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2024
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today promoted Hong Kong's legal services as he continued a visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as part of a tour of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. Mr Lam met Deputy President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia Ng Yih Pyng this morning to learn more about the country's need for cross-jurisdictional legal services, and briefed him on Hong Kong's diversified professional services. He then received a lunch briefing from Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia Bilal Parvaiz, gaining a better understanding of Malaysia's business landscape and the demand from its financial sector for legal and dispute resolution services. That was followed by a meeting with Vice-President of the Malaysian Bar Anand Raj, which entailed a discussion about legal co-operation and exchanges between Malaysia and Hong Kong. Mr Lam also took the opportunity to visit the Malaysian International Mediation Centre, which was launched in January under the auspices of the Malaysian Bar Council. In addition, he met Chief Executive Officer of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Almalena Sharmila Johan to learn about its provision of institutional support for domestic and international arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Upon arriving in Kuala Lumpur yesterday afternoon, Mr Lam had a meeting with Attorney General of Malaysia Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin bin Mohd Salleh. He also met representatives from Malaysia's legal and business sectors at a seminar titled Hong Kong: The Common Law Gateway for Malaysian Businesses to China and Beyond. This was followed by an evening networking reception co-organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Jakarta and the National Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia. Attendees were briefed on various topics, including Hong Kong's unique advantages under “one country, two systems”, and its latest lawtech services for resolving cross-border disputes. During the seminar, Mr Lam witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), facilitated by the DoJ, between the South China International Arbitration Center (HK) and the AIAC, and a supplementary MoU between the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and the AIAC. Yesterday's itinerary ended with a dinner meeting between Mr Lam and Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said. Mr Lam will conclude his ASEAN tour and return to Hong Kong tomorrow.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said that justice was upheld in the District Court's sentencing of three defendants in a case of "conspiracy to publish and/or reproduce seditious publication". The court handed down its sentence today, following the conviction of three defendants on August 29. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government explained that the court has held earlier that Chung Pui-kuen and Lam Shiu-tung, while holding chief editorial positions at Stand News, had knowledge and approved of the seditious intent of the articles, providing Stand News as a publishing platform for inciting hatred against the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government, as well as hatred against the administration of justice. It added that the reasons for the verdict by the court have pointed out clearly that the ideology of Stand News was localism which excluded China, and that it even became a tool to smear and vilify the central authorities and the Hong Kong SAR Government during the movement of opposition to the proposed legislative amendments. The court found that the relevant articles, without any objective basis, attacked the relevant law and procedures; and relevant law enforcement and prosecutorial process; spread hatred and anti-government sentiment with disinformation; attacked law enforcement by Police and glorified the behaviour of rioters - in other words, they were not based on facts. The statement noted that to distort acts of inciting hatred as "journalism" is a complete reversal of right and wrong. According to Schedule 3 of the Implementation Rules of Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Department of Justice has made an application to the court for a confiscation order to confiscate the proceeds of the relevant crime. The department will continue to handle subsequent procedures in accordance with the law, the statement added. It also pointed out that the court stated in its reasons for sentence that at the time of the offence, the three defendants were not engaging themselves in genuine journalistic work but were participating in the so-called protest at the time. From the editorial of Stand News and News Stand, it is evident that they sided with the protesters against the Government. The crimes committed by the three defendants are very serious, it emphasised. The reasons for sentence also pointed out that, given Stand News had approximately 1.6 million followers, the seditious articles involved have undoubtedly caused significant harm to both the central government and Hong Kong SAR Government as well as the residents, although it is difficult to quantify, the statement noted. It added that the reasons for sentence indicated that, due to the severity of the offences, imprisonment is the only appropriate sentencing option. Regarding the length of the sentence, the maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment. The Hong Kong SAR Government noted that this maximum penalty is completely disproportionate to the severity of the offences. According to the existing Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the maximum penalty for the crime of sedition is seven years' imprisonment. Based on Chung Pui-kuen’s culpability, a starting point of 23 months' imprisonment was adopted, and a sentence of 21 months was passed. For Lam Siu-tung, a starting point of 14 months' imprisonment was adopted but due to the potential risk to his life if sent to prison, a sentence was imposed that allows for his immediate release. The statement revealed that following the verdict in this case, some people have expressed concerns about freedom of the press and speech in Hong Kong. It added that some foreign media or other people with ulterior motives, as well as anti-China organisations and anti-China politicians, made untruthful and purely political remarks smearing the Hong Kong SAR. The Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that it has made clarifications and rebuttals many times to set the record straight. It indicated that, as demonstrated in the court's reasons for its verdict, Stand News completely disregarded objective facts and contravened the "special duties and responsibilities" which journalists must observe under international human rights conventions. It also mentioned that the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights guarantee fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, procession and demonstration. Members of the public, including journalists, in Hong Kong are, as always, free to make comments or criticisms that are based on facts, and to enjoy and exercise freedoms of the press and of speech in accordance with the law, without fear of unwittingly violating the law. In addition, the statement indicated that it is the constitutional duty of the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security. In this regard, the Hong Kong SAR Government will ensure that laws are observed and continue to enforce the law resolutely, decisively and rigorously with a view to effectively preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for acts and activities endangering national security with all-out efforts.
The Security Bureau today held an interdepartmental meeting to co-ordinate the management of passenger and vehicular flows at land boundary control points (BCPs) during the Mainland’s National Day Golden Week holiday. To ensure smooth and orderly operation of the land BCPs during the holiday period, relevant departments will strengthen manpower, as well as co-ordination of transport and cross-boundary services, at these points. This will include strengthening crowd management and increasing transport frequency. Relevant departments have minimised leave for frontline officers to enable the flexible deployment and operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks. Additional security guards will also be deployed at individual BCPs to provide crowd management support. The Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by customs, Police, the Immigration Department and other departments will be activated during the National Day Golden Week to facilitate monitoring of the situation at control points. The relevant departments will also maintain close liaison with the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, and Mainland counterparts. They will take timely contingency actions to flexibly deploy manpower at the BCPs and open more e-Channels and counters to ease passenger and vehicular flows where necessary. The Transport Department’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will operate round the clock to monitor traffic and public transport services in different districts, including at BCPs and major stations. It will disseminate the latest traffic information via various channels and implement response measures where appropriate. Police will make appropriate traffic arrangements according to the circumstances. If necessary, this will include arranging for public transport to use the dedicated lane on San Sham Road to reach Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port. The public and visitors can check the estimated waiting times at each land BCP via the Immigration Department’s mobile application in order to plan their itineraries. The daily arrival figures for each control point will be uploaded onto a designated web page. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, who chaired the interdepartmental meeting, said relevant departments will maintain close liaison and co-ordinate with one another to properly manage passenger and vehicular flows, providing an orderly and smooth experience for the public and visitors to Hong Kong. The bureau will activate its Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre in a timely manner to closely monitor and co-ordinate the public order situation at various BCPs and facilitate follow-up actions where necessary, he added.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam continued his Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) visit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In the morning, Mr Lam met China Business Association Ho Chi Minh City Branch Chief Supervisor Sun Guo Qiang to explore business opportunities in Hong Kong and the Vietnamese city, and learn about the demand for legal services in the local business sector. He then had lunch with Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam Vice-Chairman Fred Burke for a better understanding of Vietnam's business environment and need for cross-jurisdictional legal services. In the afternoon, Mr Lam exchanged views with representatives from the Vietnam International Arbitration Center on recent developments in the arbitration landscape in both places and explored ways to strengthen collaboration. During a meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, he discussed the development of the legal profession and explored potential future collaborations in building stronger and closer ties. Mr Lam also attended a dinner with Acting Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Ho Chi Minh City Xu Zhou and shared with him the latest developments in Hong Kong's legal and alternative dispute resolution sector. Upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday, he attended a forum, followed by a networking dinner to meet the local legal and business sectors. The justice chief will conclude his visit to Ho Chi Minh City and depart for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia tomorrow to attend a seminar to promote Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services.
The Immigration Department announced today nationals of Georgia who are holders of valid diplomatic, official and ordinary passports may visit Hong Kong visa-free for a stay of up to 30 days starting from September 30. Noting that Georgia is along the Belt & Road, the department said the visa-free arrangement will provide travel convenience for visitors from Georgia and strengthen the tourism, cultural and economic ties between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Georgia. Currently, Hong Kong SAR passport holders may also visit Georgia visa-free for a stay of up to 30 days.
The Immigration Department today said it estimates that around 10.03 million passengers will pass through Hong Kong's sea, land and air control points during the upcoming National Day festive period from September 28 to October 7. In consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection, the department added that it estimates around 8.54 million passengers will transit through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will be relatively higher on October 1, with around 523,000 and 632,000 passengers respectively. Passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point is expected to reach a daily average of about 208,000 passengers, while the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point are forecast to handle around 185,000 and 118,000 passengers respectively. To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the department has minimised leave for frontline officers for the flexible deployment and operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support. Apart from setting up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point with Police, Customs and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation to closely monitor passenger conditions, the department will establish close communication with Mainland authorities. Appropriate traffic diversion plans will also be adopted when necessary to ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow. Travellers are advised to plan in advance and avoid making their journeys during busy times. They can check the expected busy times at boundary control points on the department's website and find the estimated waiting times at all land boundary control points via its app.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam started his visit programme to three countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today by visiting government officials and engaging with the legal and dispute resolution sectors. Mr Lam arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, yesterday. He had lunch with Supreme Court Chief Justice of Brunei Darussalam Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong Wan Oon, to exchange views on further co-operation opportunities for facilitating development of the dispute avoidance and resolution services in Brunei and Hong Kong, pursuant to the memorandum of co-operation signed by the Department of Justice and Brunei Darussalam’s Supreme Court last year. In the afternoon, Mr Lam attended a meeting with Brunei Darussalam’s Attorney General Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib. He then met President of the Law Society of Brunei Darussalam Nur 'Azizah Ahmad, to explore opportunities to foster legal collaboration and other exchange activities for the legal professions of the two places. This was followed by a meeting with Brunei Darussalam’s Arbitration Centre Chairperson Radin Safiee bin Radin Mas Basiuni, to gain a better understanding of the dispute resolution services provided there and discuss potential co-operation between the two sides. Mr Lam also visited the Royal Regalia Museum to learn more about the history and development of Brunei, and viewed its newest museum Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for an insight into the rich Islamic heritage and culture. Mr Lam will also visit the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque. The justice chief will depart for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, tomorrow morning to continue his visit to the ASEAN countries.
The Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum held its annual review today, giving youth members the chance to present research topics and reflect on their learning experiences over the past year, and to set a course for the forum's development over the coming year. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki remarked at the event that nearly 30 activities had been undertaken during the forum's second term, giving members diverse training opportunities. He said members also took part in study tours to places such as the Greater Bay Area and Henan Province, to experience the country’s history, culture and social development, and that these tours enhanced their sense of national identity. He added that in the coming year, the bureau will deepen co-operation with Shenzhen University, and collaborate with Macau to promote youth exchanges between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, strengthening the mutual cohesion of youths in the theee places and encouraging them to contribute to the country. Youth members shared their experiences and insights from the past year at the event. Three outstanding alumni shared their experiences of participating in the 2024 UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs Youth Forum in Vienna and, as Hong Kong youth volunteers, in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Hainan. Other members shared their internship experiences at the Palace Museum in Beijing, well-known enterprises and government institutions. A group of representatives collaborated with students from Shenzhen University to present the findings of research related to youth in the Greater Bay Area, and received feedback from guests Concluding the event, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said members had undergone significant growth after a year of learning, and that he is pleased that some alumni and members will join the Government as administrative officers and members of disciplinary forces. The Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum was established in October 2022 to enhance youth work.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam will depart tomorrow for visits to three member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – namely Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia – to promote Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services, and enhance co-operation with ASEAN. In Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Mr Lam will call on relevant government officials and engage with the legal and dispute resolution sectors to enhance bilateral collaboration and explore further opportunities for legal co-operation. He will then lead a delegation comprising representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association and alternative dispute resolution organisations to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. They will meet representatives of local authorities and the countries' legal and dispute resolution sectors to discuss various aspects of legal co-operation. During the trip, the Secretary for Justice and the delegates will also address the legal and business sectors in Ho Chi Minh City at a forum and a networking dinner, and in Kuala Lumpur at a seminar and a networking reception aimed at promoting Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services. Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on September 28. During his absence, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan will be Acting Secretary.
The Magistrates' Court today sentenced a defendant to 14 months' imprisonment for "doing with a seditious intention an act or acts that had a seditious intention" under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The defendant had earlier pleaded guilty to the offence. The magistrate clearly pointed out in the reasons for sentencing that the content of the seditious words in this case involved advocating divesting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government from the lawful governance of the central authorities, and putting his agenda into action by undermining social tranquility and public order, seriously endangering the unity and territorial integrity of the state. The magistrate also stated that the defendant intended to bring other people into hatred and contempt against the Hong Kong SAR Government and law enforcement agencies, resulting in social rift and division. If the law does not intervene in time, it will make society once again fall into chaos, the magistrate added. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the conviction and sentencing of the defendant demonstrates that any person intending to endanger national security or incite social hatred can never escape sanctions of the law. Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, where laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable. People who break the law must face legal sanctions for their malicious acts, it added. The statement also noted that the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights guarantee fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, procession and demonstration. It added that clear lines have been drawn between unlawful seditious acts and expressions, and lawful constructive criticisms under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that the relevant provisions are unambiguous and reminded members of the public not to defy the law.