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2026
The Law Reform Commission today published Cyber-Dependent Crimes & Jurisdictional Issues, a report that recommends the introduction of new legislation to address five types of “cyber-dependent” crimes. The Government said it welcomed the report and will conduct a thorough study of its recommendations. The five types of “cyber-dependent” crimes identified are ones that can be committed only by using information and communications technology, namely illegally accessing programs or data, illegal interception of data, illegal interference with data, illegal interference with computer systems, and making available a device, program or data for use in committing a cyber-related crime. The commission’s Cybercrime Sub-committee has studied current laws in Hong Kong, as well as corresponding legislation in Australia, Canada, the Chinese Mainland, New Zealand, Singapore, the US, and England and Wales. It highlighted that, at present, different computer-related offences are covered in Hong Kong’s Crimes Ordinance and the Telecommunications Ordinance, but that some of these are outdated. Moreover, all of the other jurisdictions studied have legislated against the five types of cyber-dependent crime identified either through bespoke cyber-crime legislation or amending parts of existing codified laws. One of the report’s recommendations is that accessing programs or data without lawful authority should be a summary offence. It stresses that an aggravated form of the offence arises if the unauthorised access is accompanied by intent to carry out further criminal activity. The commission also recommends that unauthorised interception of computer data carried out for dishonest or criminal purposes should be an offence. It says this would protect both private and non-private communications, and would apply to data generally. In addition, the report proposes that both illegal interference with computer data and computer systems, and knowingly making available a device, program or data for use in committing a cyber-related crime, should be offences. In line with international norms, it recommends that Hong Kong law should provide for the extra-territorial application of the five cyber-dependent offences proposed. It adds that Hong Kong courts should have jurisdiction in cases where connections with Hong Kong exist. The report also advises that, as the severity of the harms caused by cyber-crime are wide-reaching, each of the proposed offences should carry a maximum sentence for summary convictions of two years’ imprisonment, and one of 14 years’ imprisonment for convictions on indictment. For aggravated forms of Interference Offences involving danger to life – for example, interference with a railway signal system – the proposed maximum penalty is life imprisonment. The commission said the report represents its first set of findings following the issuance of a consultation paper by its Cybercrime Sub-committee in 2022, and that responses to the paper were taken into account in formulating the recommendations contained in the report. It added that the report adopted the guiding principle of balancing the rights of users of information and communications technology and the interests of persons in the information technology industry against the need to protect the public against being disturbed or attacked when using or operating computer systems. In a statement, the Security Bureau said the Government will carefully consider how to follow up on the report and implement its recommendations. The commission’s Cybercrime Sub‑committee is also conducting further research into other aspects relating to cybercrime. The Government said it will study all of the commission’s findings carefully and thoroughly with a view to formulating comprehensive legislation that addresses the challenges to public order arising from advancements in information technology.
The Department of Justice announced today the establishment of an "Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global", which will advise it on leveraging Hong Kong’s legal and other professional services sectors in support of Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to “go global”. Chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, the 13-strong committee comprises, for a term of two years, experts from the legal, financial and accounting sectors from both the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as outstanding business and corporate representatives. It will provide advice and assistance to better meet the needs of Chinese Mainland enterprises looking to expand overseas, and will co-ordinate with Hong Kong’s professional services sectors, including its legal, accounting and financial sectors, to support these efforts. Mr Cheung highlighted that the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform, officially launched by the department on December 13 with the support of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, marks a new phase of collaborative support for Mainland enterprises going global. The expert committee will support and promote the work of the platform by gathering strategic advice from its members.
The Fire Services Department yesterday introduced new measures, with immediate effect, to enhance the management of fire service installations and the transparency of relevant information. The department issued two circular letters to regulate registered fire service installation contractors (RFSICs). The letters direct RFSICs to enhance the management of fire service installations and equipment (FSI) and to increase the transparency of information relating to the operational status of FSIs. When there is any defect in FSIs such as hose reels and manual call points, RFSICs must affix a Damage Notice complying with standard requirements in a prominent position on the FSI to facilitate easy identification. This is to guide the public to avoid using non-operable FSIs during emergencies. In addition, RFSICs are required to apply seals to the main power switches of FSI systems to prevent power from being turned off by mistake. They must also facilitate inspections by property management staff to assess power supply status and ensure timely follow-up actions. The department also reminds RFSICs that before turning off FSIs for works, pre-assessment should be conducted on whether functions of other FSIs will be affected, and all areas being affected should be reported concurrently to the FSD. RFSICs must put up large-sized notices at prominent locations such as main building entrances and lift lobbies, clearly outlining information including dates of any FSI operation suspension and areas that will be affected, to keep occupants, property management staff, and other relevant parties informed. This is to raise occupants’ awareness of fire safety when FSIs are not in working order or being shut down. The department emphasises that RFSICs must strictly adhere to the new requirements. Any misconduct or negligence may result in disciplinary actions by the department, including being removed from the register of RFSICs.
The Government today reminded members of the public that, starting from January 25, all seated passengers on public transport and in commercial vehicles must wear seat belts. In addition, drivers of all vehicles must not place more than two mobile telecommunications devices (MTDs) in front of themselves during driving. Under new rules, all passenger seats on public and private buses, all rear passenger seats on private light buses and goods vehicles, and all driver seats and passenger seats on special purpose vehicles must be equipped with seat belts if the vehicles are first registered on or after January 25. Drivers and passengers occupying seats of these types of vehicles, whether newly registered or not, will be required to wear seat belts if they are provided. Going forward, offending vehicle owners, drivers or passengers will all be liable to a maximum fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for up to three months. The Government said that around 3,500 franchised buses are now equipped with seat belts, representing about 60% of the entire fleet in Hong Kong. As for the MTD requirement, from January 25 drivers must have more than two devices – whether mobile phones, tablet computers or laptop computers – in front of them as they drive. The diagonal length of individual screens must not exceed 19 cm, and MTDs must not obstruct a driver’s view of the road or of any device fitted for viewing roads. Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of $2,000. Call 2804 2600 for details.
The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements today said that around 950,000 visitors arrived in Hong Kong over New Year holidays between the New Year’s Eve and yesterday, representing an increase of about 40% over the same period last year. The working group remarked that all aspects of receiving visitors to Hong Kong operated smoothly. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, who leads the working group, said the New Year's Eve and New Year holidays coincided with a three-day New Year public holiday on the Mainland. Coupled with an array of festive activities, including the Hong Kong New Year Countdown, visitors were attracted to experience the festive ambience in the city. During the New Year's Eve and New Year holidays, Mainland inbound visitors accounted for over 740,000, representing an increase of about 48% year-on-year. Whereas the number of non-Mainland inbound visitors was around 210,000, representing an increase of about 19%. Mainland visitor arrivals peaked at around 220,000 on January 1. Visitors went to various major tourist attractions in Hong Kong during the New Year's Eve and New Year holidays as well as attractions within country parks, including the East Dam of High Island Reservoir at Sai Kung and Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods at Tai Lam Country Park.
Starting from tomorrow, the service hours of the Police Force's Tai Po fire casualty enquiry hotline, 1878 999, will be adjusted. The new service hours will be 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The force explained that the latest adjustment was made in view of public demand for the service.
The Government today announced that following an open recruitment exercise, Francis Chan will take up the appointment as the Commissioner of Critical Infrastructure (Computer-system Security) for a three-year term with effect from today. The appointment is made by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Ordinance. The Government said Mr Chan possesses outstanding cybersecurity expertise, international vision, law enforcement experience and strategic management capabilities, along with excellent leadership, management and communication skills. It added that Mr Chan will lead the Commissioner's Office under the Security Bureau to safeguard the security of computer systems of critical infrastructures in Hong Kong. Mr Chan is the former Chief Superintendent of the Police’s Cyber Security & Technology Crime Bureau and has served as the Chairperson of the INTERPOL Cybercrime Expert Group. After retiring from the Police in 2020, he has taken up managerial roles related to computer systems and cybersecurity in the private sector. He has been serving as the Assistant Director (Critical Infrastructure) of the Security Bureau since May 2024. The Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Ordinance, which comes into effect today, provides a comprehensive legal framework to safeguard the security of computer systems of critical infrastructures in Hong Kong, regulate operators of critical infrastructures and investigate and respond to relevant computer-system security threats and incidents. Mr Chan will head the Commissioner's Office, established today, to implement and enforce the statutory regime of the ordinance, including designating "operators of critical infrastructures" and "critical computer systems" as well as monitoring their compliance with statutory obligations. In addition, the Chief Executive also appointed members of the Appeal Panel under Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Ordinance for a two-year term from today to December 31, 2027.
Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing today officiated at the opening ceremony of the "Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey" exhibition at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station. The exhibition, presented by the Cultural & Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, will be open to the public from tomorrow. It showcases film sets reconstructed by Hong Kong film professionals, collectable items and original pieces, presenting the city's memories of the era portrayed in Hong Kong crime film classics, allowing visitors to experience Hong Kong's film culture and the unique creativity of local filmmakers. This exhibition is one of the major projects of the Government's Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots. It is also the second tourist attraction themed around Hong Kong films, following the "Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey" Movie Set Exhibition which opened last year. Also officiating at the opening ceremony were Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law. Situated at 627 Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station is a Grade 2 historic building. An admission ticket to the exhibition costs $30, a concessionary ticket is $10, while children aged six or below get in for free. Members of the public may book tickets through the online booking system as tickets will not be available onsite. To coincide with the exhibition and promote district tourism, the Yau Tsim Mong District Office also launched the Yau Ma Tei Dining & Shopping Festival as well as a Mini Bazaar today. Exhibition visitors may enjoy a wide range of special offers at participating merchants. The Mini Bazaar, which operates on weekends and public holidays until March 1, is located opposite the main entrance of the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station, and sells cultural and creative products as well as local traditional snacks.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for a deliberate and unfounded report on Lai Chee-ying's health condition in an attempt to fabricate facts to mislead the public by intentionally portraying him as a victim to cover up his offences and conviction by the court. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the court's verdict was entirely free from any political considerations, noting that reasons for the verdict, including the court's analysis of the relevant legal principles and evidence, are fully open for public inspection. The court's verdict is well-founded and reasoned, fully demonstrating that its decision was made strictly in accordance with the law and evidence and free from any interference, the statement said. The court clarified that Lai Chee-ying's only intent, whether pre or post 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 citizens of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Hong Kong. Additionally, the court found that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind of the conspiracies charged in all three counts, and his actions showed his intent to pursue these conspiracies, which constituted a threat to the national security in the PRC and the city, the statement added. The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable, noting that Article 5 of the security law and section 2 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly state 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 privilege to break the law, and is totally contrary to the spirit of the rule of law, it added. The statement dismissed the claims regarding Lai Chee-ying's health condition as reported by BBC, noting that the Hong Kong SAR Government has repeatedly insisted that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) handled the custodial arrangements for him in the same manner as other persons-in-custody. It said that Lai Chee-ying has received adequate and comprehensive medical attention. All correctional facilities, equipped with hospitals or sick bays, maintain 24/7 staffing by medical officers seconded from the Department of Health and correctional staff with professional nursing qualifications. The Hospital Authority and the Department of Health’s medical specialists visit correctional institutions regularly to give persons-in-custody specialist consultation and treatment, including dental treatment. Those with dental health issues are referred to dental specialists, and in serious cases are transferred immediately to a public hospital for treatment, the statement added. The statement noted that during the public court hearing in August 2025, the senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying informed the court that he had consistently received appropriate treatment and care in prison. The statement said that daily medical check-ups were arranged for Lai Chee-ying, and he raised no complaints about the care he received. Consequently, the court commended the CSD for its medical arrangements. On December 15, 2025, when the court handed down its verdict, the senior counsel representing him stated in response to questions from the media that everyone in the court could clearly see his health condition, the statement added. The CSD provided dental treatment for Lai Chee-ying in 2021 and 2022 based on his needs. Since then, Lai Chee-ying has had no dental health problems and has made no further requests for dental treatment, the statement noted. Separately in 2025, Lai Chee-ying notified the CSD of problems with his fingernails. However, he fully recovered after treatment with ointment prescribed by the institution's medical officer, with no loss of fingernails as alleged in the media reports, the statement added. In August 2025, before the public hearing, the CSD arranged for him to wear a cardiac monitoring device and prescribed heart medication for heart palpitations, to be used as needed. The statement emphasised that since then, Lai Chee-ying has made no further complaints to the department about his heart palpitations. The statement stressed that the allegations made by Lai Chee-ying's daughter and relevant media reports, including those by BBC, are completely baseless. The Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that individuals with ulterior motives, including Lai Chee-ying's family members and certain media, have ignored the facts and continue to spread lies and engage in despicable acts.
2025
The legal departments of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region today officially launched the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Arbitrator Panel and the Greater Bay Area Mediator Panel 2025. According to the Department of Justice (DoJ), these panels, comprising 143 arbitrators and 233 mediators, will strengthen professional collaboration and dispute resolution expertise in the GBA. The DoJ stated that these panels will maximise regional resource advantages and align the arbitration and mediation regulatory frameworks across the three jurisdictions while establishing unified GBA standards. Ultimately, the DoJ intends for the panels to strengthen the region’s multifaceted dispute resolution mechanism. The panels were jointly established by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s DoJ, the Guangdong Province’s Department of Justice, and the Macao SAR Government’s Office of the Secretary for Administration & Justice. They were endorsed at the GBA Legal Departments Joint Conference.