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2026
The Acting Chief Executive-in-Council (CE-in-C) today ordered the Registrar of Companies to strike off three companies relating to Apple Daily from the Companies Register and these companies have been dissolved. The CE-in-C invoked the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Companies (Winding Up & Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance to strike off the three companies - Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited and AD Internet Limited. The registrar has thereupon struck the three companies off the Companies Register and published a notice in the gazette. The companies have been dissolved. In the case, Lai Chee-ying and the three companies relating to Apple Daily were prosecuted with a total of three charges of offences endangering national security. The court convicted Lai Chee-ying and the three companies relating to Apple Daily of all charges and handed down sentences on February 9. Amongst others, the three companies relating to Apple Daily were each sentenced to a fine of $3,004,500. The court pointed out that without the facilitation from the three companies relating to Apple Daily, two of the charges in this case could not have occurred, and that there were no valid mitigating factors in respect of the three companies. HKNSL Article 31 stipulates that the operation of an incorporated or unincorporated body such as a company or an organisation shall be suspended or its licence or business permit shall be revoked if the body has been punished for committing an offence under that law. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said it is necessary to revoke the registration of the three companies relating to Apple Daily, and prohibit the operation or continued operation of the three companies in the Hong Kong SAR, in order to effectively safeguard national security. The Secretary for Security issued written notices to the three companies relating to Apple Daily respectively on February 11, affording them an opportunity to make representations regarding the intention of the Secretary for Security to make recommendation to the CE-in-C. Replies were received from the directors of the three companies on February 25, confirming that there were no representations from those companies. Taking into account all the relevant circumstances of the case, including the conviction and severity of the offences committed by the three companies relating to Apple Daily and the recommendation by the Secretary for Security, the Acting CE-in-C today ordered the Registrar of Companies to strike the three companies relating to Apple Daily off the Companies Register. The three companies have been dissolved and become prohibited organisations. Any person who engages in the acts specified in the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance commits an offence, including acting as an office-bearer or a member of a prohibited organisation; and giving aid of any kind to a prohibited organisation, and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $1 million and imprisonment for 14 years. The Government appeals to members of the public not to participate in any activities of prohibited organisations or have any connection with them.
The Government today announced that the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region made the 2026 Implementation Rules for Amending the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the National Security Law. Exercising the power conferred under Article 43 of the law, the Chief Executive and the Committee introduced amendments to refine the enforcement of measures related to safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The amendments were published in the Gazette and took effect today. Under Article 43, law enforcement authorities investigating national security offences may apply measures used for serious crimes under existing laws, as well as specific measures stipulated in the article. The article also authorises the Chief Executive in conjunction with the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, to make implementation rules for such measures. The original rules were first enacted on July 7, 2020. The Government stated that the amendments published today draw on the experience gained safeguarding national security and will help enhance the city’s enforcement capabilities. Citing a complex and volatile geopolitical climate, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it must remain vigilant and fulfill its constitutional duty to continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security. The Government stressed that the amendment rules conform with both the Basic Law and the National Security Law. It noted that the amendments incorporate judicial oversight to ensure that while national security threats are effectively prevented and punished, the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organisations are fully protected. The Government assured that the amendment rules will not affect the lives of the public or the normal operation of organisations, as the offences are clearly defined. A joint meeting of the Legislative Council’s Panel on Administration of Justice & Legal Services and the Panel on Security has been proposed for tomorrow. Representatives from the Security Bureau and the Department of Justice will brief lawmakers on the amendments.
In view of the continued deterioration of the situation in the Middle East regions, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Iran and Israel to black, and issued amber alerts for the following Middle East countries: Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Due to the highly unpredictable security situation in Iran and Israel, the Hong Kong SAR Government advises Hong Kong residents to avoid all travel to Iran and Israel. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and leave or relocate to relatively safe regions immediately. Hong Kong residents who intend to visit Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE or are already there should exercise caution, attend to their personal safety, pay attention to local announcements on the latest situation and notices on consular services from the local Chinese Embassies/Consulates-General. Moreover, while Kuwait is currently not covered by the OTA System, the Security Bureau has updated the OTA webpage regarding supplementary information for Kuwait with a view to reminding residents to exercise caution and attend to personal safety. Any updates will be issued through the media, the bureau's mobile app and the OTA webpage. Hong Kong residents who need assistance can call the 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the department's mobile application. They can also message the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, submit the online assistance request form or contact the local Chinese Embassies. The information provided allows the Immigration Department to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means when necessary.