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2025
Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan today said the Department of Justice is studying a Court of Final Appeal (CFA) judgment with a view to finding ways to further improve the enforcement mechanism of national security in Hong Kong. Mr Cheung made the remarks after attending a radio programme this morning, where he addressed media questions about the CFA judgment concerning a case involving three former members of a disbanded group who did not comply with Police’s request for information. “We are carefully studying the judgment handed down by the Court of Final Appeal. We will see how the judgment can further improve the law enforcement mechanism of national security in Hong Kong, but I will say that the judgment and the case law will contribute significantly to the development of jurisprudence of the national security related law in Hong Kong.”
The Security Bureau announced today that six Hong Kong residents lured to Myanmar to engage in illegal work have been rescued following a joint rescue operation. A dedicated task force, consisting of members from the bureau, the Police Force and the Immigration Department, had earlier travelled to the Mae Sot area of Thailand, near its border with Myanmar. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung subsequently flew to Thailand yesterday to co-ordinate the operation alongside senior officials from Thailand's Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, and police. The six Hong Kong residents, comprising three men and three women all aged between 29 and 44, had been detained in Myanmar for periods ranging from five to seven months. After being rescued, they were sent to Mae Sot by Myanmar's military. With the assistance of Thai authorities, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai, the task force escorted the six from Mae Sot to Bangkok, which they reached this afternoon. Five of the residents will return to Hong Kong tonight, accompanied by the task force, while one is expected to return to Hong Kong tomorrow. Mr Tang had earlier held a video meeting with the citizens and was pleased to learn that they were safe and in good condition. They expressed gratitude to those who had helped in their rescue and said they looked forward to reuniting with their families in Hong Kong. Mr Tang thanked all units involved in the joint operation, including the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China; frontline personnel at the Thai-Myanmar border; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai; Thailand's Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence, police and military; relevant authorities in Myanmar; the task force; and the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok. Regarding three individuals who have yet to return to Hong Kong, the bureau stressed that it will actively follow up on their cases and strive to facilitate their return as soon as possible.
The total number of reported drug abusers in 2024 decreased by 9% from 2023 to 5,068, the Action Committee Against Narcotics announced today. The number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 rose by 8%, however, to 720. Of these abusers, 226 had vaped the “space oil drug”. The figures come from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse. The most common substances taken by drug abusers in 2024 were heroin, cocaine and “ice” (methamphetamine), while people under 21 mostly took cannabis, cocaine and the “space oil drug”. Since the first half of 2024, the “space oil drug” has been the third most common substance taken by drug abusers under 21. To step up the control of the drug, the Government has listed etomidate, its main ingredient, along with its three analogues, as dangerous drugs. The Security Bureau said the listing of etomidate as a dangerous drug has significantly enhanced deterrence against “space oil drug”-related crimes, and allowed law enforcement agencies to take more stringent enforcement actions against such crimes. The committee's Chairman, Donald Li, said he is glad that the Government adopted its suggestions to list etomidate as a dangerous drug. He suggested that the Government should step up anti-drug publicity on all fronts and said he hopes primary and secondary schools can take the initiative to inculcate in their students the values of resisting drugs. The Government's new campaign, “Don't fall into 'space oil drug' traps!”, has launched on various television and radio channels. An Anti-“Space Oil Drug” Week was held last week by the bureau's Narcotics Division and the Education Bureau. It was rolled out in all schools in Hong Kong, enabling students to understand the harms of the “space oil drug” and seriousness of crimes related to it.
The Government today clarified that information being circulated online about the launch of a "National Hong Kong Coin" on blockchain purported to be announced by the Chief Executive is fake and cautioned the public not to believe it. It pointed out that the information is totally fictitious with fraudulent intent and strongly condemned those who have attempted to distribute fake information in the name of the Chief Executive. The Government reminded members of the public to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of such content. The incident has been referred to Police for a follow-up investigation.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today led members of the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum on a Greater Bay Area study tour in Macau, in completion of a three-day, two-night exploration of national history, culture and development. Mr Tang led members in visiting the Macao Light Rapid Transit East Line South Section. They learned about the project's development and toured the campus of the Academy of Public Security Forces. The youngsters also visited the Macao Customs Fleet and were briefed on customs duties and maritime rescue operations. They also explored various sites of historic and architectural interest. Mr Tang listened to the participants' interim reports on their thematic projects. He said that the participation of students from Shenzhen University in the forum's last term and of youths from Macau in the current term has given young people in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau the opportunity to collaborate closely. He praised the potential of members from the three places, highlighting that three members from Shenzhen University were recently awarded the Good Citizen Award by the Hong Kong Police Force for their bravery in saving a life in Hong Kong. He also mentioned that seven members from Hong Kong were awarded stars given to Chinese college students for self-improvement. The group of 72 - comprising the leaders forum and its partners from Shenzhen University and the youth groups of Macau's public security forces - began its study tour in Foshan on Friday and continued to Macau yesterday. During their stay in Foshan, the group visited the Shunde drone command and dispatch centre to learn about how the district has optimised urban management through the introduction of drones and the consolidation of collected data. They also visited an intelligent manufacturing technology park, an innovation and research and development centre, and a manufacturing enterprise to learn about the development of high-tech industries on the Mainland and how various industries apply technology to improve production processes. The young people also explored the Foshan Ancestral Temple to sample the local traditional culture.