abide by the relevant regulations and not defy the law. Making a false declaration is a criminal offence and offenders are liable to a fine or imprisonment upon conviction. The department also reminded enrolled health care providers about the relevant regulations. Call 2838 2311 for enquiries.
The Government today appealed to the public to stay vigilant against TV programme clips created by artificial intelligence circulating online about an investment plan purportedly recommended by the Chief Executive. It stressed that the so-called remarks by the Chief Executive are fictitious and vehemently condemned those who have attempted deception in the name of the Chief Executive. Citizens are urged to be cautious about similar investment-related advertisements or promotional videos and not provide their personal information online, sign up for mobile applications or open any links. They should remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of such content. The incident will be referred to Police for a follow-up investigation.
The courts of the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will not exchange information on the status of the cases or enforcement applications made by the parties, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said today. The DoJ made the statement in response to media enquiries on the Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition & Enforcement of Judgments in Civil & Commercial Matters by the Courts of the Mainland & of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which will come into operation on January 29. The DoJ noted that some discussions suggest that after the arrangement has taken effect, the courts of the two places will notify each other or exchange information on the details or enforcement of the cases. The DoJ pointed out that this is a fallacy. It explained that as an arrangement for mutual legal assistance between the Mainland and Hong Kong in civil and commercial matters, the arrangement only concerns reciprocal recognition and enforcement of civil and commercial judgments of both places. Whether to apply for enforcement of the judgments in the other place is entirely a choice of the parties. Applications for enforcement of judgments are to be initiated by the parties, which is consistent with the current practice for applications for enforcement of foreign judgments in Hong Kong in accordance with the principles under common law and the applicable statutory provisions. Furthermore, some people suggest that after the implementation of the arrangement, “judgments of the Mainland courts would become automatically applicable in Hong Kong, and assets in Hong Kong could be confiscated by the Mainland directly.” The DoJ stated that this is another fallacy and clarified that Mainland judgments will not automatically take effect in Hong Kong, and assets in Hong Kong will not be confiscated by the Mainland directly after the arrangement has come into operation. The creditor under the Mainland judgment must first apply to the Mainland court for a copy of and a certificate for the judgment, then submit together with other documents to the Court of First Instance of the High Court to make a registration application in relation to the Mainland judgment. More importantly, the registrant must notify the other party of the judgment in order to allow that party to consider applying to the Hong Kong court to set aside the registration in accordance with the Mainland Judgments in Civil & Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance. A further application can be made for execution of the Mainland judgment through other legal proceedings on the basis of the Mainland court's judgment only if the registration has not been set aside. The DoJ stressed that in actual fact, the lawful rights of creditors and debtors are fully protected and fairly balanced under the arrangement. Such an arrangement, it added, provides a legal mechanism with a higher degree of certainty and predictability for cross-boundary enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters between the two places, thereby enhancing the business environment.
From January 30, nationals of the Kingdom of Eswatini, including those who remain on the airside in transit, will require a visa to enter Hong Kong for all purposes, the Immigration Department announced today. At present, nationals of the Kingdom of Eswatini may visit Hong Kong visa-free for a stay of up to 90 days. The department said Hong Kong’s visa policy is subject to constant review, and changes will be introduced if circumstances so warrant, with a view to ensuring a proper balance between facilitating the entry of genuine visitors and safeguarding the integrity of immigration control. Apart from pointing out that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders currently require a visa to visit the Kingdom of Eswatini, the department reminded such passport holders to keep abreast of the latest visa regulations before visiting the country in Southern Africa.
The ceremonial opening of the legal year 2024 was held at City Hall today. In his opening remarks, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung stressed that when a court makes an unpopular or even a wrong decision, it does not follow that the justice system or the Judiciary are malfunctioning or that they require reform. He cautioned against a failure to distinguish between judges personally and their decisions or reasoning. “Criticising the judge’s decision or reasons is one thing; questioning the judge’s integrity or professional impartiality is quite another. Likewise, a failure to separate a court decision from the Judiciary as an institution is not helpful to the well-being of the common law system.” He also criticised threats of sanction or reprisal against judges for simply discharging their judicial duties. “Judges must be able to decide cases and explain their decisions in judgments without interference or illegitimate pressure. This is of cardinal importance to judicial independence. Threats of sanction or reprisal against judges for simply discharging their judicial duties are, therefore, repugnant to the rule of law and fundamentally objectionable.” The Chief Justice also highlighted that in the past few years, the work of the Judiciary has often been viewed through the prism of the National Security Law. He said that this has tended to result in a narrow or even distorted picture of judicial work, and more generally of the state of the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong. “But whatever may be said or written about our legal system, of this the community can be sure: our courts and our judges will continue to discharge their constitutional duty to administer justice fairly and efficiently, without fear or favour, self-interest or deceit. This, too, is essential to the continuation of the common law system in Hong Kong.” Mr Cheung also mentioned that the e-litigation platform has already been smoothly implemented in most District Court civil proceedings as well as in summons cases in the Magistrates’ Courts. Its extension to other levels of courts, most importantly the High Court level, is scheduled for this year. Separately, the new District Court Complex in Causeway Bay will be completed and open for use by 2027, while preliminary planning and design work on the new High Court Complex will start very soon, Mr Cheung said. The Queensway Government Offices site adjacent to the existing High Court Building will be reserved for construction of the new High Court Complex. Also speaking at the event, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam emphasised that there is no evidence that the Judiciary’s independent judicial power has been compromised in cases involving national security. “All court hearings relating to national security are, generally speaking, held openly,” he said. “More importantly, all decisions and judgments made by the court in this respect are publicised on the Judiciary’s website, which is accessible for free.” Mr Lam said the real problem is that many people have not bothered to follow court proceedings and study the reasons for decisions and judgments before passing their own judgments. “For any reasonable and objective bystander who is eager to seek the truth, he or she will not see one iota of evidence that the Judiciary's independent judicial power has been compromised in cases involving national security.” He reiterated the Government’s resolve to protect judges and judicial officers. “I wish to make it very clear that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will do its best and take whatever measures (are) within its powers to ensure that judges and judicial officers will be able to perform their judicial functions without fear (of) intimidation.”
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung today gave an upbeat assessment on the recruitment of suitable retired judges from other jurisdictions to serve in Hong Kong, following a successful experience last year. Addressing media questions about finding foreign judges for the Court of Final Appeal (CFA), the chief justice said Mr Justice Patrick Keane, an Australia justice who was appointed a CFA Non-Permanent Judge last year, has been well-satisfied with his experience in Hong Kong. “The views of foreign countries, particularly western countries, regarding the state of the rule of law in Hong Kong, are of course of some importance to people living in those countries, particularly potential judges or retired judges who might be invited to join our Court of Final Appeal as foreign judges, but I am very happy to say that, take last year as an example, we were very happy and pleased to be able to appoint a new Non-Permanent Judge from Australia. “Mr Justice Patrick Keane, before his retirement last year, sat on the highest court in Australia. “He joined our Court of Final Appeal last year and he sat in several appeals heard last year. From my interaction with him, he is very satisfied with the experience. “Now we are continuing with our efforts to recruit suitable retired judges from other jurisdictions to join our court here in Hong Kong.”