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2024
The launch ceremony of the Inter-school National Security Knowledge Challenge for this academic year was held today. The competition is jointly organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Security Bureau, the Education Bureau and the Shine Tak Foundation to further promote national security messages for broader and deeper coverage. In a video speech, Chief Executive John Lee said that with the completion of the local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law, the newly enacted Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) has achieved compatibility and complementarity with the National Security Law (NSL), together forming a comprehensive legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security. He expressed hope that through the quiz, students could gain a deeper and correct understanding of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and strengthen their knowledge of the holistic view of national security, the NSL and the SNSO, thereby enhancing their awareness of upholding civic responsibility and obligation to safeguard national security. Officiating at the ceremony, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said that safeguarding national security is a legal responsibility and it is the duty of all Hong Kong citizens to respect and abide by national security laws. Mr Lam said he is glad that young and energetic students are eager to pursue knowledge of national security and hopes they can stay enthusiastic, keep learning and contribute to building a safe and stable city. The DoJ will continue supporting the rule of law education to rally efforts to safeguard national security, he added. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, also officiating at the ceremony, said that new elements were included in the event this year such as expanding the knowledge content to cover the SNSO, setting up an English section for non-Chinese speaking secondary school students, and arranging for final competitions at a shopping mall. He also said the Security Bureau will enhance publicity and promotion of national security education in the coming year to cultivate the concept of "security brings prosperity" in the community. Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin supplemented that the quiz could enhance students' understanding of the rule of law and national affairs as well as their awareness and sense of responsibility to safeguard national security, while reinforcing their sense of patriotism, belonging to and pride towards the country. She expressed gratitude to the schools for their active support for students to participate in the quiz, showing the importance schools have attached to national security education. The quiz comprises primary and secondary school sections as well as an English section for non-Chinese speaking secondary school students. The event attracted more than 126,000 primary and secondary students from 610 schools to take part, an increase of over 20% in participants compared to last year. Nine schools have advanced to the finals scheduled for National Security Education Day on April 15 next year. Highlights of today’s launch ceremony and the challenge will be broadcast at 10.30pm on Sundays starting from December 8 till April 20 next year on the "Our Home Our Country" programme on HOY Infotainment.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung will leave Hong Kong on December 5 for a four-day visit to Shanghai and Hangzhou. While in Shanghai, Mr Tang will meet Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau leaders and visit the Hongqiao Border Control Point and Shanghai Customs College. On December 7, he will then depart for Hangzhou to meet and exchange views with leaders of the Zhejiang Provincial Public Security Department. Mr Tang will return to Hong Kong on the evening of December 8. During his absence, Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk will be Acting Secretary.
The Government announced today that it will publish the Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Bill in the Gazette on Friday. Critical infrastructures are infrastructures that are necessary for the maintenance of normal functioning of society and the normal life of people. The bill seeks to impose statutory requirements on designated operators of critical infrastructures to ensure that they take appropriate measures to protect their computer systems and minimise the chance of essential services being disrupted or compromised due to cyberattacks, thereby maintaining the normal functioning of Hong Kong society and the normal life of people. The Security Bureau said there are three categories of statutory obligations under the bill, including organisational obligations, preventive obligations, as well as incident reporting and response obligations. Operators of critical infrastructures are required to set up dedicated management units to oversee their computer-system security, and take preventive measures to enhance their resilience against cyberattacks. When a computer-system security incident occurs, the operator shall report it to a corresponding commissioner’s office, and at the same time take its own response measures to restore the systems in accordance with the emergency response plan it submitted. The commissioner’s office may provide timely assistance and take remedial measures to contain the problem and minimise the chance of affecting other critical infrastructures, so as to maintain the normal operations in Hong Kong society and the normal life of citizens. The bureau stressed that the proposed requirements serve to safeguard computer systems that are critical to the core functions of the critical infrastructure, and in no way target personal data and trade secrets. It also emphasised that operators of critical infrastructures to be regulated will be those necessary for the continuous provision of essential services or maintaining critical societal and economic activities in Hong Kong, most of which are large organisations. Small and medium enterprises and the general public will not be regulated. The bureau noted that in drafting the bill, reference has been made to relevant legislations of other jurisdictions in order to establish a regulatory model suitable for Hong Kong. In addition to holding more than 30 consultation sessions, the bureau also consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Security and launched a one-month consultation exercise. On the whole, the stakeholders and society have responded positively to the legislation, it remarked. The Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for the first and second readings on December 11.
The Government will review the eligibility criteria and scope of assistance of the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) Scheme to ensure the scheme’s integrity and proper use of public funds, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun told lawmakers today. Mr Sun said through this review, the Government wishes to ensure that traffic accident victims with genuine needs receive timely assistance while at the same time, preventing abuse and severely punishing criminals who commit fraud cases. He noted that Police arrested a number of people suspected of submitting fraudulent TAVA claims using false medical certificates and other methods. These arrests were indeed prompted by suspicious applications identified by Social Welfare Department (SWD) officers during the application vetting process, in accordance with the established working procedures, Mr Sun added. Over the past three years, or from 2022-23 to end-September in 2024-25, the SWD referred a total of 575 suspicious cases to Police for investigation. Among these cases, 275 people were arrested for allegedly providing false medical certificates to the department to fraudulently obtain TAVA payments. To prevent abuse or fraudulent claims of TAVA, the SWD has reviewed its case vetting workflow and increased random checks of medical certificates submitted by applicants pursuant to the risk-based principle. Furthermore, for cases with repeated applications by the same applicant, the SWD will require these applicants to provide more detailed information about the traffic accidents for investigations. The SWD will also analyse whether the traffic accidents concerned share common features or suspicious elements. For applications involving the Interim Maintenance Grant (IMG), depending on the circumstances of each individual case, such as the length of the period for obtaining the IMG, the SWD will check the applicant’s traffic violation records with Police to verify their eligibility for the grant. The SWD will also clearly explain to the applicants that obtaining TAVA payments by deception is a serious criminal offence. Mr Sun added that apart from losing their eligibility for assistance, applicants may also be prosecuted under the Theft Ordinance, and be liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.
政府宣布，本周五在憲報刊登《保護關鍵基礎設施（電腦系統）條例草案》，向被指定的關鍵基礎設施營運者施加法定要求，確保它們採取適當措施保護其電腦系統，減低因網絡攻擊導致必要服務被干擾或破壞的可能，從而維持香港社會正常運作和市民正常生活，以及幫助提升香港整體的電腦系統安全。 關鍵基礎設施是維持社會正常運作和市民正常生活必需的設施。保安局指，條例草案下的法定責任分三大類，包括架構責任、預防責任、事故通報及應對責任。關鍵基礎設施營運者須設立專責管理單位，監督其電腦系統的安全，並採取預防措施，加強它們應對網絡攻擊的韌性。 如遇電腦系統安全事故，營運者須向負責執行條例的專責辦公室報告，同時按自身提交的應急計劃採取應對措施，還原系統。有需要時，專責辦公室可提供協助和採取補救措施，以控制問題和減低影響其他關鍵基礎設施的機會。 保安局強調，施加法定責任旨在保障對關鍵基礎設施核心功能至關重要的電腦系統安全，絕非針對個人資料和商業秘密。受規管的關鍵基礎設施營運者多為大機構，且對在香港持續提供必要服務或維持關鍵的社會和經濟活動屬於必要。中小型企業和一般市民不受規管。 當局已參考其他司法管轄區的相關法例，以訂立一套適合香港的監管模式。此外，局方去年開始諮詢不同持份者，至今舉辦逾30場諮詢會，並於今年7月諮詢立法會保安事務委員會，以及展開為期一個月的諮詢。整體而言，持份者及社會對立法反應正面。 《保護關鍵基礎設施（電腦系統）條例草案》本月11日提交至立法會首讀和二讀。
勞工及福利局局長孫玉菡表示，為完善交通意外傷亡援助計劃及確保公帑用得其所，政府將檢討計劃的申請資格及援助涵蓋範圍，確保真正有需要的受害人得到及時援助，同時防止濫用及嚴懲詐騙的不法分子。 孫玉菡今日在立法會會議回答陳健波議員提問時指，警方近月就多人涉嫌以虛假醫療證明文件及其他方法詐騙交通意外傷亡援助採取的拘捕行動，乃由社會福利署人員按既有工作程序核實申請時發現可疑而啟動。 他表示，過去三年，即2022至23年度到2024至25年度9月底，社署共把575宗可疑個案轉交警方調查，其中275人因涉嫌向社署提供虛假醫療證明文件以騙取交通意外傷亡援助而遭警方拘捕。 為預防濫用或詐騙援助，社署已檢視處理個案的工作流程，並按風險為本原則加強抽查申請人提交的醫療證明文件。此外，針對同一名人士多次提交申請，社署會要求申請人提供更詳盡的交通意外資料以供調查，也會分析申請人所涉及的交通意外個案有否共通點或可疑之處。 就涉及臨時生活補助的申請而言，社署會視乎個案情況，例如生活補助期的長短，向警方查核申請人的交通違例記錄，以核實其申請補助的資格。 社署也會向申請人清楚說明騙取援助金屬嚴重刑事罪行，申請人除會喪失領取援助金的資格，也可能會被起訴，一經定罪，最高可被判入獄14年。
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, leading a delegation of over 30 representatives from Hong Kong's legal sector, will depart for a three-day visit to Guangzhou and Shenzhen tomorrow. The delegation comprises representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association, as well as representatives from local, international and registered foreign law firms, including various non-Chinese lawyers. The group will meet Guangzhou and Shenzhen government representatives to learn more about the latest developments in Guangdong and the Greater Bay Area. They also plan to explore opportunities for further co-operation between the Hong Kong legal sector and Mainland authorities, as well as legal and business sectors of the Mainland. Mr Lam and his delegation will hold discussions with representatives from Guangdong legal and business sectors in Guangzhou and with representatives of Mainland courts and law-related organisations in Shenzhen to discuss various topics of mutual interest and share practical experiences. In addition, they will visit an innovation and technology enterprise's headquarters in Shenzhen and meet its representatives. The Secretary for Justice will return to Hong Kong this Saturday. During his absence, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan will be Acting Secretary.
In view of the emergency martial law declared in Korea, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today reminded Hong Kong residents who are already there or intend to visit Korea to attend to personal safety. The Immigration Department (ImmD) has contacted the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Korea, the Travel Industry Authority, and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong to understand the situation. The ImmD has not received any request for assistance from Hong Kong residents so far. The Hong Kong SAR Government explained that residents who intend to visit Korea or are already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety, avoid large gatherings of people and pay attention to local announcements on the latest situation. The Security Bureau, in view of the emergency martial law declared, has already updated the outbound travel alert webpage for Korea and will continue to closely monitor the situation there. Any update will be issued through the media, the bureau's mobile app and webpage. Hong Kong residents in Korea who need assistance can ring the ImmD's 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the department's mobile application. Alternatively, they can send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, submit an online assistance request form or call the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Korea at (82) 27550572, contact the Chinese Consulate-General in Busan at (82) 1085198748, call the Chinese Consulate-General in Gwangju at (82) 623618880, or contact the Chinese Consulate-General in Jeju at (82) 647228802. Additionally, Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means and on a timely basis when necessary.
律政司司長林定國明日率領逾30名香港法律界代表啟程訪問廣州和深圳，與當地政府代表會面，了解廣東省和粵港澳大灣區最新發展，並探討香港法律界與內地部委、法律和企業加強合作的機遇，星期六返港。 他們會在廣州與廣東省法律和企業界代表進行交流座談，並在深圳與內地法院和法律相關機構代表交流，討論多項共同關注的議題和分享實踐經驗。 林定國一行也會參觀一家創科企業位於深圳的總部，並與其代表會面。 代表團由香港律師會、香港大律師公會的代表，以及本地和國際律師事務所、註冊外地律師行的代表組成，包括多位外籍律師。 林定國離港期間，副司長張國鈞署理司長職務。
鑑於韓國宣布實施緊急戒嚴的事件，香港特區政府提醒身在韓國或計劃前赴韓國的港人要注意人身安全。香港入境事務處已透過外交部駐香港特別行政區特派員公署、中國駐大韓民國大使館、旅遊業監管局和香港旅遊業議會了解情況。入境處至今未有接獲港人求助。 政府表示，計劃前赴或已在韓國的港人應留意局勢，提高警惕，注意安全，避開人群聚集的地方，並留意當地就最新情況的公布。 保安局已更新外遊警示網頁有關韓國的附加資料，並會繼續密切留意當地局勢，透過媒體、局方流動應用程式和外遊警示網頁發布最新情況。 在韓國的港人如需協助，可致電入境處協助在外香港居民小組24小時求助熱線（852）1868、透過入境處流動應用程式以網絡數據致電1868熱線或使用1868聊天機械人，也可發送信息至1868 WhatsApp求助熱線或1868微信求助熱線、提交網上求助表格，或致電（82）27550572聯絡中國駐大韓民國大使館、（82）1085198748聯絡中國駐釜山總領事館、（82）623618880聯絡中國駐光州總領事館聯絡，或（82）647228802聯絡中國駐濟州總領事館。 市民前往外地時，可使用入境處的外遊提示登記服務登記外遊行程和聯絡方法，入境處會在需要時透過適當途徑向他們發放實用資料。