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The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit (ICTU) conducted a large-scale counter-terrorism (CT) exercise at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal today. The exercise simulated a scenario in which terrorists attempted to launch an attack upon arriving in Hong Kong via a cruise ship, staging a knife attack and shooting in the terminal lobby. Their accomplices subsequently took a passenger ship hostage, leading to a gunfight with Police onboard. The Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre was activated during the exercise, overseen by Chief Executive John Lee, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung. Mr Lee said that the global terrorism situation remains complex. “As an international city, Hong Kong continues to enjoy overall safety and stability, but the threats posed by international and homegrown terrorism must not be neglected. “Different policy bureaus and departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government must strengthen their co-ordination and response capabilities to address various forms of terrorist attacks. “During this large-scale CT exercise, each department performed its respective duties, fully demonstrating its professional competence in responding to terrorist incidents. The relevant departments will consolidate the experience gained to further strengthen the overall CT work of the Hong Kong SAR Government.” About 500 personnel took part in the exercise. In addition to the Security Bureau and the six ICTU member departments, namely the Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs & Excise Department, the Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department and the Government Flying Service, staff from the Marine Department, the Government Laboratory, the Hospital Authority and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal also actively participated and assisted in co-ordinating the exercise. The ICTU attaches great importance to public engagement. For the first time, the exercise was broadcast live on television and online, enabling the public to observe in real time and further enhance their counter-terrorism awareness. Nearly 200 volunteers from various community and youth organisations across different sectors and age groups were invited to participate in the exercise. To strengthen CT preparedness, the CE's 2024 Policy Address announced the establishment of the Three-tier Prevention Framework. Mr Lee directed at the first Chief Executive Counter-terrorism Steering Group meeting that relevant bureaus and departments should conduct a large-scale interdepartmental CT exercise. Under the co-ordination of the Three-tier Prevention Framework, relevant bureaus and departments will continue to strengthen their CT preparedness in various areas, including enhancing intelligence exchange, expanding community intelligence networks, preventing radicalisation, enhancing public education and organising diverse CT exercises.
The Department of Justice’s Prosecutions Division today released its annual report, Prosecutions Hong Kong 2024, which reviews its prosecution work of the year. In the Director's Overview of the report, Director of Public Prosecutions Maggie Yang emphasised that the cardinal principle of prosecutorial independence as enshrined in the Basic Law Article 63 continues to be the cornerstone of the operations to enable the department to control criminal prosecutions free from any interference. She also stated that the Prosecutions Division’s continued commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability reinforces public trust in the integrity and efficiency of the city's criminal justice system. Apart from stressing that all prosecutorial decisions made by it are based on the law, the evidence and the Prosecution Code, the department noted that prosecutors do not consider, and would not be influenced by irrelevant considerations such as political or individual interests, possible media or public reaction and personal feelings or beliefs of the prosecutors. The report sets out the important achievements made by the Prosecutions Division last year, which include hosting the 11th Asia & Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors, which underscored Hong Kong's unwavering commitment to international collaboration and its constant pursuit of the highest standards of prosecutorial excellence. The event was also a testament to the fact that Hong Kong maintains a robust legal system under the "one country, two systems" principle while enjoying staunch support from the motherland, the department pointed out. It added that the publication gives a detailed account of the key cases handled by each subdivision of the Prosecutions Division.
The Police Force's National Security Department this morning laid a charge against a 19-year-old local woman on one count of “doing with a seditious intention an act or acts that had a seditious intention”. The woman is alleged to have been involved in producing promotional videos for a subversive organisation named the “Hong Kong Parliament” from March to May this year, and appealing to others through social media platforms to vote for the purpose of overthrowing and undermining the central powers of the People's Republic of China or the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The case was due to be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts this afternoon.
Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung led a delegation to Guangzhou today to attend a Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau fire services security meeting in preparation for the 15th National Games (NG). The meeting, attended by representatives from the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Guangdong Fire & Rescue Corps and the Macao Fire Services Bureau, was aimed at ensuring the safe and smooth staging of the NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games. The three parties presented their respective work on ensuring fire safety during the games. They discussed optimising emergency response plans, improvements to safety measures, and enhancing collaboration mechanisms, with a view to optimising co-operation among the three places. Mr Yeung said the FSD is fully committed to supporting security during the NG in Hong Kong by strategically deploying fire and ambulance resources, arranging rapid response teams and medical support, and conducting systematic risk assessments and safety hazard inspections at all competition venues. He added that the department is participating in test events and interdepartmental exercises in order to enhance the emergency response capabilities of staff. Firefighters from the three places visited the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center and the Tianhe Sports Center to learn about fire service installations, safety protection procedures and emergency response plans in detail, and to assess the implementation of safety measures for the competitions. They also visited the NG Main Operation Centre to gain deeper insights into cross-regional and interdepartmental modes of command and co-ordination.
The Guangdong and Hong Kong governments have reached an agreement to allow cross-boundary private cars with closed road permits of Heung Yuen Wai boundary control point (BCP) to cross the boundary via Lok Ma Chau BCP between midnight and 6.30am daily starting tomorrow, the Transport Department announced. Apart from explaining that such arrangements will strengthen greater integration of Guangdong and Hong Kong and enhance clearance efficiency, the department highlighted that both places will closely collaborate to inject momentum into their economic development.
Secretary for Security and Junior Police Call (JPC) Honorary Chief President Tang Ping-keung today officiated at the JPC Summer Camp 2025 opening ceremony, held at the youth group’s Permanent Activity Centre in Pat Heung. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tang highlighted that the JPC, established 51 years ago, plans and promotes diversified activities to enhance a sense of responsibility, confidence and social commitment among young people. He added that the JPC also serves as a key base for fighting crime and a cradle for nurturing future leaders. Mr Tang urged JPC members to fulfil three roles, namely “Anti-drug Ambassadors”, “Fight Crime Partners” and “Youth Leaders”. He and other guests also visited a booth set up by the Police Force’s Narcotics Bureau, and interacted with JPC members while being shown rope course, abseiling and other activity-focused facilities at the centre.
The Government today adjusted the outbound travel alert for Israel and Iran to red in view of the latest developments there. It advised Hong Kong residents to adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel to Israel and Iran. In view of the situation in Israel, Hong Kong residents should avoid all travel to Gaza and nearby areas, as well as areas along the border with Syria and Lebanon. As for Iran, Hong Kong residents should also avoid all travel to areas near the Isfahan, Qom, Markazi and Bushehr provinces. The Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation in Israel and Iran and issue updates through the media, the bureau’s mobile app and its outbound travel alert webpage. Hong Kong residents in Israel and Iran who need assistance can call the Immigration Department’s 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the department’s mobile app. They can also send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit an online assistance request form. Alternatively, they may contact the local Chinese Embassy by calling the Embassy in Israel at (972) 35459520 or the Embassy in Iran at (98) 9122176035.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki visited Shenzhen this morning to meet Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government Qin Weizhong with a view to better addressing the increasing demand for cross-boundary travel. The number of passenger trips between Hong Kong and Shenzhen has recorded new highs over and over again in the past weekends. The total cross-boundary passenger traffic on August 10 reached 1.34 million, surpassing all previous records. The Liantang Port/Heung Yuen Wai boundary control point (BCP), in particular, is a popular choice among Mainland tour groups. During peak hours, some Mainland tour groups had to wait for a longer time on the Shenzhen side before crossing the boundary into Hong Kong. With the implementation of multipronged measures, the waiting time for both outbound and inbound travellers at the Hong Kong BCP is less than 15 minutes. Mr Chan shared that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been proactively preparing for peak weekend passenger traffic, including operating additional counters and e-Channels, as well as setting up temporary counters at BCPs. Through flexible manpower deployment, all clearance counters and kiosks at busy BCPs are operated to ease passenger and vehicular flows, ensuring smooth and orderly immigration clearance. At the meeting, both sides agreed that the government departments of the two places at BCPs will strengthen communication and co-operation further, and plan ahead in response to the latest trends. Both sides will also reinforce the existing joint notification mechanism to improve communication, information sharing and dissemination, with the aim of enhancing the clearance capacity of BCPs. Given the popularity of the Liantang Port/Heung Yuen Wai BCP among Mainland tour groups, and the concentrated arrival of these groups at weekends, both sides will actively explore ways to strengthen strategic communication and collaboration and further share operational experience with the goal of enhancing the experience of Mainland tour groups crossing the boundary into Hong Kong. Noting that the number of cross-boundary passenger trips between Hong Kong and Shenzhen continues to hit record highs, Mr Chan said that not only does this fully reflect the mutual engagement between the people of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, but it also continuously injects momentum into the economic development of both places. He thanked the Shenzhen Municipal Government for its ongoing and strong support for BCP operations. He also thanked relevant departments of the two places at BCPs for their long-term and close co-operation in managing every peak travel period together. Also attending the meeting were Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok and Commissioner of Customs & Excise Chan Tsz-tat. Mr Chan and the delegation returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today expressed strong opposition to the granting of asylum to two Hong Kong fugitives endangering national security who have absconded overseas by Australia and the UK respectively. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki summoned the Consul-General of Australia in Hong Kong Gareth Williams and the British Consul General in Hong Kong Brian Davidson, respectively this afternoon. At the meeting, Mr Chan solemnly pointed out that the Hong Kong SAR Government opposes any country harbouring offenders in any form and is strongly dissatisfied with any conduct that harbours criminals under any pretext. He reiterated that such harbouring effectively allows certain individuals or organisations to be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts, which is no different from granting a special privilege to break the law. “What Australia and the UK have done in harbouring these offenders totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law and is absolutely not conducive to the relationship between the Hong Kong SAR and the two governments.”Mr Chan stressed to the two countries' consuls-general in Hong Kong 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 must be held accountable. As the law enforcement department of the Hong Kong SAR safeguarding national security, the Hong Kong Police are duty-bound to pursue the liability of those who have allegedly endangered national security overseas. Those absconders are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security. It is necessary for the Police to take all lawful measures, including applying to the court for arrest warrants, to strongly combat the acts of abscondment, and such actions are fully justified, necessary and legitimate. Mr Chan also highlighted that there is no question of political persecution in Hong Kong. He explained that any arrest and prosecution are based on facts and evidence, and is directed against the criminal act and has nothing to do with the political stance, background, thought or speech of the person(s) concerned. Anyone accused of breaching the law will face an open and fair trial. The Hong Kong courts will, as always, with sound rule of law and human rights protection, handle all cases in an independent, fair and just manner. Additionally, Mr Chan reiterated that human rights in Hong Kong have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, and that the rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, that Hong Kong residents enjoy shall be protected in accordance with the law. Regarding organisations and individuals endangering national security, the Hong Kong SAR Government will not condone their criminal acts, and will not give up pursuing them, including adopting all practical measures to bring those fugitives endangering national security who have absconded from Hong Kong to justice. Mr Chan added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, whilst upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law. The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly demands that foreign governments immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China's internal affairs.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today made a solemn statement to express strong disapproval and opposition against the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country. The Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. The statement noted that following the “black-clad violence” and the Hong Kong version of “colour revolution” in 2019, a number of criminals who have committed serious offences endangering national security absconded. Among them, some even forged documents and deceived the court with false information in order to obtain the court's permission to leave Hong Kong while on bail, and jumped bail to evade legal responsibilities. During abscondence, these criminals continued to blantantly engage in acts endangering national security. The statement said those are out-and-out shameful and cowardly acts. The Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that in Hong Kong, any arrest and prosecution is directed against the criminal act and has nothing to do with the political stance, background or thought of the person(s) concerned. Arrest and prosecution are based on facts and evidence, and conducted in strict accordance with the law. Hong Kong has an independent judiciary with the power of final adjudication. Everyone shall receive a fair and just trial. The statement said any country that harbours Hong Kong criminals in any form shows contempt for the rule of law, grossly disrespects Hong Kong's legal systems and barbarically interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong. Turning a blind eye to the offences committed by the criminals and disregarding the potential security threats posed to the local community and residents, they shall eventually bear the consequences of what they have done, the statement added. Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong, adding that they will be held liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law ultimately. The Hong Kong SAR Government further stressed that endangering national security is a very serious crime and it will do everything possible and use all legal means to pursue and combat criminals who endanger national security as well as to hold them accountable, thereby safeguarding national security.