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2025
In support of National Security Education Day on April 15, the Immigration Department, the Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the Civil Aid Service (CAS) today held open days to promote national security education and showcase departmental achievements. In booth games and a thematic exhibition, the Immigration Service Institute of Training & Development showcased the technology it uses in its counter-terrorism work, detention centre management and identification of suspicious documents. Visitors were given the chance to try out facilities such as a mock immigration clearance hall and court room. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, accompanied by Immigration Department directorate officers, toured the exhibition booths and interacted with the open day participants. The CSD's open day activities were staged at the Correctional Services Museum and the Community Education Experience Centre. Interactive games and multimedia exhibits at the centre conveyed messages on offender rehabilitation and in support of law-abiding and drug-free lifestyles. Financial Secretary Paul Chan and security chief Tang Ping-keung were accompanied by Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing and Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services (Operations and Strategic Development) Leung Ka-lun in attending the event. At its headquarters, the CAS staged an exhibition and displayed the winning entries from a patriotic essay competition. Service members also presented a mountain search-and-rescue demonstration and a bicycle show.
The Government today expressed regret at the resignation of Justice Robert French as a non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) and extended gratitude for his contribution over the years. The Judiciary announced that Mr French, a non-permanent judge from other common law jurisdictions (CLNPJ) of the CFA, tendered his resignation to the Chief Executive. The Judiciary said it is grateful to Mr French for his valuable contributions to the work of the CFA and his support for the rule of law in Hong Kong during his tenure. In his resignation letter to the Chief Executive, Mr French expressed great respect for the judicial officers of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as well as their independence and integrity, adding that he felt honoured to have worked with them. The Government said the long-time presence of esteemed judges from overseas as non-permanent judges of the CFA, participating in hearings of the court, is conducive to the international legal environment and the development of the jurisprudence of common law in Hong Kong. Their continued participation alongside permanent judges speaks to the enduring strength and resilience of the court, it added. Noting the judicial system of the Hong Kong SAR is protected by the Basic Law, the Government said that the city is vested with independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication and that the courts exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. It emphasised that the presence or absence of individual judges will not undermine the integrity of the system nor impair the Government’s determination in upholding the rule of law. Upon Mr French’s departure, there are nine non-permanent judges comprising four non-permanent Hong Kong judges and five CLNPJs from the UK and Australia in the CFA. The Judiciary stressed that in light of the steady caseload, the operation of the CFA will not be affected by the recent change in membership of the court. It will continue to identify suitable local and overseas candidates for appointment as non-permanent judges. The Government indicated its full support to the Judiciary in the continuous efforts to appoint and retain foreign non-permanent judges in the future, and will endeavour to capitalise on the Hong Kong SAR's common law system, upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong.
The search and rescue team deployed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to the quake-stricken areas of Myanmar to assist in the search and rescue work, returned to Hong Kong last night after completing its mission. Chief Executive John Lee welcomed the team at Hong Kong International Airport. In his speech, Mr Lee said that the search and rescue team members overcame numerous difficulties and raced against time through their professional training, determined will and immense courage, fully demonstrating professionalism in fearlessly braving challenges and caring for those in distress. Upon completion of the operation in Mantalay, Myanmar, the China and the Hong Kong SAR search and rescue teams arrived in Beijing yesterday afternoon. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung welcomed the teams at Beijing Capital International Airport then flew to Hong Kong together with the Hong Kong SAR search and rescue team last night. The Hong Kong SAR search and rescue team departed for Myanmar on March 29 to conduct search and rescue work in Mantalay - one of the worst-hit areas. The team conducted joint operations with the China search and rescue teams for days and successfully rescued one survivor. In addition, the Hong Kong SAR team found two bodies under the debris. The 51-strong Hong Kong SAR search and rescue team comprised firemen, ambulancemen and fire services workshops personnel, as well as officers from the Security Bureau, the Immigration Department and the Hospital Authority.
The Immigration Department has been voted the winner of the 2025 Skytrax Award for Best Airport Immigration Service in the World Passenger Survey commissioned by Skytrax, an international specialist research agent of the air transport industry. This is the fifth time for the department to receive the award after winning it in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020. On April 9, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok attended the prize presentation ceremony held in Madrid, Spain. Mr Kwok stated that the department was honoured to receive the prestigious Skytrax Award for Best Airport Immigration Service for the fifth time, which affirms its commitment to delivering the highest quality of immigration clearance services. The department expressed gratitude to Skytrax and international travellers for their recognition, as well as to its frontline staff for their professionalism and dedication. Mr Kwok added that the department will continue striving for excellence by leveraging innovative technologies to introduce more facilitation measures and deliver the best immigration services to passengers, with a view to reinforcing Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub while actively supporting the city's overall development. Also during his visit in Spain, he paid a courtesy call to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of Spain and met Chargé d'Affaires ad interim and Minister of the Embassy Qu Xun. Additionally, Mr Kwok visited the Spanish Ministry of the Interior where he held discussions with the Director-General of International Relations Elena Garzón Otamendi. Moreover, he took the time to introduce Hong Kong's talent admission schemes, visa services and immigration facilitation measures while meeting representatives of several local media outlets.
The Correctional Services Department today held a national security education student forum and premiered two national security education microfilms that it produced. The two microfilms, Momentary Glory and Unfailing Love, adapted from real cases, feature stories of teenagers who were incited to commit illegal acts which endanger national security and paid a heavy price. Through the productions, the department hopes to raise public awareness of safeguarding national security, enhance citizens’ ability to think critically and discerningly, and raise their awareness of abiding by the law. The microfilms will be uploaded to various official media platforms of the Correctional Services Department and the Education Bureau on April 15 - National Security Education Day. Speaking at the ceremony, Acting Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk said that the Correctional Services Department has gone beyond the prison walls to promote community crime prevention education. Such education helps nurture young people to love the country and Hong Kong, be law-abiding citizens, and have a positive mindset, he elaborated. Mr Cheuk also expressed hope that students, through Momentary Glory, could understand that they should think twice and not commit crimes, in order to avoid lifelong regrets. Today’s forum also featured a video clip of the individual on which one of the microfilms was based. In the video, he shared how he repented, as well as his feelings after being misled into committing illegal acts and ultimately being sentenced to imprisonment. There was also an interactive session in the forum, allowing students to express their views and think from multiple perspectives. Moreover, the department arranged for rehabilitated individuals to talk about the cost for committing crimes, and their rehabilitation experiences, with a view to reminding students to refrain from engaging in illegal activities.
Customs today appealed to the public to stay alert to deceptive phone calls purporting to be made by the department. Customs noted that it recently received a number of public enquiries about receiving phone calls from +852 2815 7711, which is the same number as its general enquiry hotline, or from other local mobile phone numbers. The callers, claiming to be officers of Hong Kong Customs, tell the called party that they have seized an express parcel or cargo consignment because contraband items were found inside it. Some of the callers also requested the called party to visit the Shenzhen Bay Control Point or other control points for investigations or penalty payments, or download unknown mobile applications. Customs clarified that it has not made such calls, adding the incident has been reported to Police. It reminded the public that its officers will provide relevant information to verify the identity of both parties if they need to contact them and will not request sensitive personal information nor ask them to download unofficial mobile applications.
Johnny Leung will succeed Yang Joe-tsi as Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force Commandant from April 7, the Government announced today. Mr Leung, 57, is the Chief Operating Officer of a multinational engineering corporation. He joined the Auxiliary Police Force as a constable in 1989 and was promoted to Chief Superintendent (Auxiliary) in 2017. He became deputy commandant in 2021. Mr Yang has a wide range of operational and management experience. He was awarded the Long Service Medal for Auxiliary Police in 2004, the First Clasp in 2014, and a TIDERIDER medal in 2021.
Chief Executive John Lee announced today that, upon his nomination and recommendation, and in accordance with the Basic Law, the Central People’s Government has approved the appointment of Joe Chow as Commissioner of Police, and the removal of Siu Chak-yee from the post. Mr Chow was previously Deputy Commissioner of Police. Mr Siu begins pre-retirement leave after serving the Police Force for 36 years. Commenting on the appointment, the Chief Executive said: “Mr Chow has served in the Police Force for almost 30 years and has extensive experience in criminal investigation, intelligence gathering, policy-making as well as personnel management. He has a distinguished performance and possesses proven leadership skills. “I am confident that he will capably lead the Police Force in meeting the challenges ahead.” On the retirement of Mr Siu, who had been Commissioner of Police since June 2021, Mr Lee lauded his efforts in maintaining Hong Kong’s status as one of the safest cities in the world. “He has demonstrated unswerving dedication and determination to safeguarding Hong Kong and upholding the rule of law in dealing with the social unrest.” Mr Lee added that as Commissioner of Police Mr Siu was devoted to introducing strong and effective measures to combat deception cases and other criminal activities. “Under his eminent leadership, the Police Force has continued to excel as a world-class professional law enforcement agency. “On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I convey my heartfelt appreciation to Mr Siu for his contribution to Hong Kong and wish him a happy retirement.”
The Government today cautioned the public not to be taken in by a video circulating online which falsely presents the Financial Secretary promoting a so-called “Government Investment Platform”. Stressing that the video appears to be artificially generated, the Government said that the information contained in it is entirely fictitious and intended to deceive, and warned people not to fall for it. The case has been referred to the Police Force for investigation.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region team currently assisting in the search and rescue work in the quake-stricken areas of Myanmar, found one survivor today. The Hong Kong team had set off for Myanmar on March 29. In a joint operation in Mandalay, the Hong Kong SAR team and the China Search & Rescue Team successfully located a survivor, and rescued and assisted in moving him to an ambulance. Commander of the Hong Kong SAR search and rescue team Cheu Yu-kok said: “We have spared no effort in the search and rescue work upon arrival, and are very encouraged and excited to be able to find one survivor six days after the earthquake. “The team will grasp every opportunity, never give up and do its best to find the remaining survivors.”