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2025
The total number of reported drug abusers in 2024 decreased by 9% from 2023 to 5,068, the Action Committee Against Narcotics announced today. The number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 rose by 8%, however, to 720. Of these abusers, 226 had vaped the “space oil drug”. The figures come from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse. The most common substances taken by drug abusers in 2024 were heroin, cocaine and “ice” (methamphetamine), while people under 21 mostly took cannabis, cocaine and the “space oil drug”. Since the first half of 2024, the “space oil drug” has been the third most common substance taken by drug abusers under 21. To step up the control of the drug, the Government has listed etomidate, its main ingredient, along with its three analogues, as dangerous drugs. The Security Bureau said the listing of etomidate as a dangerous drug has significantly enhanced deterrence against “space oil drug”-related crimes, and allowed law enforcement agencies to take more stringent enforcement actions against such crimes. The committee's Chairman, Donald Li, said he is glad that the Government adopted its suggestions to list etomidate as a dangerous drug. He suggested that the Government should step up anti-drug publicity on all fronts and said he hopes primary and secondary schools can take the initiative to inculcate in their students the values of resisting drugs. The Government's new campaign, “Don't fall into 'space oil drug' traps!”, has launched on various television and radio channels. An Anti-“Space Oil Drug” Week was held last week by the bureau's Narcotics Division and the Education Bureau. It was rolled out in all schools in Hong Kong, enabling students to understand the harms of the “space oil drug” and seriousness of crimes related to it.
The Government today clarified that information being circulated online about the launch of a "National Hong Kong Coin" on blockchain purported to be announced by the Chief Executive is fake and cautioned the public not to believe it. It pointed out that the information is totally fictitious with fraudulent intent and strongly condemned those who have attempted to distribute fake information in the name of the Chief Executive. The Government reminded members of the public to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of such content. The incident has been referred to Police for a follow-up investigation.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today led members of the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum on a Greater Bay Area study tour in Macau, in completion of a three-day, two-night exploration of national history, culture and development. Mr Tang led members in visiting the Macao Light Rapid Transit East Line South Section. They learned about the project's development and toured the campus of the Academy of Public Security Forces. The youngsters also visited the Macao Customs Fleet and were briefed on customs duties and maritime rescue operations. They also explored various sites of historic and architectural interest. Mr Tang listened to the participants' interim reports on their thematic projects. He said that the participation of students from Shenzhen University in the forum's last term and of youths from Macau in the current term has given young people in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau the opportunity to collaborate closely. He praised the potential of members from the three places, highlighting that three members from Shenzhen University were recently awarded the Good Citizen Award by the Hong Kong Police Force for their bravery in saving a life in Hong Kong. He also mentioned that seven members from Hong Kong were awarded stars given to Chinese college students for self-improvement. The group of 72 - comprising the leaders forum and its partners from Shenzhen University and the youth groups of Macau's public security forces - began its study tour in Foshan on Friday and continued to Macau yesterday. During their stay in Foshan, the group visited the Shunde drone command and dispatch centre to learn about how the district has optimised urban management through the introduction of drones and the consolidation of collected data. They also visited an intelligent manufacturing technology park, an innovation and research and development centre, and a manufacturing enterprise to learn about the development of high-tech industries on the Mainland and how various industries apply technology to improve production processes. The young people also explored the Foshan Ancestral Temple to sample the local traditional culture.
The Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution of the Department of Justice, chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, met several Legislative Council members today to discuss the way forward for developing sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong. During the meeting, Mr Cheung provided an overview of the latest developments in sports dispute resolution in the city. Both sides exchanged views on the establishment of a pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution. Highlighting that Hong Kong enjoys the advantages under “one country, two systems”, Mr Cheung said the city possesses strong potential to develop into a regional or even an international centre for sports dispute resolution. He told the lawmakers that the advisory committee is carrying out in full swing preparatory work for a pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution, and expressed hope that the scheme would be launched in the second half of this year. This can address the practical needs in relation to local sports disputes, thereby creating new momentum and advantages for Hong Kong, Mr Cheung added. The advisory committee is currently actively engaging with major stakeholders, including representatives of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. As the next step, the Department of Justice will identify suitable organisations to administer the pilot scheme and provide relevant technological services as well as formulate a set of standard rules for sports dispute resolution.
Police held the Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony 2024 today to commend 80 citizens who assisted the force in fighting crime and upholding law and order. Additionally, this year’s Good Citizen of the Year Award was presented to nine awardees for their bravery when they volunteered to help in evacuating residents trapped in a building during a No. 3 alarm fire that broke out on Jordan Road in Yau Ma Tei last year. The force also presented the Good Organisation Award to seven organisations in recognition of their efforts in supporting Police’s publicity work on anti-deception and crime prevention, as well as crime detection. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee said the spirit of good citizenship can be put into practice in everyday life. He appealed to all sectors of the community to be united, genuine and sincere in preventing and combatting crime, in order to weave a safety net for the community. Themed “Good Citizen - Good Stories - Everywhere”, this year’s Good Citizen Award Scheme highlighted that the stories of good citizens can be found everywhere. A corresponding video series, Hidden Good Citizen, featuring the stories of four groups of such awardees who were also invited to participate in the production, was launched, Police added.
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that an information security incident, involving a malicious ransomware attack to part of its computer systems, was identified yesterday. In a press release, InvestHK condemned such malicious attacks, and said it has already updated relevant access rights, isolated the affected systems, and activated back-up procedures. Preliminary findings indicated that the affected areas included an internal customer relationship management system, InvestHK’s intranet and part of its website operation. InvestHK pointed out that upon identification of the incident, it tightened its cyber security systems to prevent further ransomware attacks. It also reported the case to Police, the Digital Policy Office, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and the Security Bureau on the same day. An investigation is underway to ascertain whether personal data leakage is involved. InvestHK said it will inform relevant parties when further updates are available. It is also seeking advice from the Digital Policy Office and has appointed experts to assist with the investigation and recovery. Meanwhile, InvestHK’s public services remain normal. The public can continue to contact the department by telephone, email or face-to-face meetings. Apart from expressing hope that the culprits can be brought to justice as soon as possible, the department reiterated that it would not send embedded hyperlinks via emails, SMS messages or social media pages for collecting personal information or requesting for payment. For enquiries, call 3107 1000 or write to [email protected].
The Correctional Services Department, in its annual review, said today that the number of admissions to correctional institutions – including convicted individuals, remand prisoners and detainees – increased 7% to 18,438 in 2024, as against 2023. At a press conference, Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing said the average daily penal population at correctional institutions increased significantly to 9,550 people in 2024, representing an increase of 12% from 2023. The average daily occupancy rate rose from 75% to 85%. Moreover, the average daily number of remand prisoners hit a new record high since 2000 of 3,650, up from 3,096 in 2023. In response to the increasing population of remand prisoners, the department has deployed part of the capacity of individual correctional institutions to admit remand prisoners and alleviate reception centre overcrowding. The department has also commenced the in-situ partial redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, which will increase its capacity for admitting adult male remand prisoners in the long run. The commissioner said that the number of admissions to correctional institutions owing to involvement in offences relating to “black-clad violence” and breaches of the National Security Law or Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was 410, down 57% compared with 2023. The number of individuals in custody owing to such offences or breaches at the end of 2024 stood at 591, a decrease of 24% compared to a year earlier. To address the special rehabilitation needs of such individuals, in 2024 the department continued to launch diversified rehabilitation programmes under Project PATH. These included a flag-raising and foot drill competition aimed at enhancing the inmates’ sense of national identity. In early 2024, the department launched Rehabilitation Dog Services, providing animal-assisted therapies to individuals in custody, at Lo Wu Correctional Institution and Phoenix House. Moreover, the Rehabilitation Dog Services Internship Programme implemented at Phoenix House helps halfway-house trainees build self-confidence and develop a sense of responsibility. The department also set up family therapy centres in 2024 at the Multi-purpose Family & Rehabilitation Service Centres in Tuen Mun and Sheung Shui. These provide treatment programmes for rehabilitated drug addicts under statutory supervision and rehabilitated individuals with violent tendencies or radical thoughts. In the field of education, a two-year full-time Associate of General Studies distance programme was launched by the department’s Ethics College in September, to help inaugural graduates of the college to pursue higher qualifications after obtaining the Diploma of Applied Education. The department also extended the Ethics College to Pik Uk Prison, where it provides a half-day Associate of General Studies programme and half-day vocational training for graduates of the Ethics College who are unable to complete the associate degree programme during their sentences. Meanwhile, in December the department launched an initiative called Captain Gor Union, and an accompanying mobile application, thereby establishing a membership system for the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project to recruit primary and secondary students as members. The members will be enlisted to join activities promoting national security, national education, crime prevention, and offender rehabilitation, or opposing drugs, as well as cultural exchange activities. Mr Wong revealed that the department expects to recruit about 45 correctional officers this year, adding that year-round recruitment for the post of assistant officer will continue. Furthermore, the department launched two new technology projects – “Digital Incarceration Proof” and “Chatbot Service” – at the end of last year. People may apply for Digital Incarceration Proof through the “iAM Smart” mobile application, instead of having to visit the department’s headquarters in person. Meanwhile, the deployment of the chatbot “Ching Ching” is aimed at raising efficiency in the handling of public enquiries. In November, the department enhanced its international connections by hosting the 42nd Asian & Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators. About 140 correctional chiefs and representatives from 30 Asia-Pacific countries and regions attended the conference.
The Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution of the Department of Justice (DoJ), chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, met the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) today to discuss the direction of development of promoting sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong. At the meeting, both sides had in-depth exchanges on the latest developments in sports dispute resolution. They also discussed ways to encourage the sports industry to widely adopt alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for handling sports disputes in the spirit of embracing change and boldly pursuing reforms. Mr Cheung said that, with a view to enhancing the local sports dispute resolution landscape, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been actively engaging with key stakeholders and understands that the industry is keen to have a neutral, fair and efficient mechanism to handle and resolve sports disputes. Mr Cheung was pleased to learn that the SF&OC fully supports Hong Kong to leverage its institutional advantages in dispute resolution to develop sports dispute resolution, thereby further consolidating the city's status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. He pointed out that the Hong Kong SAR Government and the advisory committee are carrying out the preparatory work for a pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution at full steam. Additionally, he thanked the SF&OC for its valuable advice on the implementation of the pilot scheme, especially regarding the specific requirements for selecting dispute resolution institutions, the fields of disputes suitable for resolution through mediation or arbitration, and the fee structure. The two sides also exchanged views on the potential for future collaboration, including promoting awareness and providing education to national sports associations and local athletes on the use of alternative dispute resolution in handling sports disputes, as well as encouraging retired athletes to participate in sports dispute mediator and arbitrator training.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today attended the opening ceremony of the National Training Course for Talents Handling Foreign-related Arbitration (Hong Kong), which is organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and the Ministry of Justice. As he addressed those gathered at the event, Mr Lam highlighted that the Government spares no effort in implementing several measures, including improving the legal framework related to arbitration, attracting globally renowned arbitral institutions to establish a presence in Hong Kong, and hosting international conferences on legal and dispute resolution services to promote the city’s international legal and arbitration services. He expressed the hope that the training course will facilitate exchanges to bridge the arbitration systems of Hong Kong and the Mainland, and deepen participants' understanding of arbitration and dispute resolution in Hong Kong so that they can put what they have learnt into practice in future. The two-week training course, which commenced yesterday, provides a comprehensive introduction of the system and practice of arbitration in Hong Kong to more than 80 participants comprising Mainland in-house counsel, experienced arbitrators, lawyers and arbitration practitioners through lectures, exchanges and visits. Speakers include experienced Hong Kong legal professionals and members of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee. Before the opening ceremony, Mr Lam signed a new legal exchange and co-operation arrangement with the China University of Political Science & Law to replace the arrangement signed by the two sides in 2016. Noting that legal exchanges and co-operation between the two sides have been achieving progress, he said that the new co-operation arrangement will enhance mutual collaboration on nurturing foreign-related legal talents and promote the rule of law, as well as exchanges on legal issues such as international arbitration, mediation and the national development strategy of the Belt & Road Initiative.
The Customs & Excise Department handled a total of 31,242 cases in 2024, up 63% on the figure for 2023. Commissioner of Customs & Excise Chan Tsz-tat announced the figures today during a press conference reviewing the department’s work last year. Among the cases handled by the department, a majority of 68% were in relation to illicit cigarettes. This was followed by cases involving dangerous drugs and cases involving intellectual property rights infringements. Mr Chan highlighted that the number of cases involving illicit cigarettes in 2024 was up by 80% on 2023, reaching 21,284. The number of cigarettes seized stood at 614 million, 6% fewer than in 2023. He explained that the increase in the number of cases involving illicit cigarettes stemmed from a huge surge in cases involving inbound individuals exceeding their duty-free allowances. Mr Chan also outlined that the department handled 1,363 drug cases in 2024, which was about the same as in 2023. About 6.3 tonnes of drugs were seized, a 33% drop year-on-year. He iterated that etomidate, the main ingredient in the so-called “space oil drug”, has been added to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, adding that the department’s anti-narcotics efforts will be stepped up. Meanwhile, a total of 233 smuggling cases, comprising a seizure value of $4.34 billion, were handled last year, representing an increase of 5% in the number of cases and 37% in the seizure value as against the figures for 2023. As regards intellectual property rights infringements, Customs detected 783 cases last year, an annual increase of 11%, with the value of infringing items seized rising 7% to around $309 million. Mr Chan also outlined the department’s work on clearance and trade facilitation, stressing that it is collaborating with the Shenzhen Municipal Government on a boundary control point redevelopment project in Huanggang. He said the department will continue to expand its global network under the Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement, adding that it has launched a Cross-boundary Express Cargo Clearance Facilitation Arrangement to cope with the rapid development of the global electronic commerce industry. As regards human resources, Mr Chan said that Mainland Hong Kong students are among the department’s target groups for recruitment. He mentioned that recruitment seminars on the Mainland held in March last year received more than 290 on-the-spot applications. In 2023, 82 customs inspectors and 355 customs officers were recruited, and the department will continue recruiting to fill vacancies this year.