You are here
RSS list
2025
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, leading a cross-professional delegation, promoted Hong Kong's legal and other professional services in Xinjiang to boost bilateral co-operation and jointly contribute to the Belt & Road Initiative. While attending a seminar organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Xinjiang Lawyers Association yesterday, Mr Lam highlighted that Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China and noted that it possesses unique strengths of internationalisation, high standards, and strong credibility in its common law system. As an international legal and dispute resolution services centre, Hong Kong's professional service teams are capable and willing to leverage their expertise to contribute to Xinjiang's high-quality development, he added. The DoJ and the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region signed a framework agreement for legal service co-operation at the seminar wherein the departments of justice of both places will foster exchanges and business co-operation. Additionally, the Hong Kong Bar Association signed a memorandum of co-operation with the Xinjiang Lawyers Association to strengthen collaboration between Xinjiang lawyers and Hong Kong barristers to promote exchanges between the legal professions of both places. Mr Lam also met Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee Chen Xiaojiang and the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. After attending a luncheon with Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee Chen Mingguo, the Secretary for Justice visited the Silk Road Economic Belt Legal Service District and the Urumqi Court of International Arbitration to learn about their operations. Apart from touring a Hong Kong-invested enterprise and the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, Mr Lam met Vice Chairman of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Production & Construction Xue Bin. Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.
Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today handed down a review decision, accepting the Government's application for review of an earlier court sentence and increasing the fines imposed on the relevant contractors. The Labour Department welcomes the decision. The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on December 14, 2022, at a construction site in Yau Tong. A worker, while dismantling an I-beam, was struck and killed by the suddenly collapsed I-beam. Aggressive Construction Engineering, High Grade Engineering and a contractor were prosecuted by the department for violations of the Factories & Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and its subsidiary regulations, and were fined $36,000, $43,000 and $35,000 respectively at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on October 31, 2024. After the sentencing, the Government filed a review application with the court regarding the fines imposed on the relevant contractors. The review hearing was brought up today before the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts. The fines imposed on Aggressive Construction Engineering, High Grade Engineering and the contractor were increased to $74,000, $79,000 and $74,000 respectively. The department said that the ruling reflects the severity of occupational safety and health offences, and will disseminate a clear message to all contractors that they have to protect workers' safety and health at work in accordance with the laws. The Government will continue to pay attention to court rulings and will file review applications for cases where the sentences are relatively light.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, leading a multidisciplinary delegation, will depart for Urumqi in Xinjiang tomorrow to promote Hong Kong’s advantages in its legal system and professional services, and to explore the strengthening of Hong Kong-Xinjiang co-operation. The delegation comprises members of Hong Kong’s legal, arbitration and mediation sectors as well as financial and business sectors. On Friday, Mr Lam and the delegation will attend a seminar on the role of Hong Kong’s common law in contributing to the Belt & Road Initiative and a networking dinner, organised by the Department of Justice and the Xinjiang Lawyers Association. They will give a briefing on the advantages of Hong Kong’s common law system and how its legal, dispute resolution and financial services can contribute to Xinjiang’s opening up and facilitate business development. During the visit, the delegation will also meet local leaders and learn about the development of the local legal services industry. Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on Sunday. During his absence, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan will be Acting Secretary.
The Second Reading of the Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill was voted down by the Legislative Council today, with 14 votes in favour, 71 votes against and one vote abstaining. The Government said it respects LegCo's decision and lawmakers’ voting results. The Government added that it all along respects the rule of law and fulfils the requirements of the court's ruling. It highlighted that the bill was introduced in exercising the responsibility of the executive authorities empowered by the Basic Law to propose and introduce bills. In accordance with the Basic Law, LegCo has the functions and powers to scrutinise and pass bills. The Government also pointed out that the introduction and scrutinising of the bill has demonstrated the shouldering of responsibilities among the executive authorities, LegCo and the Judiciary in exercising their constitutional functions and discharging their respective duties effectively. As the bill has been voted down, the Government will not apply to the court for an extension of the suspension period and will further discuss and study the issue with the Department of Justice.
Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law today convened a meeting to co-ordinate the preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week from October 1 to 8. Miss Law noted that the eight-day National Day Golden Week overlaps with the Mid-Autumn Festival and various activities will take place in Hong Kong simultaneously, bringing a rich and vibrant tourism experience to visitors. “Relevant departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will maintain close liaison with relevant organisations and the travel trade with a view to making good preparation, ensuring the smooth operation of various aspects of receiving visitors and offering them a high-quality experience." Representatives from Customs, Police, the Immigration Department, the Transport Department and various District Offices participated in the meeting. Also attending were representatives from the Travel Industry Authority, Tourism Board, Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority as well as major tourist attractions and the hotel industry.
Police’s Cyber Security & Technology Crime Bureau today conducted a seminar and tabletop exercise to enhance cyber resilience, incident reporting co-ordination and response capabilities of stakeholders in preparation for the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games. The seminar focused on the cyber threats faced and deployment strategies adopted during previously-held major sporting events. Industry leaders shared local and overseas case studies and best practices, covering topics including the prevention of phishing and counterfeit ticket websites, website security, system intrusion protection and social media account security. The tabletop exercise simulated pre-event situations where the organiser and stakeholders received malicious and false information, their official websites or related pages were hijacked, and critical infrastructures faced cyberattacks. The exercise participants conducted incident analysis, multi-agency reporting and recovery operations to better understand the potential impacts of cyberattacks and corresponding response processes. Joined by the representatives from over 30 departments, units and organisations including the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), venue operators, transportation and public organisations as well as sports associations, the event concluded successfully and affirmed the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today witnessed 30 probationary inspectors and 182 recruit police constables becoming members of the Police Force as he inspected a passing-out parade at the Police College. He urged the graduates to meet the needs of citizens empathetically, and to efficiently respond to societal concerns. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that national security is the foundation for Hong Kong's prosperous development. He outlined that police officers, as law enforcers, should have a deep understanding of the provisions and spirit of the Hong Kong National Security Law, take precise enforcement actions, and shoulder their legal responsibilities to safeguard the future of Hong Kong and protect the livelihoods of its citizens. Mr Chan remarked that the force is professional, highly efficient and world-renowned. With its extensive experience, advanced technologies and global networks, he added, it has always been indispensable in terms of international collaboration, contributing towards a safer world. He stressed that the badges worn by Hong Kong's police officers not only represent powers and responsibilities conferred by the law, but also symbolise the trust of over 7 million citizens. The Chief Secretary detailed four aspirations for the graduates, namely: “Always be loyal and uphold the rule of law” – officers should remain loyal to their work, and ensure that each enforcement action adheres strictly to legal requirements. “Be precise and professional, and embrace changes” – officers should constantly enhance their professional capabilities and application of technology, equip themselves with a global vision and insights into global policing developments, and continuously improve their enforcement capabilities under complex international circumstances. “Serve the community with compassion, humanity and courage” – officers should always be accountable for the safety of the public and strive to be trustworthy protectors of citizens. “Be devoted to our home and country, and expand global horizons” – officers should build a foundation in Hong Kong, serve the country, learn from advanced global experience, and further earn international reputation for the Police Force. In conclusion, Mr Chan urged the graduates to resolutely safeguard national security and social stability through courage, professionalism and dedication, and to serve the community wholeheartedly.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Anti-drug Summit, jointly organised by the Security Bureau's Narcotics Division and the Action Committee Against Narcotics, was held in Hong Kong today, marking the first anti-drug summit hosted by Hong Kong with the Greater Bay Area as the focus. The summit brought together representatives from about 40 government agencies and community anti-drug organisations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to share insights on three major anti-drug topics. Representatives from Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau also joined the meeting upon invitation and shared their anti-drug experiences with attendees. Around 300 participants from the GBA and overseas attended the discussion. Delivering his opening remarks, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said that the summit marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong's anti-drug history. It holds particular significance as it is the first anti-drug summit connecting Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau since the release of the Outline Development Plan for the bay area. Executive Secretary-General of National Narcotics Control Commission & Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Public Security Wei Xiaojun; Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Narcotics Control Commission & Deputy Director-General of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Liang Ruiguo; Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung; and Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region Leong Man-cheong delivered their keynote speeches during the event’s morning session. Mr Wei said that currently, the global drug trend has undergone complex and significant changes. As regards the GBA, it is where drug imports are destined and where drugs are transhipped. It is where transnational cross-boundary drug trafficking activities are plotted and where they are organised and carried out. Drug crimes have been escalating in different forms. Apart from stressing that the National Narcotics Control Commission attaches great importance to the situation of anti-drug work in Hong Kong and Macau, he added that the commission will also fully support the deepening of anti-drug co-operation between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. Mr Liang said that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao regions enjoy close geographical ties, share the same cultural roots and are interdependent. Building a drug-free GBA together is a shared responsibility and a mission that must be shouldered. He has made proposals in three aspects: firstly, to continuously deepen co-operation in law enforcement against drug crimes; secondly, to continuously enhance joint handling of drug problems; and thirdly, to continuously deepen anti-drug exchanges. Mr Tang pointed out that it has been 10 years since the GBA was formally incorporated into national policies. At this significant juncture, it is timely to review past anti-drug efforts and look ahead to the future. Over six decades of combatting drugs, Hong Kong has progressively established a comprehensive anti-drug protection net comprising legislation and law enforcement, prevention and education, treatment and rehabilitation, and international co-operation. Looking forward, he said that it must remain highly vigilant in the face of the complex and evolving drug situation and advance future anti-drug co-operation within the bay area. During a panel forum titled "Youth Collaboration for a Drug-free Greater Bay Area", youth representatives from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau shared their experiences in anti-drug work and their perspectives on drug problems.
The Fire Services Department today said it has launched an online Fire Hazard Electronic Complaint Portal. By offering an additional channel for reporting fire hazards such as obstruction to or locking of the means of escape, the department said the portal will enable prompt follow-up of complaints, thereby further safeguarding the community. The portal supports various mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. Users can simply fill in an electronic form and upload supporting photos or videos if necessary. They can also save time on data entry by logging on to the iAM Smart mobile app. Furthermore, the portal features a case tracking function that allows users to check the progress of their complaints. In addition to the online portal, members of the public can continue to report fire hazards via email, by calling the complaint hotline at 2723 8787, or by sending a fax to 2311 0066.
The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit (ICTU) conducted a large-scale counter-terrorism (CT) exercise at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal today. The exercise simulated a scenario in which terrorists attempted to launch an attack upon arriving in Hong Kong via a cruise ship, staging a knife attack and shooting in the terminal lobby. Their accomplices subsequently took a passenger ship hostage, leading to a gunfight with Police onboard. The Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre was activated during the exercise, overseen by Chief Executive John Lee, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung. Mr Lee said that the global terrorism situation remains complex. “As an international city, Hong Kong continues to enjoy overall safety and stability, but the threats posed by international and homegrown terrorism must not be neglected. “Different policy bureaus and departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government must strengthen their co-ordination and response capabilities to address various forms of terrorist attacks. “During this large-scale CT exercise, each department performed its respective duties, fully demonstrating its professional competence in responding to terrorist incidents. The relevant departments will consolidate the experience gained to further strengthen the overall CT work of the Hong Kong SAR Government.” About 500 personnel took part in the exercise. In addition to the Security Bureau and the six ICTU member departments, namely the Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs & Excise Department, the Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department and the Government Flying Service, staff from the Marine Department, the Government Laboratory, the Hospital Authority and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal also actively participated and assisted in co-ordinating the exercise. The ICTU attaches great importance to public engagement. For the first time, the exercise was broadcast live on television and online, enabling the public to observe in real time and further enhance their counter-terrorism awareness. Nearly 200 volunteers from various community and youth organisations across different sectors and age groups were invited to participate in the exercise. To strengthen CT preparedness, the CE's 2024 Policy Address announced the establishment of the Three-tier Prevention Framework. Mr Lee directed at the first Chief Executive Counter-terrorism Steering Group meeting that relevant bureaus and departments should conduct a large-scale interdepartmental CT exercise. Under the co-ordination of the Three-tier Prevention Framework, relevant bureaus and departments will continue to strengthen their CT preparedness in various areas, including enhancing intelligence exchange, expanding community intelligence networks, preventing radicalisation, enhancing public education and organising diverse CT exercises.