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2025
Police’s National Security Department conducted searches at a residential unit and a commercial building unit on Hong Kong Island with a warrant on January 13. An investigation suggests that an individual was suspected of using his company to render assistance to a wanted person who has absconded overseas, in continuing activities endangering national security. A batch of exhibits, including computers, a tablet device, mobile phones and bank documents, were seized during the operation. Additionally, a director and two staff members of the company under investigation were invited to the police station to assist in the probe. The investigation is still ongoing and no arrest has been made so far.
From January 15, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders can apply for a tourist visa upon arrival through six designated control points in Saudi Arabia, the Immigration Department announced today. The tourist visa can be either a single-entry visa for a maximum stay of 30 days, or a multiple-entry visa for a maximum stay of 90 days. Hong Kong SAR passport holders may also apply for an eVisa to visit Saudi Arabia prior to their visit, the department noted. Separately, with effect from January 15, the visa-free period for nationals of Saudi Arabia to visit the Hong Kong SAR will be extended to 90 days. The department pointed out that the visa-on-arrival and eVisa arrangements will bring greater travel convenience to Hong Kong SAR passport holders visiting Saudi Arabia. It added that such arrangements, along with the extension of the visa-free visit period for Saudi Arabia nationals, will enhance tourism, cultural and economic ties between the two places.
Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk and members of a dedicated task force from the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department today followed up on cases involving Hong Kong residents suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work by meeting relevant parties under the Thai National Police in Thailand. Mr Cheuk met Thai Senior Inspector General Mr Thatchai Pitaneelaboot in the morning to exchange intelligence on the request-for-assistance cases and received positive feedback. Mr Pitaneelaboot stated that they will further strengthen the prevention and combat of transnational crimes and do their utmost to assist with the safe return of the Hong Kong assistance seekers as soon as possible. Members of the dedicated task force later met Thai National Police Deputy Commissioner General (Crime Prevention & Suppression) Prachuab Wongsuk, to reflect the situation of the request-for-assistance cases. Both sides shared experience and exchanged in-depth views on further strengthening co-operation and jointly combating cross-border crimes such as telecommunications and online fraud as well as human trafficking. In the afternoon, Mr Cheuk had a meeting with Thai Vice Minister For Tourism & Sports Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham and Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Saksira Pheuak-um to learn about the latest measures of to protect tourists, including the 24-hour support service for tourists via an official mobile application and telephone centre. He thanked the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Thai authorities for attaching great importance to the requests for assistance from Hong Kong people, and said they will continue to maintain close liaison with the embassy and the Thai authorities in the future to exchange intelligence on the latest situation of the cases, and to provide appropriate advice and all practicable assistance to the assistance seekers and their families.
Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk today led members of a dedicated task force to Thailand to meet different parties and further follow up on cases involving Hong Kong residents suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. The dedicated task force members are from the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department (ImmD). In the morning, Mr Cheuk and the dedicated task force were received by Minister of Justice (MoJ) of Thailand Tawee Sodsong, who is a member of the Anti Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the Thai Prime Minister, and the heads of the enforcement departments under the MoJ, including the department dedicated to combating human trafficking activities. During the meeting, Mr Cheuk presented the situation regarding relevant request-for-assistance cases and received positive feedback. Both sides also exchanged intelligence. Mr Sodsong said the Thai authorities attached great importance to the situation and will spare no effort in assisting with the safe return of the Hong Kong assistance seekers as soon as possible. In the afternoon, members of the dedicated task force called on Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand Wu Zhiwu. Mr Cheuk thanked the Minister and staff of the Embassy for their deep concern over the cases by continuing to follow up and provide appropriate and practicable assistance as well as their strong support to the work of the ImmD all along. Mr Cheuk and the dedicated task force also had a meeting with officers of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok in the evening.
Security Bureau officials will lead members of a dedicated task force of Police and the Immigration Department to Thailand today to follow up on cases of Hong Kong residents allegedly lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. The bureau made the announcement and explained that the dedicated task force was established to co-ordinate action by the relevant law enforcement agencies given that it attaches great importance to cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. It added that in view of recent developments, the task force will further follow up on the request for assistance cases. Since the second quarter of 2024, there have been signs of a resurgence of Hong Kong residents suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to undertake illegal work, the bureau pointed out. Law enforcement agencies have so far received 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents alleged to have been detained in Southeast Asian countries and unable to leave. Among them, 16 have returned to Hong Kong. While the remaining 12 cases reported restrictions on their movement, the bureau stated that they are safe and able to contact their families or the task force. The dedicated task force will meet officials of the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Thailand sitting on the Anti Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand, as well as the Thai authorities to exchange intelligence and ask the relevant authorities to assist as much as they can in the rescue of such assistance seekers.
The Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution established by the Department of Justice (DoJ) earlier this month held its first meeting today. During the meeting, the advisory committee considered and endorsed its terms of reference and discussed future work and issues for follow-up, promoting the development of sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong at full steam. As announced in the Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address, the Government will explore establishing a sports dispute resolution system and promote sports arbitration, leveraging the institutional advantages of Hong Kong in dispute resolution. In this regard, the Government supports the industry in launching a pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong within 2025. The advisory committee, chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, comprises representatives from the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong. The advisory committee will advise the Government on the design, setting up and implementation of the pilot scheme. Mr Cheung said that sports disputes are unique and require specific professional knowledge for resolution. As the global sports market continues to grow rapidly, disputes are becoming more diverse and complex, giving rise to an increasing demand for resolution services dedicated to sports disputes. He highlighted that Hong Kong offers all-round dispute resolution services, featuring robust and reliable arbitration and mediation systems, along with a wealth of arbitrators and mediators with sports expertise. These give Hong Kong a distinctive edge in becoming a regional or even international sports dispute resolution centre. Mr Cheung said that the DoJ has always been principled and innovative in striving for development in Hong Kong, and the advancement of sports dispute resolution can open up further opportunities for growth. He added that in the future, the Government will work with the advisory committee to actively carry out preparatory work for the pilot scheme, with hopes to officially launch it within this year to promote the wider use of sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong.
The Department of Justice today announced that the Secretary for Justice (SJ) has appointed Rita Fan, Joseph Yam and Cheng Yan-kee as members of a supervisory managing organisation (SMO) established to supervise the trustee for the charitable trust of the estate of the late Nina Wang. The Court of First Instance has appointed Nina Wang Charity Management Ltd as the trustee. The department emphasised that, under Hong Kong law, the SJ has a role in protecting charitable interests. Mrs Wang, in her will, expressed her wish that a charitable fund be set up. As protector of charities, the SJ has participated in the relevant legal proceedings regarding Mrs Wang’s estate. The court approved the scheme of administration for the estate submitted by the SJ in May of last year. A key component of this was the setting up of Nina Wang Charity Management Ltd. An SMO, formed of three independent individuals, was also required to be set up to supervise the operation of the trustee. In accordance with the scheme, these individuals, appointed by the SJ, must possess unquestionable integrity, experience and judgement. The trustee’s main responsibilities include but are not limited to supervising the business operations of the Chinachem Group, and approving the group’s financial budget and major decisions. It will devise a budget for charity projects, fundraising, and – in accordance with Mrs Wang’s will – preparations for setting up a “fund and a Chinese prize of worldwide significance similar to that of the Nobel Prize”. The scheme mandated that there will also be a board of governors for the trustee, with its members being appointed pursuant to the scheme and the company’s articles of association. At least two of the governors must be government officials. Following the court’s approval of the scheme, the SJ made an application to it to appoint the company as the trustee of the charitable trust, and approval was granted by the court on November 21. Rita Fan, Joseph Yam and Cheng Yan-kee have been appointed as the SMO’s three members, and will be responsible for supervising the trustee’s operations. The department said it firmly believes that once the trustee’s board of governors is established, the trustee will do its utmost in faithfully administering the charitable trust, under the supervision of the SMO. This will include implementing charity projects and the abovementioned prize, in order to fulfill Mrs Wang’s wishes and bring benefits to the country, including different sectors of Hong Kong, the department added.
The first Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course, co-organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and the Supreme People’s Court (SPC), commenced today. The two-week course is the academy’s inaugural programme, following its launch in November. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam spoke at an opening ceremony for the course before delivering its first lecture. Highlighting that Hong Kong has a robust bilingual common law system, and is the only common law jurisdiction in the country under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, he expressed his hope that the course will facilitate exchanges that bridge the legal systems of Hong Kong and the Mainland, and also deepen participants’ understanding of Hong Kong’s common law system so that they can put their learning into practice in future. The course, primarily conducted in English, introduces the practical and operational aspects of Hong Kong’s common law system to participating Mainland judges through various formats, including lectures, seminars and visits. Speakers include local judges and legal officers, experienced legal professionals and members of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee. The first intake to the course consists of 25 judges from the SPC, the High People’s Court of Guangdong, and courts in the nine Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area.
2024
The Central People’s Government, on Chief Executive John Lee’s nomination and recommendation, approved today the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Customs & Excise Chan Tsz-tat as Commissioner of Customs & Excise, and the removal of Louise Ho from the post of Commissioner of Customs & Excise, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced. Ms Ho went on pre-retirement leave today after serving the department for 33 years. Commenting on the new appointment, the Chief Executive said: “Mr Chan has served in the Customs & Excise Department for 30 years and has extensive experience in departmental operations. He possesses solid management and leadership skills. I am confident that he will lead the Customs & Excise Department in meeting the challenges ahead.” Mr Lee also commended Ms Ho for her sustained efforts in leading the department, yielding distinguished results on the prevention of smuggling activities, protection of government revenue on dutiable goods, detection and deterrence of narcotics trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, protection of intellectual property rights and consumer interests, and combat of money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism. During her tenure since October 2021, Ms Ho has also been committed to maintaining close collaboration with international and regional partners to uphold Hong Kong’s position as an international trade centre and logistics hub, the Chief Executive added. “On behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government, I convey my heartfelt appreciation to Ms Ho for her contribution to the city and I wish her a happy retirement.”
The legal departments of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region today released the consolidated Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Mediator Panel 2024. The consolidated panel, with 146 mediators from Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau, is available on the Department of Justice's (DoJ) website. The establishment of the GBA Mediator Panel implements the measure in the Action Plan on the Construction of Rule of Law in the GBA released earlier by the DoJ to promote the interface of mediation regulatory frameworks of the three places and wider use of mediation in the GBA. The panel was jointly formulated by the DoJ, the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province and the Office of the Secretary for Administration & Justice of the Macao SAR Government. It has been agreed by the Working Group on the GBA Mediation Platform and endorsed at the GBA Legal Departments Joint Conference.