You are here
RSS list
2025
The General Assembly of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) has decided to establish its Asia-Pacific Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The office is expected to open in the second half of 2026, marking the first regional presence of UNIDROIT outside its seat in Rome in its 100-year history.Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said UNIDROIT or its members could have decided to set up the office in any of the member states as there are numerous choices, but ultimately it decided to set up the office in Hong Kong which is a very significant vote of confidence in the city. “The decision to set up the Asia-Pacific Liaison Office is a very important move to enhance the level of our co-operation, which is of critical importance in enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international legal service centre.”Hong Kong has already housed the Hague Conference on Private International Law Regional Office for Asia & the Pacific and the Department of Justice Project Office for Collaboration with United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. Also, the International Organization for Mediation has its headquarters in the city. Mr Lam believes that this will help solidify Hong Kong's position as an international legal hub. “If more and more international organisations are willing to do the same, by agreeing to have some sort of physical presence in Hong Kong, that would imply that more and more people are willing to cast their vote of confidence in Hong Kong. “Having regard to its status and function as an international legal service centre, that naturally will enhance Hong Kong's reputation in this respect, it will attract more people to come here to participate in different types of activities. “It is just sort of a snowball effect. Hopefully it can enhance Hong Kong's reputation. It can attract more people to come to Hong Kong to use our legal service. “I think in the long run, this is a very significant development and I am very confident that this would help to reinforce Hong Kong's position as a genuine international legal service and dispute resolution services centre.”
Police announced today that they have so far arrested 16 people on suspicion of manslaughter in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, including an external wall repair subcontractor’s male person-in-charge arrested yesterday, and 15 others from various construction companies who were arrested earlier. All arrestees have been released on bail. The possibility of further arrests has not been ruled out as Police gather evidence through various channels for a thorough and in-depth investigation. Regarding accommodation support for the affected residents in Tai Po, as of this morning, 489 residents are staying in hotel rooms through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, and 551 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,591 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, the Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun.
The Fire Services Department started a two-day citywide special fire safety inspection and enforcement operation yesterday on commercial buildings with a high fire risk to ensure public safety. In regulating the fire safety of licensed premises such as restaurants, the department specified relevant fire safety requirements to licence applicants and conducted inspections to ensure the premises complied with fire safety standards. Inadequate management of buildings and individual premises may give rise to potential fire hazards, such as smoke stop doors being wedged open, means of escape obstructed or locked, the depositing of combustible articles in the means of escape, or fire service installation or equipment (FSIs) not in efficient working order. Anticipating a significant increase in the number of people visiting commercial buildings with a higher number of licensed premises, the department targeted 132 such commercial buildings in its special fire safety inspection and enforcement operation. A total of 376 fire hazard abatement notices were issued for various fire hazards, and 53 prosecutions were initiated. Among the buildings, 57 were suspected of lacking annual inspections for FSIs which the department has followed up in a serious manner.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today expressed opposition to the unfounded comments by so-called “human rights experts” after the Hong Kong SAR court had convicted Lai Chee-ying, in strict accordance with the law and evidence, of offences of endangering national security. In a statement, the Government said these “human rights experts” had entirely no respect for the court’s independent judgment of the case, refused to acknowledge the evidence set out in the reasons for verdict, and refused to understand the court’s considerations and the reasons for verdict. Instead, they wantonly launched attacks, slandered and attacked the Hong Kong SAR Government, with despicable political manipulations to demand the immediate release of Lai Chee-ying, overriding the rule of law with politics and confounding right and wrong. 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, the Government stressed. Moreover, it said the “experts” conflated the criminal acts in this case with freedom of speech and of the press, with the purpose of misleading the public and defaming Hong Kong, pointing out that the Lai Chee-ying case has nothing to do with freedom of speech and of the press at all, and remarked that the defendants, over the years, were using journalism as a guise to commit acts that brought harm to China and Hong Kong. The Government further noted that the public trial of the Lai Chee-ying case revealed his hands-on control of Apple Daily’s editorial direction. Lai Chee-ying had repeatedly and personally colluded with foreign forces, begging for sanctions and hostile actions against the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government. The court also clearly pointed out that Lai Chee-ying’s only intent, whether pre or post-Hong Kong National Security Law, 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 the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong SAR. Anyone who vilifies the rule of law and human rights situation in Hong Kong using this case is fact-twisting and has no integrity at all, the Government stated. It urged the so-called “human rights experts” should understand the facts clearly and stop making any unfounded criticisms.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 11.52 million passengers, including Hong Kong residents and visitors, will pass through Hong Kong's sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive periods. Releasing the information today, the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary, noted that the period ranges from December 24 to 28, December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026. The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 9.65 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be relatively higher this Thursday and coming Sunday, with around 689,000 passengers and 695,000 passengers respectively. The ImmD estimates that passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 225,000, 201,000 and 161,000 passengers respectively. Residents and visitors may also visit Easy Boundary, a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus.
The Fire Services Department today clarified that a media commentary claiming the trade doubts whether the department's suggestion to shut down fire service installation and equipment (FSI) by phases during building maintenance works is feasible, does not fully reflect the facts. According to the Fire Service (Installations & Equipment) Regulations, no person other than a registered fire service installation contractor shall maintain, inspect or repair any FSI in any premises. Any person contravening the regulations is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000. Any person who is not a registered fire service installation contractor who attempts to interfere with FSIs may be in breach of the law and the department will follow up stringently. Maintenance, repair or inspection of FSIs must be carried out by registered fire service installation contractors, who will exercise professional judgement and carry out the relevant work in accordance with the department's instructions. Personnel responsible for building maintenance works have no authority to shut down FSIs and it is extremely irresponsible for any frontline personnel to shut down FSIs in order to avoid false alarms triggered by the works. The department’s Circular Letter No. 1/2021 stipulates that disruption to the normal operation of FSIs caused by its shutdown should be kept to the minimum. When carrying out the works, the contractor concerned should adopt a systematic approach in shutting down the affected FSI by phases and resume normal operation as soon as practicable. If the affected portion of the system could not be reinstated to normal working condition by the end of a working shift, arrangements should be made for the portion to be isolated with the remainder of the system to be reinstated. Upon completion of the relevant works, the contractor shall issue the Certificate of Fire Service Installations & Equipment in due course. The department earlier held a meeting with the Association of Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors on the matter, and the trade expressed its full support and willingness to implement the relevant measures in accordance with the statutory requirements and guidelines.
As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.7 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, the fund now amounts to around $4 billion. Accommodation supportAs of this morning, under the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau 581 residents are staying in hotel rooms, while 559 residents are staying in youth hostels/camps. Another 3,513 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Hong Kong Housing Society, or at Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun. Currently, more than 1,000 units are still avilable to affected residents as longer-term accommodation. The transitional housing and Housing Society projects in various districts can altogether provide around 500 units at present. Moreover, Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun and Runway 1331 at Kai Tak can offer around 900 units. Relief suppliesOn the Government’s online platform for donated supplies, about 2,000 registrations have been received. Over 29,000 donated items have been distributed. Handling of reported missing peopleSix missing person cases that were being followed up by the Casualty Enquiry Unit have been concluded. Five of the individuals died in the fire, while the remaining individual was found to have passed away in 2023. In view of the latest situation, the Police Force will adjust the service hours of its casualty enquiry hotline for the Tai Po fire (1878 999) to 7am to 11pm daily, from tomorrow. Furthermore, the forensic pathologist recently established, through scientific examination, that one set of human remains belongs to two deceased individuals. As a result, the number of deceased has increased to 161. School campus relocationFrom the 2026-27 school year, Tai Po Baptist Public School will use the premises of the former Church of Christ in China Kei Ching Primary School at Fu Shin Estate in Tai Po, allowing pupils to resume normal activities at a single school site.
Victor Pang has been appointed as the Commissioner of the Civil Aid Service (CAS) for a term of two years, with effect from January 1, 2026, the Government announced today. The appointment was made by Chief Executive John Lee using his authority under the Civil Aid Service Ordinance. Mr Pang joined the CAS as a volunteer member in 2021 and was promoted to Deputy Commissioner in 2025. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung welcomed the appointment of Mr Pang. “Mr Pang is deeply committed to the CAS, and has exemplary executive and leadership skills. I am confident that under Mr Pang’s leadership, the CAS will continue to be an efficient auxiliary service, providing quality and reliable service to members of the public,” he said. Mr Tang also thanked outgoing CAS Commissioner Lo Yan-lai, who has served the CAS for 44 years, for his valuable contribution. He noted that during the past seven years as Commissioner of the CAS, Mr Lo has led the service to take part in prominent rescue operations and major events, including operations to combat the COVID-19 epidemic. Mr Lo has also demonstrated exceptional dedication to youth development work, he added. “Under his leadership, the CAS has consistently delivered excellent results, rendering timely and professional support to regular disciplined forces, and making solid efforts in maintaining Hong Kong as a safe and livable city,” Mr Tang added.
From December 22, the eligible age for using the self-service immigration clearance e-Channel service by holders of the Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to & from Hong Kong & Macau (e-EEP), People's Republic of China (PRC) passport holders, and departing visitors using "Smart Departure" will be lowered to seven years old or above.Announcing the move today, the Immigration Department noted that currently, holders of the e-EEP, PRC passport holders and departing visitors using "Smart Departure" who are aged 11 or above are eligible to use the e-Channel service. The department said that lowering the applicable age for these visitors using the e-Channel service to seven or above aims to enhance clearance efficiency at control points and enable more eligible visitors to Hong Kong to use the e-Channel service.
The Government today said it strongly disapproves of and objects to the slanders and smears by the G7 foreign ministers as well as the European Union High Representative, after the court found Lai Chee-ying guilty of offences of endangering national security in strict accordance with the law and evidence. The G7 countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The Government pointed out that safeguarding national security is a top priority of every country. In accordance with international law and international relations based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and is also an international practice. Acts and activities endangering national security could bring very serious consequences. Prompt action must be taken to prevent and suppress such acts and activities effectively. No country will watch with folded arms and tolerate any of such acts and activities endangering national security without taking any action. The relevant countries have also enacted legislation to combat collusion with foreign forces, including the National Security Act 2023 by the UK, Foreign Agents Registration Act by the US, and the Countering Foreign Interference Act by Canada. In recent years, they have even intensified their crackdown, frequently labeling and charging individuals and organisations with legitimate dealings with China as “undertaking espionage activities” yet charges are often dropped later on, or the defendants are found not guilty, due to insufficient evidence. It is ironic that these countries now try to whitewash Lai Chee-ying's blatant collusion with foreign or external forces, and his begging for sanctions against China as well as the Hong Kong SAR, as “exercising freedom of speech and the press”. This clearly exposes the double standard of these countries. The Government noted that they showed no respect for the fact that charges had been laid against Lai Chee-ying and other defendants by the Department of Justice entirely based on evidence and public interest. There was no respect for the court of the Hong Kong SAR which had exercised judicial power independently and strictly on the basis of facts and evidence. It added that they also refused to acknowledge the evidence set out in the reasons for verdict, and refused to understand the court's considerations and rationale for the verdict. Instead, they wantonly vilified the Hong Kong SAR prosecutorial and judicial authorities' discharge of their duties in accordance with the law as “undermining rights and freedoms”, and continued to unscrupulously distort the facts to criticise the Hong Kong SAR. What these countries have done in this case is a true reflection of their bullying behaviour all along, which is extremely ugly and despicable. The Government reiterated that 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 reasons for verdict in this case are 855 pages long, which are fully open for public inspection, and include the court's analysis of the relevant legal principles and evidence, as well as the reasons for convicting Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies in full detail. The Government said that some countries have conflated the criminal acts in this case with freedom of the press, and have even played up different cases to vilify the Hong Kong SAR, with the purpose of misleading the public and defaming the Hong Kong SAR's human rights and rule of law. In fact, Lai Chee-ying's case has nothing to do with freedom of the press at all. Over the years, the defendants have used journalism as a guise to commit acts that brought harm to our country and Hong Kong. The public trial of this case has revealed Lai Chee-ying's close management and hands-on control of the editorial direction of Apple Daily, and one of the senior managers even said they were free within a “bird cage”. Meanwhile, Lai Chee-ying had repeatedly and personally colluded with foreign forces, begging for sanctions and hostile actions against the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government. Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. In fact, the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to the Hong Kong SAR, are protected in accordance with the law. Like all other places in the world, journalists, just like all other citizens, have an obligation to abide by all the laws. According to the principles established by Article 19 of the ICCPR, the European Convention on Human Rights and relevant jurisprudence, when the media and journalists publish opinions, information and articles, they must observe and discharge “special duties and responsibilities”, including protection of national security and public order; journalists must, in accordance with the tenets of “responsible journalism“, act in good faith on accurate factual basis and provide reliable and precise information, so as to be entitled to the protection of freedom of speech and press freedom. The Government stressed that the human rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents are firmly protected by the Constitution and the Basic Law. Any foreign or external forces attempting to discredit Hong Kong through the conviction verdict in Lai Chee-ying's case will only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and will never succeed. It further stated that it will continue to steadfastly perform its duties and safeguard national security.