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2025
With Tropical Storm Wipha approaching Hong Kong, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki chaired a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons this afternoon to ensure comprehensive and adequate preparations and response planning by the Government. At the meeting, members were briefed by the Director of Hong Kong Observatory on the latest assessments of Wipha. According to the present forecast, Wipha will enter within 800km of Hong Kong around midnight tonight, at which point the Hong Kong Observatory will issue the Standby Signal No. 1. It will consider issuing the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 during the day tomorrow. As Wipha comes close to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary on Sunday, there will be heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. The observatory will assess, on Saturday afternoon, the need for issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals. The public is advised to pay close attention to weather forecasts and warnings from the Observatory. The Chief Secretary co-ordinated preparatory work by relevant departments in view of possible adverse weather conditions. The Security Bureau’s Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre will be fully activated upon the issuance of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8. Leveraging the Common Operational Picture, the centre will conduct real-time citywide monitoring, and integrate updates from various departments to swiftly assess risks and formulate response plans and measures. Various emergency response teams will be on standby to handle possible emergencies. The Transport Department’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will work with public transport agencies to closely monitor traffic and transport conditions, and will disseminate emergency traffic information and public transport service arrangements. Meanwhile, the Development Bureau is responsible for co-ordinating preparatory work to deal with flooding, landslides and fallen trees, and to ensure the safety of building structures. Emergency control centres in various departments are fully prepared to respond. The Drainage Services Department (DSD) today completed a special inspection and carried out necessary clearance at about 240 locations which are prone to flooding due to blockages. For coastal low-lying or windy residential areas at high risk, the DSD and the Civil Engineering & Development Department have advance management measures in place. These include early warning systems and emergency response arrangements. The Geotechnical Engineering Office and the Hong Kong Observatory closely monitor weather conditions and will issue a landslip warning when appropriate. Relevant departments have completed inspections of government man-made slopes which have relatively higher potential impacts. Additionally, the Highways Department (HyD) inspected again the flood warning systems installed at Kwun Tong Road Underpass and 16 pedestrian subways along Shing Mun River in Sha Tin, Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po, and Tai Po River, from July 16 to 18, to ensure normal operation. In collaboration with the DSD, the HyD carried out special inspections and clearance of public road sections which are prone to flooding due to blockages. It also inspected and cleared the drainage channels at roadside man-made slopes. District Offices have also initiated response measures, including co-ordinating with other departments and organisations to enhance preparedness, and preparing sandbags and water-stop boards. They will also mobilise District Council members, members of the “three committees”, and the District Services & Community Care Teams, to disseminate the latest weather information to residents in flood-prone areas.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, leading 75 members of the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum – along with others from its partners, Shenzhen University and the youth groups of Macau's public security forces – today continued on a six-day study tour of Jiangsu. This morning in Nanjing, they visited Dr Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum and the Nanjing Yunjin Brocade Museum. In the afternoon, Mr Tang led the group on a visit to the “Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders”, where they paid their respects to the victims by participating in a worship ceremony. In the evening, Mr Tang and the group met CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee Standing Committee Member and CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee Political & Legal Commission Secretary Li Yaoguang. Mr Tang thanked provincial and municipal leaders for their strong support for the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum and the work done to make arrangements for the visit. He said members had been able to experience Jiangsu’s profound historical and cultural heritage, understand the country’s development from ancient times to the present, and enhance their national identity. Led by Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk, the group have also visited other notable sites – including Niushou Mountain, Jinling small town, the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Nanjing Museum – as part of the study tour. Yesterday they also attended a thematic seminar at Nanjing University to deepen their understanding of the country’s foreign policies. Over the next three days, the study group will visit the Nanjing Public Security Bureau’s Qilihe special police training base and the Nanjing Treaty Historical Materials Exhibition Hall. They will then depart for Wuxi, where they will call on the city’s leaders. In addition to seeing historical landmarks in Wuxi, members will visit the National Supercomputing Center and key enterprises to gain insights into China’s high-tech advancements and development. Mr Tang will return to Hong Kong on Sunday.
The Government will publish the Prison (Amendment) Rules 2025 in the Gazette this Friday, which will take effect immediately that day. The amendment rules will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting next Wednesday. The Security Bureau today said the Prison Rules have been in operation for many years. The bureau added that it proposes to improve the extant Prison Rules, after reviewing the relevant law enforcement experience in the past in respect of custody of convicted persons in custody (PICs) and prisoners awaiting trial, potential national security risks and security threats that may be faced by correctional institutions in the future, and relevant law and practices in other jurisdictions. The amendment aims to ensure that the bureau can effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security as well as continue to strengthen the legal basis for correctional officers in discharging their duties. It also intends to maintain the security, good order and discipline of prisons; and facilitate the rehabilitation of PICs and protect their lawful rights and interests. The bureau also put forward other amendments to strengthen the enforcement effectiveness of the Correctional Services Department. At the same time, the bureau has reviewed and will amend other provisions with a view to making the Prison Rules more up-to-date and meeting the needs for the management of correctional institutions. The bureau emphasised that national security risks still exist amidst the present complicated geopolitical situation, and it is necessary to amend the Prison Rules as soon as possible to prevent and resolve relevant risks in a timely manner, the earlier the better, for safeguarding national security effectively. The Government will proactively facilitate LegCo’s scrutiny work, with a view to further strengthening the solid defence in safeguarding national security.
Four young inmates have met the general entrance requirements for local universities in this year's Diploma of Secondary Education, the Correctional Services Department announced today. They are among 20 young inmates, from Sha Tsui Correctional Institution (STCI), Pik Uk Correctional Institution, and Lai King Correctional Institution (LKCI), who received their exam results today. They took a total of 100 examination papers and obtained level 2 or above in 92 of them, or 92% of the papers taken. One candidate at STCI scored the highest 20 marks in five subjects, including level 5* in Chinese Language and 5 in Mathematics as well as obtained an “Attained” in Citizenship & Social Development. Two candidates at LKCI and STCI also attained remarkable results of 5** and 5* in Mathematics and the extended part of Mathematics (M1) respectively. The examinations sat included the four core subjects of Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Citizenship & Social Development, as well as two electives of Economics and Tourism & Hospitality Studies. STCI Superintendent Poon Ho-lam highlighted that with unwavering perseverance and diligence, and family support as well as assistance from correctional officers and dedicated guidance from teachers, the young inmates continuously made strides and strived for good results in the exams, which was truly commendable. Mr Poon called on the public to give rehabilitated people fair opportunities and accept and support their reintegration into society.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung will visit Jiangsu Province tomorrow to lead 75 members of the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum, and members of Shenzhen University and youth groups of the public security forces of Macau to continue a study tour there for a better understanding of the country's history and culture, as well as its modern development. The six-day study tour, which started on July 15, took place in Nanjing and will proceed to Wuxi. Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk joined the visit on July 15 and 16. Mr Tang will return to Hong Kong on July 20. During his absence, Mr Cheuk will be Acting Secretary.
The Security Bureau today said all analogues of etomidate and another six substances will be listed as dangerous drugs under the law from Friday, following the publication of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of First Schedule) (No. 2) Order 2025 in the Gazette that day. The order, which is subject to the Legislative Council’s negative vetting procedure, will take effect on the same day. The bureau said the amendment aims to deter any potential trafficking and abuse of those dangerous drugs, and will help fortify Hong Kong's defence against drugs. It added that illegal use of etomidate and its analogues are addictive and would seriously damage one's health. The bureau also pointed out that recent scientific analysis has shown that certain analogues of etomidate may potentially be abused. It highlighted that the Government is determined to safeguard the public, thus taking a pre-emptive step to strengthen the control of all etomidate analogues. Under the strict control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking and manufacturing of those substances are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Possession and consumption of those substances in contravention of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million. The bureau also said the Government has launched a preventive education and publicity strategy against the “space oil drug”, apart from legislation and law enforcement. It added that the Government will continue to adopt targeted and innovative strategies to combat drug-related harm in partnership with the community.
Two amendment regulations will be published in the Government Gazette this Friday mandating the installation of Journey Recording Systems (JRSs) in all taxis and requiring all taxi drivers to allow fares to be paid by electronic payment (e-payment) means. The two amendments – named the Road Traffic (Construction & Maintenance of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 and the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 – are aimed at enhancing overall service quality for members of the public through technology. The Transport & Logistics Bureau said the JRSs should be capable of making "in-vehicle recordings" – video recordings, with audio, made inside taxi compartments – as well as recordings of taxis' front and rear views. It added that JRSs should capture data concerning taxis' location via a global navigation satellite system. The bureau said it believes the functions will help deter malpractices by taxi drivers, enhance driving safety and safeguard the interests of both drivers and passengers in the event of disputes. To assist the trade in preparing for new requirements relating to the JRSs, the Transport Department will inform the trade of these through various channels, including its own website, the regular Taxi Newsletter, publicity leaflets and regular meetings with the trade, in the second half of this year. The department will also carry out work relating to the authorisation of suppliers starting from the fourth quarter of this year, so that the trade can start installing JRSs inside taxi compartments next year. Upon completion of installation in all taxis, the JRSs will be ready to come into operation and will have to be connected to the department’s centralised information system. To protect the privacy of passengers and drivers, the recordings and data captured by JRSs should be encrypted. Law enforcement agencies, the Commissioner for Transport and authorised persons will be able retrieve or access in-vehicle recordings only for specified purposes. The bureau outlined that, as many taxis still only accept cash, causing great inconvenience to passengers, especially tourists, all taxi drivers will be required to allow fares to be paid by e-payment means. The requirement will come into effect on April 1 next year. To help drivers to prepare for it, the department will co-ordinate with various e-payment platforms to arrange workshops or briefings to assist drivers in learning how to collect fares through e-payment means.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly condemned organisations in the US and other Western countries for slandering and smearing the Hong Kong SAR Government for its handling, in accordance with the law, of the case of Lai Chee-ying and related custodial arrangements. In a press statement, the Government said such slanders had fully exposed the malicious and despicable intentions of anti-China organisations and media to undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong. The Government highlighted that it has emphasised time and again that as legal proceedings involving Lai Chee-ying are ongoing, it is inappropriate for anyone to comment on the case in an attempt to interfere with the court's exercise of independent judicial power and to pervert the course of justice. It said foreign organisations have nevertheless continued to distort the truth, discredit Hong Kong’s judicial system and trials, and make false and misleading statements about the treatment provided to Lai Chee-ying during his custody, in an attempt to glorify criminal behaviour and exert pressure on Hong Kong's courts. In addition, it stressed that while Lai Chee-ying’s legal representative has clarified that he has received suitable treatment and care in prison, foreign organisations have turned a blind eye to this in order to carry out malicious political manoeuvres and pursue ulterior motives. The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that it opposes all such actions. Separately, the Correctional Services Department said that it handles matters relating to Lai Chee-ying no differently from those regarding any other persons-in-custody. It also reiterated that Lai Chee-ying’s removal from association from other persons-in-custody has been in accordance his own request and was approved by the department after considering all relevant factors in accordance with the law. The department remarked that remarks by organisations from the US and other Western countries regarding Lai Chee-ying’s solitary confinement therefore deliberately twist the facts, reflecting a malicious intention to smear and attack the Hong Kong SAR Government. The Government also stressed that all cases in Hong Kong, including Lai Chee-ying’s case, are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. It said the Department of Justice controls criminal prosecutions, free from any interference and that all defendants in Hong Kong receive a fair trial under the safeguards of the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.
The Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill was published in the Government Gazette today. The bill fulfils the obligation of the Government under Article 14 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights (BOR14) – as declared by the Court of Final Appeal in the case of Sham Tsz Kit v Secretary for Justice – whereby an “alternative framework” will be established through legislation for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, while providing for appropriate rights and obligations attendant on such recognition. The bill aims to establish a registration system for same-sex partnerships. It covers the setting up of a same-sex partnership registry, the conditions for registration of same-sex partnerships, the mode of application for registration and revocation of registration, and offences and penalties related to the registration mechanism. The bill also amends certain provisions in other legislation to provide for rights and obligations attendant on the recognition of same-sex partnerships. The Government said it respects the court’s judgment, and will fulfil its obligation under BOR14 by establishing an alternative framework through legislation. It stressed that the current proposal fully accounts for the actual situation and overall interests of Hong Kong, and strives to achieve an appropriate balance. The Government added that it will continue to maintain close communication with the Legislative Council to implement the bill. It reiterated that establishing the alternative framework to introduce a registration system for same-sex partnerships will not compromise the Government’s established position on upholding Hong Kong’s monogamous and heterosexual marriage system. The bill will be introduced in LegCo for first reading on July 16.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam continued his European visit by promoting Hong Kong's unique legal advantages in Rome today. Mr Lam attended a networking lunch and meeting hosted by the Italy China Council Foundation and elaborated to the participants Hong Kong’s advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. He also explained to them how Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services are conducive to international investment and trade. His itinerary in Rome also included calling on Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Italy Jia Guide to brief him on the co-operation between the Department of Justice and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) and the latest work progress on dispute resolution services. Mr Lam yesterday visited UNIDROIT and discussed its possible participation in the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy's capacity-building programme and the work of organising the 2026 Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit in Hong Kong. The justice chief also attended a seminar with UNIDROIT as the co-organiser and had dinner with former Minister of Justice of Italy and recipient of the 2024 Chinese Government Friendship Award Prof Oliviero Diliberto. He will leave Rome tomorrow and return to Hong Kong on July 13.