You are here
RSS list
2025
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.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned the out-of-context and fact-twisting reports on the court hearing of the case of Lai Chee-ying made by some foreign media including the US-based Cable News Network. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that Lai Chee-ying has been receiving appropriate treatment during his detention. It also said the reports made by some foreign media attempt to mislead the public into believing that Lai Chee-ying did not receive the medical care he needed, in order to smear Lai Chee-ying's case under the Hong Kong National Security Law as well as his custodial arrangements and the medical care services provided to him. The statement noted that the reports' aim to smear and undermine Hong Kong's rule of law is despicable and violates the professional conduct of journalists. The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that during today's open court hearing, senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying clearly presented to the court that the correctional institutions arrange daily medical checkups for Lai Chee-ying and that there had been no complaints at all regarding the medical care he receives there. The Court commended the Correctional Services Department (CSD), while the Department of Justice stated that the prosecution is equally concerned about Lai Chee-ying's health and well-being. Therefore, the CSD has arranged for a professional medical team to be on standby on the spot, ready to respond to any emergency immediately if needed. The statement said external forces and anti-China media chose to turn a blind eye to the facts, and continued to repeat lies and engage in despicable operations. It added that their wrongdoings must sternly denounced. The Hong Kong SAR Government also pointed out that before attending court, Lai Chee-ying has been certified by medical doctors that he was physically and mentally fit for court hearing. The statement also noted that doctors stationed at correctional institutions and specialists from the Hospital Authority (HA) regularly follow-up on Lai Chee-ying's health conditions. As revealed during the hearing today, in view of Lai Chee-ying's claims of heart palpitations, after a visiting specialist from the HA conducted a detailed examination on him on August 7, no abnormality was found. That said, as a precaution, the specialist recommended prescribing medication to Lai Chee-ying to be taken as and when needed, and that he should wear a cardiac monitoring device, but Lai Chee-ying declined the advice of the specialist. On August 13, the CSD arranged for another detailed examination by a specialist from the HA. The specialist again recommended that Lai Chee-ying wear a device to monitor his cardiac condition, which Lai Chee-ying accepted in the end. The HA and the CSD immediately made such arrangements within a short period of time. The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that the CSD is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy, and that an environment with good ventilation, appropriate and timely medical support as well as healthy and nutritious meals are provided. The CSD has also put in place an established mechanism, including regular independent visitors, namely Justices of the Peace, who inspect the prisons to ensure the rights of persons in custody (PICs) are protected. The Hong Kong SAR Government made it clear that the medical care received by Lai Chee-ying in custody is adequate and comprehensive. The CSD supports PICs with medical services provided by the Department of Health and the HA. In general, examination and treatment are conducted by medical staff stationed in CSD facilities. Based on the needs of individual PICs, cases will be referred to specialist departments under the HA for further follow-up. Hong Kong's medical standards are highly regarded worldwide. Professional medical staff provide the most suitable medical services to patients as soon as possible, and PICs are treated equally. The Hong Kong SAR Government said the CSD and relevant units also adopt the above arrangements when handling matters related to Lai Chee-ying, which are no different from those applicable to other PICs.
Hong Kong and Shenzhen officials today held a task force meeting with regard to the planning and development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points. The meeting, held in Shenzhen, was attended by a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation led by Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, and a Shenzhen Municipal Government delegation led by Shenzhen Vice Mayor Luo Huanghao. The two parties discussed the planning and development of land boundary control points (BCPs), including the redevelopment of BCPs in Huanggang and Sha Tau Kok, and the transfer of the Man Kam To BCP food control function. Mr Tang remarked that Hong Kong-Shenzhen BCPs are key transportation hubs in the Greater Bay Area and serve as vital channels for economic exchange. He added that professional planning and efficient management can bring residents and enterprises in both regions more convenience. He also expressed gratitude to Shenzhen for arranging a visit to the Huanggang port tower, and said he was pleased to learn that the new Huanggang Port redevelopment project is progressing smoothly. He highlighted that Hong Kong lawmakers voiced their support for the project when it was presented to the Legislative Council Panel on Security last month. Concluding the meeting, the Hong Kong security chief said he will continue to work on ensuring the BCP projects’ smooth implementation, and to adjust strategies where necessary in order to address challenges, realise the modernisation of control points and meet citizens’ needs. Other Hong Kong officials attending the meeting included representatives from the Transport & Logistics Bureau, the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, the Environment & Ecology Bureau, the Customs & Excise Department, the Immigration Department, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Transport Department.