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2024
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today attended the 14th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference in Singapore, where he delivered a speech at the plenary session. The conference, organised by the Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore, brought together officials, prosecutors and legal experts from 13 delegations to share their views on the conference's theme “Fostering Co-operation on Combating Financial Crimes”. Addressing the plenary session, Mr Lam elaborated that Hong Kong has been adopting a multipronged approach in combating financial crimes with international elements, including adopting international regulatory standards, establishing a collaborative network for effective prosecution and asset recovery, making better use of emerging technologies and encouraging knowledge and experience sharing, in order to build a trustworthy and secure financial environment. He also mentioned that Hong Kong has established a comprehensive co-operation regime for the mutual legal assistance and surrender of fugitives, and that geopolitical considerations should not be allowed to hinder international co-operation in fighting financial crimes. The fight against financial crimes with international elements is a daunting and ongoing challenge, Mr Lam said, adding that he hoped Hong Kong and all other jurisdictions will continue to strengthen collaboration to jointly combat related crimes. At the conference's closing session, the justice chief remarked that the 15th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference will be held in Hong Kong next year. During his visit to Singapore, Mr Lam attended other related activities. As a member of the Chinese delegation, he attended bilateral meetings between the delegation and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos and Thailand, to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. Yesterday, he attended a lecture given by Prosecutor-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate Ying Yong on the theme “The Chinese Prosecutorial System in the Process of Comprehensive Implementation of the Rule of Law”. Mr Lam will conclude his visit to Singapore tomorrow and return to Hong Kong.
Police have staged the first inter-departmental tabletop exercise for the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), aimed at ensuring the park's smooth operation when it is officially commissioned in the first quarter of 2025. Over 150 representatives from various government departments and related organisations participated in the exercise. Codenamed WINGEDTIGER, it was held yesterday at the force's Kowloon East Regional Headquarters. The exercise simulated a series of potential incidents during concerts and international football matches, seeking to ensure that all stakeholders can respond to emergencies within the park effectively. Stakeholders were required to allocate manpower, adopt contingency measures, and co-ordinate actions with other units in response to different emergencies in real-time. Experts were invited to share their professional knowledge after the exercise. Police said the exercise not only strengthened communication and co-operation among various organisations, but also improved overall crowd management, collaboration, and responsiveness when handling large-scale incidents. It served as a rehearsal for various test events and on-site drills that will be carried out between now and the first quarter of next year, the force added.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam will depart for Singapore tomorrow afternoon to attend the 14th China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Prosecutors-General Conference and related events. He will speak at a plenary session of the conference, and, as part of the Chinese delegation, attend bilateral meetings between it and representatives of ASEAN member states. Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on October 30. During his absence, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan will be Acting Secretary.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today attended the launch ceremony of an induction course for the new-term Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum in Shenzhen. Addressing the ceremony, Mr Tang said Shenzhen University’s participation over the past year has injected impetus and new elements into the forum, further broadening members’ horizons and enhancing their sense of national identity. He added that the new-term forum includes members of youth groups in Macau’s public security forces, thereby expanding collaboration and facilitating developmental and cultural exchanges among Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau youths. The security chief encouraged participating youths to undergo the induction course as a preparation for doing their utmost to serve the community in different positions in the future. The two-day course is being held at Shenzhen University. In addition to team-building and training activities, members will also receive instruction on national defence and military matters, visit a well-known innovation and technology company, attend lectures on national development, and more. Outstanding leaders from different sectors, including Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games diving gold medallist Lin Yue, attended an experience-sharing session today. The new-term leaders forum comprises 45 Hong Kong youths. Twenty-eight Shenzhen University students and 20 members off youth groups in Macau’s public security forces will also join the forum’s activities in the coming year.
The Government today strongly condemned recent attempts by some individuals overseas to exert improper pressure on Court of Final Appeal non-permanent judge Patrick Keane, blatantly interfering with ongoing criminal proceedings in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Government noted that any attempt by any organisation or individual to exert pressure on judges and judicial officers, and interfere with the criminal justice process by means of political power or any other means, is clearly a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of the Hong Kong SAR and should be vehemently condemned. It highlighted that Hong Kong's rule of law and independent judicial power are guaranteed under the Basic Law, which specifically provides that the judicial power, including that of final adjudication, vested with the Hong Kong SAR, is to be exercised by the Judiciary independently, free from any interference. The Government said it fully supports the Judiciary in exercising its judicial power independently, safeguarding the due administration of justice and the rule of law. Regarding Lai Chee-ying's case concerning the National Security Law, the Government pointed out that as the relevant legal proceedings are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case or exert improper interference. The Government emphasised that all cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. All defendants will receive a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.
Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today visited the Immigration Department’s (ImmD) new headquarters in Tseung Kwan O to gain a first-hand understanding of the department’s services, latest developments and frontline work. Mrs Yeung first met Director of Immigration Benson Kwok and other directorate staff for a briefing on the department’s latest developments. This was followed by a meeting with staff representatives from various grades to hear their concerns and views. At the Registration of Persons Office, staff briefed her on the self-service personal documentation services at the headquarters. The new kiosks will further facilitate the submission of applications and collection of personal documentation in a self-service manner, thereby providing higher quality public services. Mrs Yeung also toured the new Marriage Registry. Its marriage hall has been popular since opening in June this year, thanks to its novel design with various photo-taking spots set up in the outdoor area such as the heart-shaped garden for newlyweds and guests to pose for photos. The civil service chief also inspected the Enterprise System Management Centre, which is responsible for monitoring the operation of the computer systems of all control points and offices. The centre operates around the clock and monitors the status of various computer systems in real time. It provides prompt response and co-ordination where necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the computer systems.
The Labour Department (LD) and the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) indicated today that they have taken actions following the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)’s recent arrests for suspected corruption cases in relation to training courses and working experience proof. The LD emphasised in a press release that it is highly concerned about suspected illegal acts involving the offer and acceptance of benefits to assist unqualified people in enrolling in training courses for Experienced Operators of Excavator. It pointed out that it has initiated an investigation to examine whether the training course providers and their staff have strictly complied with the approval conditions for operating Mandatory Safety Training courses. It will follow up seriously if violations are found, the LD stressed. In response to the ICAC’s actions, the LD announced the revocation of 100 certificates for excavator operators involved in the case. According to the Factories & Industrial Undertakings (Loadshifting Machinery) Regulation, people operating an excavator must have successfully completed the relevant safety training courses and obtained the corresponding certificates. The LD added that it is reviewing the admission mechanism for training course providers. With reference from the ICAC’s advice, it will also further enhance the mechanism, including improving current admission procedures and ensuring that training course providers strictly adhere to the approval conditions for operating the courses. Separately, regarding the ICAC’s arrest operation concerning the suspected forgery of working experience proof to apply for registration as Grade A electrical workers, the EMSD said that it launched an investigation in accordance with the Electricity Ordinance. After it was found that some registrants obtained their registration through improper means, the EMSD cancelled the registration of the Grade A electrical workers concerned. Furthermore, it made it clear that to register as a Grade A electrical worker, an applicant must possess relevant qualifications and working experience. Upon learning of this case, the EMSD specified that it has strengthened the vetting and approval procedures, including deploying officers to the issuing organisation’s office to carry out a check on each applicant’s working experience.