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2026
Director of Immigration Benson Kwok said today that around 335 million passengers passed through Hong Kong's control points in 2025, representing an increase of about 12% over 2024 and marking a new record high that surpasses the 300 million figure recorded in 2019. Mr Kwok hosted a press conference to review the work of the Immigration Department over the past year and to look ahead to the future. He revealed that the total number of visitor arrivals last year was around 49.89 million, a 12% increase year on year. In 2025, the department won the Skytrax Award for Best Airport Immigration Service for the fifth time in the World Passenger Survey commissioned by Skytrax, an international specialist research agency for the air transport industry. On law enforcement, the department conducted a total of 19,980 operations against illegal employment activities, up 12% compared to 2024. It also conducted a total of 13,853 counter-terrorism related inspection operations at various immigration control points, with 22,207 passengers being intercepted for enquiries. Mr Kwok also mentioned that the department determined over 2,500 non-refoulement claims in 2025. As at the end of 2025, there were about 650 claims pending screening. Looking ahead, Mr Kwok revealed that the department will establish Hong Kong's first contactless clearance pilot checkpoint at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. It will enable identity verification through facial recognition technology, allowing for unimpeded immigration clearance. The contactless clearance pilot scheme is anticipated for launch in the second quarter of this year. In addition, starting from the current quarter, a total of 26 new additional e-Channels will be installed gradually at the airport’s arrival hall, while the existing 26 e-Channels will be replaced in stages. Meanwhile, the applicable age of the Flight Token e-Channel service will be extended to 7 years old or above from the second quarter of this year onwards to benefit more departing eligible Hong Kong residents and visitors. The department is also working with the Marine Department on a proposal to conduct preliminary vetting of the information of the crew and passengers of visiting yachts by using the Marine Department’s electronic business system, thereby shortening the time for immigration clearance.
To facilitate festive events occurring on the first two days of the Lunar New Year, the Government will roll out special traffic and transport arrangements at various locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. In connection with the International Chinese New Year Night Parade due to be held in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8pm on February 17, the first day of the Lunar New Year, special road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases starting from 3.30pm that day. They will remain in place until the roads reopen at about 11.45pm. With regard to the Lunar New Year fireworks display, which will be staged at 8pm on February 18, special traffic arrangements will be in force on both sides of Victoria Harbour starting from 5pm. During the road closure hours for both events, taxi stands, including pick-up and drop-off points, public light bus stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks on the roads affected will not be in use. In addition, the Marine Department will implement marine traffic control measures and strengthen inspections of spectator vessels to ensure that safety requirements are met.
The Customs & Excise Department handled a total of 38,869 cases in 2025, up 24% on the figure for 2025. Commissioner of Customs & Excise Chan Tsz-tat announced the figures today during a press conference reviewing the department’s work last year. Among the cases handled by the department, a majority of 75% were in relation to illicit cigarettes. This was followed by cases involving dangerous drugs and intellectual property rights infringement cases. Mr Chan highlighted that the number of cases involving illicit cigarettes in 2025 was up by 36% on 2024, reaching 29,037. The number of cigarettes seized stood at 604 million, about the same as in 2024. He explained that the increase in the number of illicit cigarette cases stemmed from a huge surge in those involving inbound individuals exceeding their duty-free allowances. Mr Chan also outlined that the department handled 961 drug cases in 2025, down 29% from 2024. About 7.5 tonnes of drugs were seized, a 19% rise year-on-year. Customs also detected 43 cases involving etomidate last year. About 25.2kg of etomidate and 4,387 etomidate capsules were seized, and 43 people were arrested. Meanwhile, a total of 286 smuggling cases, comprising a seizure value of $4.217 billion, were handled last year, representing a 22% increase in the number of cases, and a 2% drop in the seizure value as against the figures for 2024. As regards intellectual property rights infringements, Customs detected 723 cases last year, with the value of infringing items seized rising 35% to around $420 million. Mr Chan also outlined the department’s work on clearance and trade facilitation, noting that the Single Window Phase 3 services will be implemented in batches, with the first-batch service rolling out in the middle of this year to replace the existing Road Cargo System.
A total of 89,137 crimes were reported in 2025, representing an increase of 5.9% compared to the figure for 2024, Police said today. The vast majority of major crimes recorded decreases. Robbery and burglary cases both marked the lowest figure since records began in 1969. There were 66 robbery cases, a decrease of 26.7%, with the detection rate reaching a high of 90.9%. A total of 816 burglary cases were recorded, representing a drop of 33.1%. The force noted that it began deploying drones for anti-burglary operations on high-risk days during long holidays last year. Consequently, burglaries during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays fell by 23.9% to 50%. Following the implementation of the SmartView project - a Government-led initiative to install closed-circuit television in public places - the detection rates for various street crimes rose by 2.5 to 22.8 percentage points, while crime figures dipped by 3.1% to 71.8%. As to the national security situation, since the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance came into force as at the end of 2025, Police's National Security Department arrested a total of 385 people, with more than half having been charged. The overall detection rate was 30.3%, similar to that of 2024.
The Security Bureau said today that the Secretary for Security intends to recommend that the Chief Executive-in-Council order the Registrar of Companies to strike three companies relating to Apple Daily off the Companies Register. The Secretary for Security has issued written notices to the three companies – Apple Daily, Apple Daily Printing and AD Internet – affording them an opportunity to make written representations by February 25 before a recommendation is made. Any written representations submitted by the three companies will be submitted together to the Chief Executive-in-Council for a decision on whether or not to make the order, the Security Bureau said. In a statement, the bureau noted that Lai Chee-ying and the three companies related to Apple Daily were convicted on December 15, 2025, of three charges involving offences endangering national security. The court handed down sentences on Monday, ordering each of the three companies to pay a fine of HK$3,004,500. The statement added that Article 31 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) stipulates that the operation of an incorporated or unincorporated body such as a company or an organisation shall be suspended or its licence or business permit shall be revoked if the body has been punished for committing an offence under the law. It also pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has a responsibility to enforce the relevant provisions in Article 31 of the HKNSL regarding the three companies related to Apple Daily. Citing the serious nature of the offences and recent convictions, the bureau stated that the Secretary for Security now considers it necessary to prohibit the operation of the three companies related to Apple Daily to safeguard national security. Consequently, the Secretary for Security plans to recommend that the Chief Executive-in-Council exercise the powers under section 360C of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance to order the Registrar of Companies to strike the three companies off the Companies Register. The statement noted that if the Chief Executive-in-Council eventually decides to order the Registrar of Companies to strike the three companies relating to Apple Daily off the Companies Register, the three companies will become “prohibited organisations”. It added that any person who engages in the acts specified in sections 62 to 65 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance commits an offence, including acting as an office-bearer or a member of a prohibited organisation and giving aid of any kind to a prohibited organisation, and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for 14 years.
(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.) Chief Executive John Lee has welcomed the publication by central authorities of a white paper on Hong Kong’s efforts to safeguard national security, and pledged the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s full support in implementing the document. The State Council Information Office today released a white paper titled “Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems”. Mr Lee said in a statement that he will lead and co-ordinate Hong Kong’s executive authorities, legislature and judiciary in implementing the content and requirements of the white paper, fully safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. The white paper covers five areas: the unrelenting fight to safeguard national security in Hong Kong; the central government’s fundamental responsibility for national security matters concerning Hong Kong; the Hong Kong SAR’s achievements in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security; Hong Kong’s transformation from disorder to stability and prosperity; and establishing high-standard security to support high-quality development of the “one country, two systems” policy. Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government will roll out publicity and public education on the matter through various channels, and that it will lead and encourage all sectors of society to thoroughly study and better comprehend the white paper’s substance and requirements, thereby enhancing citizens’ awareness of national security. The Government will hold a seminar on the white paper and will upload its full text to various government websites. Mr Lee encouraged all sectors of the community to hold study and exchange activities related to the white paper. Separately, the Chief Executive commented on the Lai Chee-ying case ahead of today’s Executive Council meeting. He iterated that Mr Lai betrayed the country and Hong Kong, and has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. The Chief Executive said the punishment “sends a solemn warning against malicious plots of collusion with external elements and endangering national security.” He added: “Poisoned by Lai and Apple Daily, under his control, some of our citizens, especially young people, have been misled to break the law and become radical and violent. “As of the end of last year, more than 2,400 individuals have to face legal consequences for unlawful acts during the period of ‘black-clad violence’. It is plain to see that the evil deeds committed by Lai Chee-ying and his syndicate were beyond measure.” The Chief Executive said the Hong Kong SAR Government will do its best to prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities that endanger national security. “We will resolutely fulfil our duty to safeguard national security despite all the political attempts that try to smear our righteous actions of safeguarding national security,” he remarked.
The Court of First Instance of the High Court today handed down sentences for Lai Chee-ying and the other eight defendants, as well as three companies relating to Apple Daily in respect of their convictions of a total of three charges of offences endangering national security. The total sentence for Lai Chee-ying was imprisonment for 20 years. As for the other eight defendants, their imprisonment terms ranged from six years and three months to 10 years. The three companies relating to Apple Daily were each sentenced to a fine of $3,004,500. Chief Executive John Lee said Lai Chee-ying has committed numerous heinous crimes and his evil deeds were beyond measure. Mr Lee added that the severe sentence imposed on Lai Chee-ying manifests that the rule of law is upheld and justice is done, and also brings great relief to all. “Lai Chee-ying had long used Apple Daily to poison the minds of our citizens, by inciting hatred, distorting facts, deliberately stirring up social antagonism and glorifying violence. He had openly begged for external forces to impose sanctions against China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, sacrificing the well-being of the people of China and the Hong Kong SAR. He betrayed our country and harmed Hong Kong, causing damage to the interests of our country and the Hong Kong SAR. His conviction is supported by overwhelming evidence, and he for sure deserves his punishment after all the harm he has done,” Mr Lee said. "Lai Chee-ying's malicious acts endangering national security have harmed the interests of our country and the Hong Kong SAR, as well as the interests of our citizens. The court, after 156 days of fair and impartial public hearings and having considered the irrefutable evidence of up to 2,220 exhibits, over 80,000 pages of documents and statements of evidence from 14 prosecution witnesses, concluded that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind behind those anti-China and destabilising activities. His acts are despicable and shameless,” he added. The Chief Executive also pointed out that the conviction of the heinous crimes committed by Lai Chee-ying was the first convicted case of the offence of collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security since the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). “This marks an important milestone in the Hong Kong SAR's efforts to safeguard national security, manifesting the role of the HKNSL as a key stabilising force. This case also admonishes that villains who endanger national security could never escape the sanctions of the law and would surely be severely punished in accordance with the law. The Hong Kong SAR will continue to steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.” Mr Lee also remarked that Hong Kong as a whole has already paid a heavy price as some of the Hong Kong citizens, especially young people, have been misled to break the law and become radical and violent. As of the end of last year, more than 2,400 individuals have been held accountable for unlawful acts during the period of “black-clad violence”. The Hong Kong SAR Government said the court pointed out clearly in its verdict handed down earlier that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind of the case, adding that he had manipulated and exploited Apple Daily to poison society, and repeatedly colluded with external forces to beg for sanctions and hostile activities against the Central Authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government. It added that Lai Chee-ying's malicious plot spanned across both the periods before and after the promulgation of the HKNSL. The Hong Kong SAR Government noted that Lai Chee-ying's intent was to collude with external forces to harm the interests of China and the Hong Kong SAR, as well as those of Hong Kong citizens. It added that Lai Chee-ying also shamelessly acted as a pawn of external forces to endanger national security. After hearing the submissions of the defendants on sentencing in the hearings of January 12 and 13, the court provided a detailed account of its considerations in every respect in its reasons for the sentence handed down today. The court held that the offence of conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications in this case fell within the most serious category for its type, and the two offences of conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security fell within the category of offences of “a grave nature”. The Hong Kong SAR Government stated that as the court pointed out in the reasons for the sentence, the offences took place at a time when Hong Kong had hardly recovered from the social turmoil caused by the anti-extradition law amendment bill movement. It added that the conspiracies were meticulously planned, involved multiple parties, and were clearly premeditated. The conspiracies involved the use of online platforms and a large number of seditious articles, targeting both local and overseas audiences, and some criminal activities were even conducted outside the Hong Kong SAR. The conspiracies were persistent ones, resulting in many acts rather than a single incident. The Hong Kong SAR Government also made it clear that after the enactment of the HKNSL, even though Lai Chee-ying's requests for foreign countries to impose sanctions or blockades, or engage in other hostile activities became more implicit and subtle, the change was only in form rather than in substance, with all the defendants continuing with their agreement for some time until after they were arrested by Police. It added that the sanctions imposed by foreign countries against the Hong Kong SAR, as well as against officials of China and the Hong Kong SAR have not been removed even up to today. The Hong Kong SAR Government said it is wholly unrealistic to say that Lai Chee-ying and others' activities were not a contributing cause. It emphasised that the court unequivocally identified Lai Chee-ying as the mastermind and the driving force behind the conspiracies, which constituted an aggravating factor and therefore enhanced the starting point for his sentence. The Government would forfeit the offence-related property of Lai Chee-ying in accordance with the law. It will also initiate the procedures pursuant to the Companies (Winding Up & Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance to have the three companies relating to Apple Daily struck off the Companies Register to safeguard national security.
(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.) Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said the court's judgment in the Lai Chee-ying case illustrates that the rule of law in Hong Kong is robust, criminal acts will never be tolerated and no one is above the law. The court today sentenced Lai Chee-ying to 20 years’ imprisonment, given the grave nature of the case. Mr Tang told a media session this afternoon that the heavy sentence clearly reflects the very serious nature of the offences committed by Lai Chee-ying. “The court pointed out that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind and driving force in the case. He has colluded with foreign forces to beg for sanctions against his country. The court has emphasised that Lai had harboured his resentment and hatred of China for years. His only intent was to seek the downfall of the Chinese Communist Party and even though the ultimate cost would be the sacrifice of the people of China and that of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.” The court held that the offence of "conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications" in this case fell within the most serious category of its type, and the two offences of "conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security" fell within the category of offences of a grave nature. In the reasons for the sentence, the court pointed out these offences took place at a time when Hong Kong had hardly recovered from the social turmoil caused by the black-clad violence. The conspiracies were meticulously planned, involved multiple parties and were clearly premeditated. Even after the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the defendants continued with their crimes for some time until after they were arrested by the police. Mr Tang added: “The heavy sentence clearly reflects the very serious nature of the offence committed by Lai Chee-ying. The court's judgment illustrates that the rule of law in Hong Kong is robust, criminal acts will never be tolerated and no one is above the law.” He emphasised that both the reasons for the verdict and the sentence handed down fully demonstrate that the court has arrived at the judgment in strict accordance with the law and the evidence, not with any underlying matters of political, policies or other non-legal considerations. In addition, the Lai Chee-ying case has nothing to do with freedom of the press. The security chief noted that although Lai Chee-ying and other defendants will face legal sanctions they deserve, Hong Kong is still facing national security risks. The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to unwaveringly and fearlessly prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today firmly opposed and strongly condemned external forces for slandering and smearing the court's sentencing in the Lai Chee-ying case. The Government noted that western countries, anti-China media, organisations and politicians have used the sentence of the Lai Chee-ying case as a pretext to slander, smear and attack the Hong Kong SAR, adding that external forces have even maliciously disparaged the court's independent judgment and sentence handed down in accordance with the law. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the Lai Chee-ying case was the first convicted case of the offence of 'collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security' since the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). This marks an important milestone in the Hong Kong SAR's efforts to safeguard national security, manifesting the role of the HKNSL as a key stabilising force. It added that this case also admonishes that villains who endanger national security could never escape the sanctions of the law and would surely be severely punished in accordance with the law. “Under the robust protection of the HKNSL, the attempts by external forces to 'use Hong Kong to contain China' are doomed to fail, leaving them with no option but only to smear and vilify the Hong Kong SAR's efforts to safeguard national security with futile and despicable political manoeuvres which would be in vain. By distorting facts and reversing right and wrong, their malicious intent has been seen through by all and must be resolutely refuted to set the record straight.” The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that in Lai Chee-ying's case, after 156 days of fair and impartial public hearings, the court has considered the irrefutable evidence of up to 2,220 exhibits, over 80,000 pages of documents and statements of evidence from 14 prosecution witnesses. The court pointed out clearly that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind of the case. He had manipulated and exploited Apple Daily to poison the society, and repeatedly colluded with external forces to beg for sanctions and hostile activities against the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government. Even after the enactment of the HKNSL, all the defendants continued with their agreement for some time until after they were arrested by Police. The court also clearly stated that Lai Chee-ying's only intent was to seek the downfall of the Communist Party of China even though the ultimate cost was the sacrifice of the interests of the people of China and the Hong Kong SAR. The Government made it clear that Lai Chee-ying has brought harm to the country and Hong Kong; his evil deeds were beyond measure, and he for sure deserves his punishment after all the harm he has done. It reiterated the court clearly pointed out in the reasons for verdict that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's publicly released reasons for verdict and sentence have meticulously explain the court's analysis of the relevant legal principles and evidence, as well as the reasons of the conviction and sentencing of Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies, which are well-founded and reasoned, with absolutely no basis for claims of so-called political prosecution. In response to views suggesting that the severe sentencing of the defendants in the Lai Chee-ying case would affect the Hong Kong SAR's freedom of the press, the Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised the case has nothing to do with freedom of the press at all. Over the years, the defendants were using journalism as a guise to commit acts that brought harm to the country and Hong Kong. It also pointed out that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, while the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that the principle of the rule of law shall be adhered to in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security. Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. In response to views that the prosecution and trial of the Lai Chee-ying case took too long, causing unfairness to the defendants, the Hong Kong Government pointed out that all cases concerning offence endangering national security are handled by the the Hong Kong SAR’s prosecution and judicial authorities in a fair and timely manner in strict compliance with the HKNSL, with the procedural rights of defendants exercised in accordance with the law fully respected throughout the process. Regarding Lai Chee-ying's case, the three counts of conspiracy were meticulously planned, the case was complex and involved a huge volume of evidence. Prosecution witnesses gave an elaborated account of the three counts of conspiracy in court. Lai Chee-ying himself even testified in court for 52 days. The time taken from investigation to trial was entirely reasonable and there was absolutely no question of any so-called unfairness. Moreover, the Hong Kong SAR Government noticed that certain individuals with ulterior motives have been fabricating lies about Lai Chee-ying's health condition and his custodial arrangements. It stated that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) has been ensuring the custodial environment for persons-in-custody (PICs) is safe, humane, appropriate and healthy in accordance with the law. Lai Chee-ying's entitlements in prison have not been deprived of on account of his personal status or his removal from association with other PICs. During the plea in mitigation in court on January 12 and 13, the senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying confirmed repeatedly that Lai Chee-ying had made no complaints about the treatment he received while in custody. The court also confirmed in its reasons for sentence that the CSD has been providing adequate medical attention for him. The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated it will continue to uphold its constitutional duty and steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. In addition, it will, as always, resolutely and strictly adhere to the principle of the rule of law to ensure that 'laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account', so as to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security while protecting the lawful rights and interests of Hong Kong residents and other people in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong SAR Government urges all sides to recognise the objective facts and stop any baseless malicious attacks.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired an interdepartmental working group meeting to co-ordinate government-wide preparatory efforts for the Chinese New Year Golden Week. According to the Immigration Department’s estimates, 1.43 million Mainland visitors will visit Hong Kong during the nine-day holiday, which runs from February 15 to 23. Compared with last year’s golden week, the daily average visitor arrivals are expected to increase by about 6%. An estimated 2,200 inbound tour groups will visit Hong Kong over the holiday, with daily averages significantly higher compared to the Mainland’s Labour Day and National Day Golden Week last year. Mr Chan stated that the Government is committed to providing a high-quality visitor experience. Key efforts include streamlining public transportation and boundary control points (BCPs), while maintaining close liaison with the travel trade to ensure effective crowd management and timely information dissemination. Following a review of current circumstances and discussions with Mainland authorities, the Government has decided to maintain the existing operating hours at the BCPs during the Chinese New Year holiday. The Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port will continue 24-hour operations as usual. The MTR Corporation will significantly enhance East Rail Line services at various times between February 13 and 23. Additionally, most local railway lines will provide overnight services on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Services on the relevant railway lines will be boosted after the Night Parade on February 17 and the Fireworks Display on February 18 to accommodate residents and visitors. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law, Under Secretary for Transport & Logistics Liu Chun-san, Under Secretary for Environment & Ecology Diane Wong and representatives from other relevant government departments also attended the meeting.