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2025
The Working Guidelines on the Panel of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Arbitrators, jointly promulgated by the legal departments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau came into effect today, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said. The nomination exercise for GBA arbitrators (Hong Kong), conducted according to the working guidelines, also commenced today. The legal systems, as well as the arbitration models, systems and development among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau within the GBA are different. To promote the complementary advantages of arbitration resources and facilitate the interface of the arbitration mechanisms of the three places, the trio jointly agreed to establish the panel of GBA arbitrators. The sixth GBA Legal Departments Joint Conference endorsed the working guidelines on November 18 last year, setting out the operational details such as the criteria for the nomination of GBA arbitrators, nomination procedures for GBA arbitrators, the use of the panel and the supervisory regulations. Email the DoJ’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Team for enquiries.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung explained today that the disciplined and auxiliary services utilise drones of different sizes, and related systems, to enhance operational efficiency and make better use of manpower resources. Mr Tang was outlining the scope of tasks performed by the departments’ unmanned aircraft in response to questions raised by lawmaker Chan Yuet-ming. To assist in investigations and evidence collection, he said the Police Force, the Customs & Excise Department and the Immigration Department all use drones with high-resolution cameras to capture video at crime scenes, especially in rural areas and at sea, where access is relatively difficult. He added that in May the force launched a Pilot Scheme for Operational Deployment of Drones, which involves using drones to perform patrols in the Border District and Kowloon West Region. In the Border District, the force deploys an automated drone docking system that leverages smart planning of flight paths to enable automatic patrol operations. Meanwhile, in Kowloon West Region, patrol coverage is expanded through flexible deployment of drones for high-altitude patrols. Mr Tang highlighted that since the pilot scheme was launched, drones have helped Police in four separate cases, leading to three people being arrested. The force will look at ways to enhance the pilot scheme and have scheduled its expansion to Cheung Chau Division and the Central District in the fourth quarter of this year. On the use of drones for monitoring crowds and traffic flows at large‑scale events, the security chief said potential safety hazards are promptly identified through real-time images recorded by the drones. Moreover, using a drone system capable of hovering at designated locations for extended periods of time allows the force to send safety reminders to members of the public. When it comes to searching for missing people, the Police Force, the Fire Services Department and the Civil Aid Service all use drones to surmount harsh conditions and quickly reach difficult locations such as cliffs and mountains. Throughout the rescue process, drones can also conduct surveillance to ensure site safety. Moreover, drones can take high-definition photographs of debris that can be used in the production of three-dimensional models, thereby facilitating the planning of rescue operations by ground rescue personnel. Mr Tang elaborated that in firefighting, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras are used by the Fire Services Department to monitor temperature changes at fire scenes from multiple angles in the air. Based on such data, incident commanders can work out firefighting strategies and devise entry and evacuation routes to enhance operational efficiency and ensure the safety of rescue workers. Furthermore, to strengthen the security of prisons and detention facilities, drone technology is employed by the Correctional Services Department and the Immigration Department to assist in facility inspections – for example, examining deterioration in boundary fencing and checking roof-tops for anomalous objects – and to help with emergency response actions. The security chief stressed that in applying drone technology, the disciplined and auxiliary services exercise stringent control and supervision to ensure their operations comply with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. The departments also strictly follow the Guidance on CCTV Surveillance & Use of Drones, issued by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, to avoid unnecessary proximity to the public and residential areas, he added.
With the renovation project for the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) headquarters building completed, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Cui Jianchun visited the headquarters building today. The renovation project completion signifies that the building is fully equipped and ready to serve as the IOMed headquarters and for other related purposes in the future. Mr Lam and Mr Cui toured various areas including the main lobby, conference rooms, mediation rooms and exhibition areas of the headquarters, and were briefed on the revitalisation process and facilities. The IOMed headquarters building was converted from the Old Wan Chai Police Station, a Grade 2 historic building. The design principle of the conversion was to complement the image and functionality of the IOMed headquarters by preserving the original architectural features of the old police station while adopting minimal and reversible alterations. As the first international intergovernmental legal organisation dedicated to the use of mediation in resolving international disputes, the IOMed headquarters is located in a landmark architectural building in the central business district of Hong Kong. This not only accentuates the special international status of the IOMed and accommodates its operational needs, but also fosters the conservation and revitalisation of the Old Wan Chai Police Station, reflecting the emphasis and determination of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in preserving and revitalising historical buildings. With the proactive efforts of the Hong Kong SAR Government and co-operation from various parties, the headquarters building project was completed quickly and efficiently in about a year and a half, fulfilling the target set out in the supplement of last year's Policy Address, to enable the official establishment of the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong after the entry into force of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation. Following the completion of the project, the headquarters building will be officially handed over to the IOMed Preparatory Office on August 1 to make good preparation use for the establishment and opening of the IOMed.
The bilingual version of the “Annotations of the Hong Kong National Security Law & Sedition Offences in the Crimes Ordinance” has been updated, the Department of Justice announced today. The annotations now cover judgments of cases relating to national security up to January 31 this year, and the Court of Final Appeal’s judgments in two important cases in March. The relevant provisions of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (6 of 2024), the Safeguarding National Security (Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Regulation, and the Safeguarding National Security (Declaration of Prohibited Places) Order, are also referred to. The department noted that since the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law in 2020, all judicial decisions in national security cases are made public in an open and transparent manner. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said: “The focus of national security education is to cultivate the self-awareness of the general public in safeguarding national security. To this end, we must deepen and strengthen the public’s understanding of the laws on safeguarding national security and relevant rule of law principles.” The annotations provide a simple and practical tool to assist the public in comprehending national security laws and cases, he added.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly opposes and disapproves of smears by government officials and politicians from the US, Canada and Australia, and by anti-China organisations, regarding its lawful acts to pursue individuals wanted in connection with national security offences who have absconded from Hong Kong. Nineteen people suspected of involvement in a subversive organisation named the “Hong Kong Parliament”, in breach of Article 22 of the National Security Law (HKNSL), have been put on the city’s wanted list. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government explained that the HKNSL is applicable to Hong Kong permanent residents, and to incorporated or unincorporated bodies set up in Hong Kong, if such residents or bodies commit offences under the HKNSL outside the Hong Kong SAR. Additionally, it said, the HKNSL is applicable where offences under it are committed elsewhere against the Hong Kong SAR by individuals who are not Hong Kong permanent residents. The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that the Hong Kong Police Force therefore has a responsibility to pursue, in accordance with the law, people suspected of committing offences under the HKNSL outside of Hong Kong. Acts smearing Hong Kong’s work to safeguard national security are hypocritical and irresponsible, and will not win any public support, it added. The statement iterated that both the HKNSL 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, but clarified that the Hong Kong SAR Government will not condone criminal acts, and will not give up pursuing them those who commit them. Emphasising that absconders should not think that they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong, the Hong Kong SAR Government also remarked that no country or organisation should harbour criminals or try to exonerate absconders. Any attempt by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong’s situation will be doomed to fail, the Hong Kong SAR Government added, reiterating that it will continue to discharge its duty in safeguarding national security unwaveringly.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) and relevant central ministries held the eighth Joint Conference on Advancing Hong Kong's Full Participation in & Contribution to the Belt & Road Initiative in Beijing today. NDRC Vice Chairman Zhou Haibing attended the conference, together with representatives from the commission, the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission of the State Council, and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, in his capacity as chairperson of the Working Group on Belt & Road Development under the Steering Group on Integration into National Development, led Hong Kong officials to attend the conference. He pointed out that the Hong Kong SAR Government has been taking forward Belt-Road collaboration to go deeper and deliver outcomes, fully participating in and contributing to the initiative under the guidance of the major steps the country has taken to support high-quality co-operation, so as to facilitate Hong Kong's integration into overall national development. With the country's support, Hong Kong will deepen international exchanges and actively utilise its advantages to exert a greater role in the nation's high-level opening up to the world, Mr Lam added. The justice chief also said the Hong Kong SAR Government is exploring emerging markets such as the Middle East, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other Belt & Road countries, while making full use of the city’s professional services, thereby building it as a gateway between the country and the world. He expressed gratitude to the central government for the staunch support of hosting the International Organization for Mediation headquarters in Hong Kong, which will strengthen its roles as an international dispute resolution services centre and a hub for international mediation. Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau, who was also at the conference, noted that the Hong Kong SAR Government will fully capitalise on the 10th Belt & Road Summit to showcase the city’s roles as an active participant and the premier platform to the Mainland and overseas. At the meeting, Mr Yau reported on Hong Kong's progress in carrying out Belt & Road work, including the ongoing pursuit of Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, pursuit of early conclusion of ongoing negotiations for free trade and investment agreements, and more. Today’s session also covered the work proposals on further promoting the Belt & Road Initiative put forward for consideration by central ministries. Relevant Mainland ministries introduced their work in supporting Hong Kong's participation in and contribution to the initiative and provided feedback on the work proposals.
Police’s National Security Department today announced that 19 people suspected of committing offences under the National Security Law have been put on the wanted list, with a reward in respect of each wanted person being offered. These individuals are suspected of being involved in organising, establishing or participating in, outside Hong Kong, a subversive organisation named the “Hong Kong Parliament”, Police explained. Among them, nine people, including male Yuan Gong-yi, male Victor Ho, male Fok Ka-chi, male Choi Ming-da, female Chan Lai-chun, male Feng Chongyi, female Gong Sasha, male Ng Man-yan and male Tsang Wai-fan allegedly organised, outside the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a “Hong Kong Parliament” election to establish a so-called “Hong Kong Parliament”. The other 10 people, including female Chin Po-fun, male Paul Ha, male Hau Chung-yu, male Ho Wing-yau, male Keung Ka-wai, male Tony Lam, female Agnes Ng, male Wong Chun-wah, male Wong Sau-wo and female Zhang Xinyan, are alleged to have participated as candidates in the “Hong Kong Parliament” election and, upon being elected, taken an oath to serve as so-called “members of the Hong Kong Parliament”. Police said the “Hong Kong Parliament” aims to subvert state power - its objectives include promoting “self-determination”, promulgating a so-called “Hong Kong Constitution”, and overthrowing or undermining the basic system of the People’s Republic of China or overthrowing the body of the central power of the People’s Republic of China or the body of power of the Hong Kong SAR with unlawful means. The 19 individuals are thereby suspected of committing the offence of subversion, contrary to Article 22 of the National Security Law, Police pointed out. The force applied to the court for arrest warrants in accordance with the law and put the 19 people on the wanted list. The court then issued arrest warrants against the suspects. Police remarked that Yuan Gong-yi, Victor Ho, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da, also suspected of committing offences endangering national security, have already been put on the wanted list with a reward of $1 million each. Exercising powers conferred by section 89 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the Secretary for Security, in June and December 2024, specified in the Gazette Yuan Gong-yi, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da as absconders, as well as the measures to be applied against them. Police stressed that they will continue to make every effort to bring all the wanted individuals to justice. For the remaining 15 people, a reward of $200,000 in respect of each of them is being offered by Police to any member of the public who can provide information on the wanted people or related cases. The investigation is ongoing, and more people will be put on the wanted list with rewards offered if necessary, Police added. The force further noted that if an offender voluntarily discontinues the commission of the offence; voluntarily surrenders himself or herself and gives a truthful account of the offence; or reports on the offence committed by other persons or provides material information which assists in solving other criminal cases, a lighter penalty may be imposed, or the penalty may be reduced. The above wanted individuals are urged to surrender to Hong Kong Police, so as to rectify their mistakes. It is illegal for anyone, no matter in what ways, including through the Internet, to aid, abet or financially assist other people for participating in any illegal activities related to the “Hong Kong Parliament” or to commit other offences endangering national security, Police added.
The Inland Revenue Department today issued an alert regarding fraudulent emails purportedly issued by the department, which invite recipients to claim tax refunds. Each fraudulent email provides a hyperlink to a website that seeks to obtain the recipient’s personal particulars and credit card information. Apart from stressing that it has no connection with such emails, the department said it reported the case to Police for further investigation. It also reminded the public not to open suspicious emails or visit the attached hyperlinks.
Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun today announced the official launch of a guide for mandated reporters' reference on child protection. The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, which mandates 25 categories of specified professionals from the social welfare, education and healthcare sectors to report serious child abuse cases, will commence on January 20, 2026, to create a wide and effective protection web for children. As such, the Government formed three professional consultative panels in each of these sectors in early 2024 for formulating the guide. Addressing the guide's launch ceremony, Mr Sun said that the three professional consultative panels comprise cross-disciplinary professionals. He noted that their professional exchanges on different cases not only have assisted in establishing a list of key factors that mandated reporters should take into consideration before deciding whether a report is necessary under different scenarios, but also laid an important foundation for the decision trees in the guide, which further helps mandated reporters make reporting decisions and serves as a practical reference for mandated reporters. The welfare chief said that an electronic system of the decision trees has also been specially developed by the Social Welfare Department to assist mandated reporters in making an analysis of the case scenarios in a swift and convenient manner only by answering simple questions. He added that the electronic system will also direct those cases that need mandatory reporting to the reporting page to ensure mandated reporters can make a report as soon as practicable. The features of the guide were introduced at the ceremony. A demonstration of the workflow of the electronic version of the decision trees to be rolled out was also featured. While formulating the guide, the professional consultative panels discussed 650 case scenarios and questions collected from their sectors in 33 focus group meetings. The valuable advice gathered from the 540 frontline professionals participating in these focus group meetings became a helpful and important reference for the professional consultative panels to finalise the details of the guide. The Government will roll out Module 2 of the online learning course for specified professionals in phases starting from next week, covering basic knowledge on the legal and reporting matters related to the ordinance, including the key content of the ordinance, a brief introduction to the guide, analysis of common scenarios, reporting procedures and post-reporting follow-up.
The Government is carefully studying the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance on the judicial review concerning the provisions on segregation of the sexes under the Public Conveniences (Conduct & Behaviour) Regulation, and is seeking legal advice and considering lodging an appeal. The Environment & Ecology Bureau made the statement today, noting that members of the public must continue to use public toilets according to the principle of segregation of the sexes to avoid contravening the relevant laws. In the judicial review, the Court of First Instance ordered that provisions related to segregation of the sexes under the aforesaid regulation shall be struck down, and suspended the execution of the order for 12 months to allow the Government time to address the matter of transgender individuals with gender identity disorder using Food & Environmental Hygiene Department’s public toilets. The bureau said the establishment of sex-segregated public toilets under the regulation aims to protect the privacy and safety of the public when using public toilets and to reflect social norms and expectations, an arrangement that has been widely accepted by society. Currently, public toilets under the department’s purview are categorised into sex-segregated public toilets and gender neutral public toilets. Sex-segregated toilets follow the segregation of the sexes under the regulation. Concurrently, gender-neutral toilets are available near about half of the number of sex-segregated toilets. They include "Accessible Toilets" and "Unisex Toilets", available for use by all members of the public including transgender individuals.