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2026
The 23rd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPCSC) today passed a decision to authorise the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to exercise jurisdiction over the Hong Kong Port Area and other areas at the Huanggang Port. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government expresses gratitude to the central authorities for their support in establishing the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area. It said that the NPCSC's decision reflects the central authorities' high regard for Hong Kong and their support for it to better integrate into and serve national development. The Government said the move is of great strategic significance in strengthening infrastructure connectivity between Hong Kong and the Mainland, enhancing interactions between the two places, and advancing the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It added that it offers a clear demonstration of the advantages of “one country, two systems”. The Huanggang Port redevelopment project is a key initiative in which the Hong Kong SAR Government is contributing to the implementation of national development strategies. The redeveloped port will be positioned as the most important 24-hour passenger land boundary control point between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. It will implement the “co-location arrangement” and the novel “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” mode to enhance passenger clearance. Clearance time at the new Huanggang Port will be significantly reduced from around 30 minutes at the existing Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port to approximately five minutes. Flows at the new Huanggang Port will increase to 200,000 passenger trips per day, and this could be further increased to about 300,000 upon commissioning of the MTR Corporation's Northern Link Spur Line. The NPCSC decided that the Hong Kong SAR is authorised to exercise – with effect from the day on which the Hong Kong Port Area and “Related Extended Areas” at the Huanggang Port are commissioned – jurisdiction over those areas in accordance with the laws of the HKSAR. The areas over which the Hong Kong SAR is authorised to exercise jurisdiction comprise the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area, the deck of the Shenzhen section of the Lok Ma Chau Bridge connecting the port, the interior of the bridge box girders accessible via the bridge deck, and the surfaces of connecting roads. The dates of commissioning of the areas, and their specific coordinates and size, are to be determined by the State Council. The use of the areas is not to be altered within the specified period. The Hong Kong SAR Government acquires by way of a lease the right to use the Hong Kong Port Area and “Related Extended Areas” at the Huanggang Port. The term of the lease will commence on the day on which the relevant areas are commissioned and will expire on June 30, 2047. On expiry of the term of the lease, the term of the lease may be renewed at the discretion of the NPCSC. Upon receiving a determination from the State Council on the commissioning date of the Hong Kong Port Area and the related areas, the Hong Kong SAR Government will introduce a bill in the Legislative Council as soon as is practicable.
The Police Force's National Security Department arrested to shop proprietors in Sham Shui Po yesterday on suspicion committing seditious acts and receiving money from foreign groups. Following a search of the shop, a 33-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were detained of suspicion of “doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention” and “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence”, contravening section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and section 25 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance. Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly displayed seditious items and sold publications with seditious content inside their shop, including materials inciting hatred against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. The suspects are also believed to have received multiple financial remittances from foreign political organisations. During searches of the shop and a residence, police seized a batch of seditious items, books and case-related documents. Both individuals remain in custody for further investigation.
The Hong Kong Police Force, in collaboration with various government departments and other relevant organisations, conducted a large-scale inter-departmental counter-terrorism, major incident and protective security exercise at Hong Kong International Airport and Tung Chung overnight. The exercise, which began last night and concluded in the early hours of this morning, was staged in preparation for major international conference due to be held in Hong Kong later this year. It simulated a scenario prior to an international conference, as delegations from around the world arrived in Hong Kong. Armed terrorists attacked members of the public and placed suspicious objects inside a passenger terminal at the airport. Concurrently, a series of knife attacks against pedestrians and a large-scale power outage occurred at a large shopping mall in nearby Tung Chung. Various departments and organisations swiftly activated their emergency response mechanisms to address the incidents. The exercise tested the co-ordination of relevant stakeholders across critical areas. This involved immediate tactical interventions, triage and emergency medical treatment of casualties, handling of suspicious objects, response to power failures, and management of affected people. By testing contingency protocols, the exercise enhanced inter-departmental counter-terrorism readiness and incident response capabilities. It mobilised over 1,400 personnel from departments and organisations including the Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Hospital Authority, the Customs & Excise Department, the Immigration Department, the Civil Aviation Department, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and the Aviation Security Company. Commissioner of Police Chow Yat-ming observed the exercise on site, and commended the professionalism and collaboration of all participating units. Hong Kong will host three major international conferences later this year, namely the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministers’ Meeting, the 94th INTERPOL General Assembly, and the XXVIII Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly. The force said it will maintain close liaison with relevant government departments and stakeholders, robustly implement security measures, and continuously review incident contingency plans, making every effort to ensure comprehensive and meticulous preparations ahead of these important international conferences.
CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong today concluded his two-day inspection visit to Hong Kong. Accompanied by Chief Executive John Lee, Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Mr Xia visited the new Huanggang Port this morning to review its development progress. He then proceeded to Kwai Chung Container Terminal 8 to learn about Hong Kong’s latest shipping industry developments. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Ms Mable Chan briefed Mr Xia on port operations, and Mr Xia exchanged views with industry practitioners. The National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline explicitly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international shipping hub. Mr Xia later met with Mr Lee and principal officials at Government House, where he also held discussions with community representatives. Mr Xia completed his itinerary and departed Hong Kong this afternoon.