Hong Kong – Commissioner of Police says Police resolutely safeguard national security
Commissioner of Police says Police resolutely safeguard national security
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In response to media enquiries about some United States (US) lawmakers using an excuse to introduce a bill of so-called “sanctions” against officials of the HKSAR responsible for safeguarding national security, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today (November 5) issued the following statement:
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, strongly condemned the despicable and shameless tactics by certain US politicians, adding that their hegemonism is doomed to fail and will only make the HKPF even more determined and fearless in defending the spirit of the rule of law in Hong Kong and safeguarding national security.
He pointed out that every country attaches importance to national security, as it is the cornerstone of national stability and the bedrock of people’s well-being. Having double standards, certain US politicians have been wantonly smearing officials of the HKSAR and continuously intimidating and exerting pressure on with malicious intent.
He said that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China and has the constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security. The HKPF has all along been resolutely and fearlessly fulfilling the responsibility of safeguarding national security.
Mr Siu stressed that the HKPF, while discharging duties under the Hong Kong National Security Law, always takes law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law, against any people, institutions or organisations that endanger national security.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise leads Customs officers and “Customs YES” members to Xian for study of national cultural heritage conservation works (with photos)
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Ms Ho and the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, Mr Li Qun, today attended the opening ceremony of the “Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Course on Capacity Building to Prevent Illegal Trafficking of Cultural Heritage”, which was jointly organised by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and Hong Kong Customs for the first time. A total of 61 enforcement and cultural heritage conservation officers from the three places participated in the seven-day course, including 30 Hong Kong Customs officers who will become members of the National Cultural Heritage Identification Team of Hong Kong Customs and be responsible for providing support to other frontline officers in identifying and handling national cultural heritage.
In her opening ceremony’s speech, Ms Ho encouraged the officers to shoulder the responsibility of protecting and inheriting Chinese history and culture, and reiterated Hong Kong Customs’ commitment to promoting enforcement co-operation with the Mainland and Macao to combat illegal trafficking of national cultural heritage.
Ms Ho later led 50 “Customs YES” members who participated in the Silk Road summer cultural study tour to visit the Shaanxi Archaeological Museum. She and Mr Li, together with the tour members, also took part in a workshop on the restoration of Qin terracotta figures to experience the rigorous and meticulous cultural heritage excavation and restoration process, and to understand the country’s spirit of protecting and inheriting cultural heritage. Ms Ho encouraged the members to seize the opportunity to understand the country’s history and culture, actively participate in the tour, and promote the broad and profound Chinese history and culture to their friends and families upon returning to Hong Kong.
In addition, Ms Ho will pay a courtesy call to Xian Customs to exchange views on deepening mutual co-operation during her visit.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise leads delegation to visit Belgium and France and attend Customs Co-operation Council Sessions of WCO (with photos)
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Commissioner of Customs and Excise leads delegation to attend World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference (with photos)
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Deputy Commissioner of Police encourages police officers to maintain Hong Kong’s stability and safeguard national security (with photos)
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Hong Kong – Commissioner of Customs and Excise leads Customs officers and “Customs YES” members to Xian for study of national cultural heritage conservation works (with photos)
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, today (July 10) led 30 Customs officers and 50 members of “Customs YES” to Xian to learn about the national cultural heritage conservation works.Hong Kong – Commissioner of Customs and Excise leads delegation to visit Belgium and France and attend Customs Co-operation Council Sessions of WCO (with photos)
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, from June 21 to 26 led a delegation to visit Brussels, Belgium, and Lyon, France, and attended the 141st/142nd Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) Sessions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Brussels.
The CCC Sessions is an annual high-level WCO meeting assembling heads and senior officials from 185 Customs administrations around the world. It provides a pivotal platform for Customs representatives to discuss and convene a broad spectrum of issues, such as e-commerce, data exchange, Green Customs, gender equality and diversity.
During the Sessions, Ms Ho signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Secretary-General of the WCO, Dr Kunio Mikuriya, to confirm the establishment of a WCO Regional Dog Training Centre in Hong Kong, signifying a momentous step forward for Hong Kong Customs in leading canine training in the Asia-Pacific region. At the signing ceremony, Ms Ho said that as a pioneer in global customs canine training and law enforcement affairs centre, Hong Kong Customs is preparing at full steam for the WCO 6th Global Canine Forum to be held in March next year. This will be the first time for Hong Kong to host such major international event, and esteemed canine experts all over the world will be invited to participate.
On June 22 and 23, Ms Ho took the opportunity to meet with the Chairman of the General Authority of Customs of Qatar, Mr Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, and the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union of the European Commission, Mr Gerassimos Thomas, respectively, to discuss closer collaboration and explore more co-operation opportunities. Also, Ms Ho had in-depth exchanges with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Yu Jianhua, and the Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Man-chong, on co-operation between the Mainland Customs, Hong Kong Customs and Macao Customs.
In addition, Ms Ho signed Customs Co-operative Arrangements with the Deputy National Superintendent of Customs of the National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration of the Republic of Peru, Ms Martha Elba Garamendi Espinoza, and the Commissioner General of the Maldives Customs Service of the Republic of Maldives, Mr Abdulla Shareef, on June 23 and 24 respectively, with the aim to strengthen intelligence exchanges and information sharing, crack down cross-boundary customs crimes, and facilitate trade.
Currently, Hong Kong Customs has established 31 similar co-operative instruments with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China and 30 overseas Customs administrations.
After the Sessions, Ms Ho today (June 26) paid a courtesy call on the Director of Organized and Emerging Crime Directorate of INTERPOL, Ms Ilana De Wild, in Lyon, France. She commended that INTERPOL has been making impressive strides in combating international crimes and pledged that the two sides will maintain close co-operation to fight against cross-boundary crimes.
Ms Ho concluded her visit and departed for Hong Kong in the afternoon on the same day.Hong Kong – Commissioner of Customs and Excise leads delegation to attend World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference (with photos)
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, from May 28 to 31, led a delegation to attend the 24th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference in Perth, Australia.
Hosted by Australian Customs, heads of Customs and senior officials from over 20 administrations in the Asia-Pacific region, the Secretary-General of the WCO, as well as delegates from the Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building and Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific, gathered at the conference with an aim to facilitate and deepen regional co-operation and exchanges.
In the conference, Ms Ho outlined the vision and aspiration of Hong Kong Customs, in the name of Hong Kong, China, as the WCO Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region. Unanimous nomination from members of the Asia/Pacific Region to Hong Kong, China, as the next Vice-Chairperson (i.e. from 2024 to 2026) was received.
In her speech, Ms Ho said that this is the first time since 2000 that Hong Kong, China, had served as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region, which not only underscored the enduring contribution of Hong Kong Customs to regional customs affairs, but also consolidated its leadership role in the WCO. Ms Ho also expressed her sincerest gratitude for the support of all Asia/Pacific Region members and pledged that Hong Kong Customs will spare no efforts in fostering sustainable and prosperous development of the Asia-Pacific region.
The Vice-Chairperson of the Asia/Pacific Region takes on the mantle of promoting development and co-ordinating affairs in the region, while leading the members in navigating through challenges and contributing to the creation of a safe and prosperous society. Among other key issues such as promotion of green Customs, strengthening of Customs-industry resilience, etc, Ms Ho accentuated the significance of illustrating the Customs’ duties to the public and industry stakeholders through media and publicity campaigns, and stressed the efforts made by Customs Administrations in bolstering economic development, especially the post-pandemic recovery.
Furthermore, Hong Kong Customs motioned to establish a WCO Regional Dog Training Centre in order to provide professional training and support for members of the Asia/Pacific Region, enhance crime investigation capacity, and safeguard regional security. This motion also received unanimous endorsement from the Asia/Pacific Region members, marking a significant milestone in the development of regional canine training.
During her visit, Ms Ho also took the opportunity to meet with the Director General of the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia, Dr Kun Nhem, and the Deputy Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Mr Nguyen Van Tho, respectively, to discuss closer co-operation between the two sides and explore future development opportunities.
Subject to confirmation at the Customs Co-operation Council Sessions held in June next year, Hong Kong, China, will officially succeed Australia as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region of the WCO in July 2024 for a term of two years until June 2026. Hong Kong Customs will continue to collaborate and establish a closer and more comprehensive partnership with members in the region.Hong Kong – Deputy Commissioner of Police encourages police officers to maintain Hong Kong’s stability and safeguard national security (with photos)
The Deputy Commissioner (National Security), Ms Lau Chi-wai inspected the passing-out parade as Reviewing Officer at the Hong Kong Police College today (April 22). She encouraged the graduates to realise that the Force has developed from a disciplinary force maintaining law and order into a staunch and reliable law enforcement force safeguarding national security and ensuring Hong Kong’s stability.
In her speech, Ms Lau reminded the graduates that peaceful days cannot be taken for granted. The riots in 2019 not only undermined the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong since its return to the Motherland, but also seriously endangered national security. She hoped the graduates would keep in mind that apart from maintaining the stability of Hong Kong, safeguarding the long-term stability of the country is the top priority of the work of the Force.
She pointed out that the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law has played a significant role in maintaining social stability, and the National Security Department has successfully cracked down on many activities that seriously endanger national security through large-scale law enforcement operations. However, the national security situation facing Hong Kong remains precarious, she said, adding that those against the Central Authorities continue to use “soft resistance” means to disseminate seditious messages. She reminded the graduates that the risk of domestic terrorism cannot be ignored, and the chaotic situation similar to the riots in 2019 may appear again as external forces will do all they can to suppress our country and the HKSAR Government.
Quoting the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China delivered by President Xi Jinping, Ms Lau stressed that the graduates must stay alert to threats and dangers, adopt bottom-line thinking and reinforce risk awareness. She hoped the graduates would maintain a sense of crisis in daily work, even though the society is relatively peaceful recently.
While saying that a drop of water may be insignificant, Ms Lau opined that countless water droplets can converge into rivers and seas. She believed that the graduates could form a powerful force to safeguard national security as long as they unite as one and perform their respective duties. They can also make a contribution to the steady development of the country in the new era and to ensure the stability of people’s livelihood.
Lastly, Ms Lau mentioned that she will end her 38-year police career next week. She thanked the Force for its cultivation and trust in her, as well as her colleagues for their support and love. She said that it is her lifelong honour to grow up with the Police Force.
A total of 33 probationary inspectors and 123 recruit police constables passed out today.
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