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2026
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) said in its annual review today that there were 18,990 admissions to correctional institutions – including convicted individuals, remand prisoners and detainees – in 2025, a 3% increase as against 2024. At a press conference, Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing said the average daily penal population at correctional institutions increased significantly to 10,315 people in 2025, representing an increase of 8% from 2024. The average daily occupancy rate rose from 85% to 92%. Moreover, the average daily number of remand prisoners hit 4,217, its highest level since 2000 and up from 3,650 in 2024. The commissioner said that in response to the ever-changing penal population, especially the increasing number of remand prisoners, the CSD has deployed part of the capacity of individual correctional institutions to admit such prisoners. He also revealed that the department has commenced the in-situ partial redevelopment of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to increase its capacity to admit adult male remand prisoners in the long run. In July, the CSD worked with the Government to amend the Prison Rules, with a view to strengthening the overall effectiveness of its law enforcement mission. It stated that this included incorporating national security safeguards into the legislation, and ensuring that the amended rules better meet the needs of modern correctional management. In 2025, the department continued to address the special rehabilitation needs of persons in custody who were involved in “black-clad violence” and contravened the Hong Kong National Security Law or the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. It launched a number of rehabilitation programmes under Project PATH to help such individuals gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese traditional culture and an enhanced sense of national identity. Talks were given on the rule of law and safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, and patriotic film screenings and essay competitions were organised. Mr Wong said the department plans to extend Project PATH to involve supervisees after discharge. In addition, from this month, the department has started organising exchange tours on the Mainland for supervisees. Following the establishment of the Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy last month, the department is in discussions with correctional agencies in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) with regard to holding a second GBA Correctional Services Tactical Skills Competition. Furthermore, the department will hold a large-scale seminar to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the its Psychological Services Section this year. On the use of innovation and technology, Mr Wong said the Automatic Drone Patrol & Monitoring System 2.0 will be installed in six maximum security institutions to boost security and operational efficiency. In addition, the department will continue to carry out collaborative studies with the Digital Policy Office to construct AI models, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts against inmates' participation in illegal activities. It also plans to install the Smart Visitor Management System at Lo Wu Correctional Institution on a trial basis, in order to reduce waiting times for declared visitors of persons in custody.
The Court of Appeal of the High Court today delivered its judgment on the appeals in a case of conspiracy to commit subversion, dismissing the appeals against convictions or sentences lodged by 12 defendants. Regarding one defendant against whom the evidence was insufficient for the trial court to be sure of his participation in the conspiracy offence, the Court of Appeal upheld the trial court's verdict. In its judgment on the appeals in the case, the Court of Appeal rejected each of the grounds of appeal against convictions or sentences raised by the defendants. Regarding the appeals against convictions, the Court of Appeal noted that provisions of the Basic Law establish an executive-led system headed by the Chief Executive, recognising that the Chief Executive, the Government, the Legislative Council and the Judiciary have different constitutional roles. The judgement added that interaction and co-ordination between them are inevitable in areas where both the executive and legislative authority are required. It also pointed out that LegCo’s primary function under Article 73(2) of the Basic Law is to evaluate the merits of the budget through fiscal considerations before granting approval. The judgement clarified that LegCo must exercise its powers and functions in accordance with the Basic Law. It cannot contravene the fundamental provisions establishing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s constitutional order, nor can its members violate their constitutional duty under the LegCo oath to uphold that order. The Court of Appeal said that, in this case, as envisaged and publicised by the first defendant Tai Yiu-ting and known to any participant who chose to join it, "Project 35+" was a "constitutional mass destruction weapon" that aimed to compel the Chief Executive to resign, paralyse the Government and force the Central People's Government to declare an end to the "one country, two systems" policy, which constituted an unlawful means of subverting the constitutional order of the Hong Kong SAR. The Court of Appeal said that pursuing that aim under the pretext of examining budgets necessarily amounted to a breach of a LegCo member's duty to uphold the Hong Kong SAR’s constitutional order. The judgement also noted that the defendants agreed to join "Project 35+" and participate in conduct aimed at achieving subversive consequences, and therefore constituted the offence of conspiracy to commit subversion. The Court of Appeal upheld the trial court’s findings based on the totality of the evidence adduced. It added that when considered in context, the conclusion that each defendant joined the conspiracy was sound and that the trial proceedings were conducted fairly. Regarding the appeals against sentences, the Court of Appeal upheld the trial court's decision to categorise the defendants in the "primary election" as "active participants". It found that "Project 35+" sought to undermine the Hong Kong SAR’s constitutional order through the defendants’ election bids. The Court of Appeal further noted that the defendants exploited the system to bring about potentially devastating consequences to the Hong Kong SAR. Accordingly, it ruled that “ignorance of the law" was not a valid mitigating factor, and any sentencing discounts given by the trial court on this basis were entirely gratuitous. In a statement, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government noted 45 defendants were convicted in this case. The trial court’s verdict clarified that by early 2020, the clear objective of “Project 35+” was to undermine, destroy or overthrow the Hong Kong SAR’s existing political system established under the Basic Law and the “one country, two systems” principle. The statement highlighted that the court pointed out that the defendants, led by Tai Yiu-ting, spent considerable time and money planning the “primary election”, while other defendants actively worked to ensure the success of “Project 35+”. The statement added that had the plan been fully implemented, it would have resulted in profoundly negative consequences as severe as the overthrow of the Government. The Government also noted that the trial had revealed that the people concerned put forward the “10 Steps to mutual destruction” which would bring Hong Kong society to a standstill through large-scale street riots and other means. Coupled with international political and economic sanctions, “mutual destruction” would be achieved, causing suffering to the public. The Government clarified that the severity of the crime was supported by irrefutable evidence and the convicted individuals deserved their punishment. It added that the Court of Appeal's dismissals of relevant appeals against convictions and sentences demonstrate that any person who intends to subvert and endanger national security will be punished in accordance with the law. As for the decision to uphold the verdict for a defendant against whom there was insufficient evidence for the trial court to be sure of his participation in the conspiracy, the Department of Justice will study the judgment carefully and consider whether to lodge an appeal. The Government emphasised that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. The Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that the principle of the rule of law shall be adhered to in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security. The statement said the court’s judgment in this appeal case shows that the Judiciary of the Hong Kong SAR exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence will receive a fair trial in accordance with laws applicable and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The statement noted that courts decide cases strictly based on evidence and applicable laws. It clarified that legal proceedings are never influenced by the profession, political beliefs or backgrounds of those involved. It added that the prosecution must prove an offence beyond reasonable doubt for a defendant to be convicted.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced the establishment of a high-level preparatory group for aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan and convened the group's first meeting today. The preparatory group is chaired by Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and vice-chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan. Members include the Law Officer (Civil Law), the Solicitor General, the Law Officer (International Law), and the Director of Administration & Development of the DoJ. The secretaries of the group are the Principal Government Counsel of the Legal Enhancement & Development Office and the Director of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office. In its first meeting, the preparatory group discussed the DoJ's key areas of development, staffing and resource allocation under the 15th Five-Year Plan. Once the contents and details of the 15th Five-Year Plan are released, the preparatory group will be converted into a working group to advance various tasks of proactively aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan. As directed by the Chief Executive, Hong Kong's five-year blueprint in aligning with the country's 15th Five-Year Plan will be completed within this year, further promoting Hong Kong's better integration into and contribution to the overall national development. Mr Lam said that as the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan begins, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, which set out Hong Kong's strategic position as the "three centres and a hub", to consolidate and enhance the city's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and to support Hong Kong in building itself into an international hub for high-calibre talent. In promoting the development of the rule of law, the recommendations include accelerating the development of a foreign-related legal system and capabilities, and improving mediation, arbitration and litigation mechanisms for international commercial disputes. Mr Lam highlighted that in the 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong can strive to play its role by showcasing its strengths in internationalised, high-standard and highly credible legal and dispute resolution services, and by actively contributing to the training of international legal talent. The Secretary for Justice noted that by proactively aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will further contribute to the country's efforts in promoting the foreign-related rule of law and in building a higher-level of rule of law in China.
Regarding the attack on a Hong Kong resident in Japan, the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) today said that it had immediately approached the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA) and the Chinese Consulate-General in Sapporo to understand the situation and follow up. Practicable assistance was provided according to the Hong Kong individual’s wishes. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong SAR Government expressed its concern to the Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong, urging the Japanese Government to ensure the personal safety of Hong Kong travellers in Japan in accordance with the law. It also reminded Hong Kong residents to attend to their personal safety when travelling to the country. The ImmD added that it will maintain close contact with the OCMFA as well as the Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in Japan to provide assistance to Hong Kong residents in Japan. Hong Kong residents outside Hong Kong who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the ImmD’s Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit at (852) 1868. Alternatively, they may call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD mobile application, send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, or submit an online assistance request form.