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2025
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.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned the unfounded smear and malicious attacks online, after the Court of First Instance, in accordance with the law, issued an order to confiscate the proceeds Hui Chi-fung obtained from committing offences endangering national security. The court, upon application by the Department of Justice (DoJ), issued the confiscation order under section 9 of Schedule 3 of the Implementation Rules of Article 43 of the National Security Law, concerning the confiscation of proceeds Hui Chi-fung obtained from the aforesaid offences. The Hong Kong SAR Government issued a statement to provide the facts and set the record straight, stressing that the application for and issuance of the confiscation order must comply with the strict conditions specified in Schedule 3 of the implementation rules, including that the court must be satisfied the absconded defendant could have been convicted of the relevant offence and must determine whether the defendant has benefitted from that offence. It stated that the court must also ascertain the value of the proceeds of the offence endangering national security and the amount that might be realised at the time the confiscation order is made. There is absolutely no situation in which private property could be “confiscated at any time” or “arbitrarily”. In addition to noting that Hui Chi-fung has committed numerous heinous crimes with a number of criminal charges laid against him, the Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that he is currently a wanted person with a reward notice by Police and specified as a relevant absconder by the Secretary for Security under sections 89(1) of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The Hong Kong SAR Government indicated that before and after Hui Chi-fung absconded from Hong Kong, he transferred nearly $2.5 million in personal assets as gifts to his mother and wife. The court is also satisfied with the relevant transaction evidence submitted by the DoJ. According to the law, if a defendant benefits from committing an offence endangering national security and makes a gift at any time from six years before the date of prosecution onwards, the property held by the recipient of the gift may be regarded as the defendant's realisable property and confiscated. The value of the criminal proceeds ordered for confiscation by the court is determined strictly based on evidence and in accordance with the law. The value of the criminal proceeds attributed to Hui Chi-fung was calculated based on the relevant evidence to establish a reasonable value, the Hong Kong SAR Government explained. Additionally, it 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 held accountable. Apart from specifying that it is a common and effective practice to make an application to the court for a confiscation order to prevent offenders from benefitting from their criminal acts, the Hong Kong SAR Government said that laws and mechanisms for confiscation of crime proceeds are common around the world. They cover the crime proceeds from commission of any serious offence, including offences endangering national security, it added.
A large-scale stress test involving over 50,000 participants at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) was conducted smoothly today, achieving the anticipated results and testing objectives, the Government said. The stress test assessed the operational readiness of the KTSP and its surrounding facilities in organising variety shows with maximum attendance. The evaluation also covered the entry and exit arrangements as well as the related public transport facilities. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki inspected the stress test. Over 50,000 civil servants and members of the public participated in the exercise, marking a record high of public participants with a wide range of age groups. All three venues at the park were utilised. The exercise team simulated the arrival of VIPs and visiting guests during the event, with a view to enhancing the co-ordination between the KTSP and other stakeholders and formulating contingency plans in a timely manner. The exercise also evaluated the performance of the "Easy Leave" platform which utilises artificial intelligence to analyse real-time data. It facilitates spectators in choosing the most suitable route to leave the venue by providing real-time information on the crowd density and time required of each exit route. This helps alleviate pressure on public transport and crowd flows during the dispersal of large-scale events as well as ensure public safety. Police will collect feedback from users to optimise the platform operation. A number of bureaus, departments and organisations including Police, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the MTR Corporation and KTSP sent staff to participate in the exercise. The Government noted that stakeholders will optimise all the areas of work to achieve excellence in crowd and traffic management, enhance the spectator experience and minimise the impact on the community, and to ensure the smooth operation in organising mega events after the KTSP is commissioned on March 1.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam will depart for Malaysia tomorrow to attend the China Conference: Southeast Asia and relevant activities in Kuala Lumpur on February 17 and return to Hong Kong that same day. At a fireside chat session of the conference, Mr Lam will share views on how Hong Kong, leveraging its unique advantages under "one country, two systems", plays its role as a "super connector" in fostering ties between the Mainland and various regions including Southeast Asia through its top-quality legal services. During his absence, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan will be Acting Secretary.
The Security Bureau’s dedicated task force will continue to follow up on cases in relation to Hong Kong residents alleged to have been detained in Southeast Asian countries and not being able to leave, Acting Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk said at the Legislative Council meeting today. In response to lawmaker Yung Hoi-yan’s questions, Mr Cheuk explained that from 2023 to January 2025, law enforcement agencies received 28 such cases. Among them, 19 people have already returned to Hong Kong. For the remaining nine individuals, the Security Bureau believes that eight are in Myanmar while one is in Cambodia. Last month, Mr Cheuk led the task force, comprising members from the Security Bureau, Police and Immigration Department, to Bangkok, Thailand, to meet Thai authorities. The task force then established direct contacts with relevant Thai authorities to enhance future communication and exchange of intelligence, with a view to handling the cases more effectively, Mr Check highlighted. Separately, he noted that from 2023 to January 2025, Police arrested 11 people in connection with job scam cases where victims were lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. The suspects were involved in offences such as conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and obtaining property by deception. During the same period, two individuals charged with conspiracy to defraud were convicted and sentenced to 36 months’ and 56 months’ imprisonment respectively. In view of the recent scam cases, Mr Cheuk stressed that the Government will continue to strengthen publicity, including a promotion on social media platforms, distribution of anti-scam leaflets to travellers heading to Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, and making good use of media reports. He added that in light of cases where suspects met victims in bars and entertainment venues, Police have also sent officers to hand out leaflets in such places across the city.
In view of the recent abuse situation of etomidate, the main active ingredient of the “space oil drug”, the Security Bureau announced today that etomidate and its three analogues will be listed in the Gazette as dangerous drugs starting this Friday. The move aims to enhance deterrence and enable effective law enforcement actions against the “space oil drug”, the bureau said in a press release. It explained that the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2025 Order will add six substances - butonitazene, bromazolam, etomidate, metomidate, propoxate and isopropoxate to the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Among them, metomidate, propoxate and isopropoxate are analogues of etomidate. The order will take effect upon gazettal on Friday. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking and illicit manufacturing of these substances are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million; possession and consumption of these substances will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1 million. To tie in with the legislative work, the Government will launch on Friday a new TV Announcement in the Public Interest titled Don’t fall into “space oil drug” traps! and will continue placing both online and offline advertisements to promote the relevant message. Furthermore, as young people are the target of “space oil drug” sellers, the Security Bureau’s Narcotics Division and the Education Bureau will jointly launch an “anti-space oil drug week” in schools at the end of the month, during which talks, anti-drug video broadcasts and drama shows will be staged. The Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2025 as well as the Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2025, both to be gazetted on Friday, are subject to the Legislative Council’s negative vetting procedure.