kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
S for S speaks on freezing property of Apple Daily, on Hong Kong Journalists Association and on prisoners' group
15.9.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council today (September 15): Reporter: Can you first tell us a little bit about the freezing order targeting Apple Daily? What does that entail? Does that mean they can't sell the property? They can't enter the property? Secretary for Security: So basically, under the freezing order, they're not entitled to deal with that property except with a license from me. Reporter: Is it a responsible act by a government minister to make accusations targeting the Journalists Association when you haven't actually used evidence or information to back up your claims and are now relying on the JA to provide information or make public the information? Secretary for Security: I think I'm not making any allegation. I just cast doubt, which is not just from me. I think it's also from a large number (of people) in the community that they have the same doubt about the Association. That's the reason why I raised it during my interview with the media. Reporter: Are there any ongoing investigations targeting the Wall-fare group that disbanded yesterday? Why do you think your words alone are leading to the end and demise of so many civil society groups? Secretary for Security: First of all, I do not consider it's just my words to end all those organisations. It's their own decision to consider dissolving. I think I'm not asking them to dissolve; I just tell the public about my observation and it's their own decision whether to dissolve. Reporter: Any ongoing investigation targeting them? Secretary for Security: I'm afraid I cannot disclose any ongoing investigation. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
S for S speaks on Hong Kong Alliance and inmates' incident
7.9.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Security today (September 7): Reporter: Regarding the Hong Kong Alliance, they just said that the Police actually don't have sufficient grounds to ask them to provide the information and the Police actually made a mistake in understanding the National Security Law. What do you have to say to this? And also, about the situation in the prison, I mean, are the inmates not allowed to tell the outside world about their situation? How will that endanger national security? Thank you. Secretary for Security: Regarding your first question, I think I've explained it clearly, and it's also stated in the law that foreign agents include those who receive money support from overseas political parties or political organisations, and then act to the benefit of those foreign organisations. I think it's very clearly stated in the law. Regarding how they actually commit those things, because probably there will be legal actions in the very near future, I'm afraid I cannot give you the details right here and now, but I'm sure if there's any criminal prosecution in the future, you can hear all the stories in the court, as per what happened a few days ago regarding Jimmy Lai, how he worked together with foreign people and tried to influence two young defendants to act for them to collude with foreign forces and affect the national security of Hong Kong. Reporter: The situation in the prison. How will the inmates talking to, you know, people visiting them endanger national security? Secretary for Security: I think this is not as simple as what you've said. Actually, I've quoted a number of actions that they've done. In conjunction with all those issues, what they achieve is they will establish a special group of people who have privileges. Where do the privileges come from? They come from extra resources, extra items. And then through this influence, they try to disseminate their sense of being against Hong Kong Government and Central Government. Through this, they will endanger national security and the security of Hong Kong. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by S for S after Fight Crime Committee meeting
27.8.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session at Central Government Offices, Tamar, after the Fight Crime Committee meeting this afternoon (August 27): Reporter: First of all, you talked about the 612 Fund just now. Do you suspect the Fund has carried out any illegal acts in the past? Would people risk breaching the National Security Law, or any other laws by donating to the Fund? Secondly, regarding the investigation to the Hong Kong Alliance, is there any evidence to suggest that the Alliance is a foreign agent as defined in the implementation rule for Article 43 of the National Security Law? Are the Police looking at whether the Hong Kong Alliance has violated the offence of collusion with foreign forces under the National Security Law? Thank you. Secretary for Security: First of all, I am not in a position to comment on individual cases. So I cannot confirm any investigations that are ongoing. But I can tell you that whoever, no matter is an individual or is an organisation, if you have committed any crime, no matter whether is the NS Law (National Security Law) or otherwise, we will conduct full investigation. If there is any evidence, we will arrest, and maybe we will prosecute. And, you talked about a letter to the Alliance and other organisations. We issued a letter under Article 43 of the NS Law (National Security Law). In accordance with the Law, we will issue a letter to foreign-associated or Taiwan-associated political organisations, to ask them for details like the membership, the activities and the funding issues. We do it all in accordance with the law. Reporter: Would you advise people not to donate to the 612 Fund, as you just mentioned? Secretary for Security: I haven't said so. What I said is if anyone aiding or abetting any offence, including NS (national security) offence, it may contravene the law. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
S for S speaks on Police's arrest operation and disbandment of organisations
18.8.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council today (August 18): Reporter: Can you reveal to us whether the authorities are investigating the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund and over what offence if you guys are investigating? Is it the National Security Law? Secretary for Security: Regarding the organisation you mentioned about, I am afraid I cannot confirm any ongoing investigation as this is against the spirit of natural justice. But I have to say if any organisation has committed an offence, no matter which is national security-related or not, we will fully investigate. If there is evidence, we will arrest and prosecute. Reporter: On the arrest of University of Hong Kong (HKU) students, some critics are calling these arrests speech crimes and say it's a crackdown of government critics as a whole. How would you respond to that? Secretary for Security: I think freedom of speech is safeguarded by the Basic Law and also the National Security Law. But if you have committed an offence, there is no excuse whatever background you are, whatever profession you are, we will do it fairly and impartially in accordance with evidence. Reporter: For people who try to say the stabbing of the police officer is not terrorism, and for people who have expressed sympathy over the HKU students, will these people also be arrested and prosecuted? Secretary for Security: As I said, we will investigate any allegation of crime, if there is evidence, we will arrest and we will prosecute. And regarding this HKU case, we are going to charge them with inciting terrorist attack. Of course, there is an element of terrorist act, I think those details will be disclosed during the trial period. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
S for S visits FSD (with photos)
9.8.2021

âThe Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, visited the headquarters of the Fire Services Department (FSD) this afternoon (August 9) to learn more about the FSD's operation, latest development and plans for the coming year. He also toured the Tsim Tung Fire Station and inspected the equipment for fire and ambulance services. Accompanied by the Director of Fire Services, Mr Joseph Leung, Mr Tang learned about the FSD's various work on enhancing fire safety, the Department's measures to improve fire safety of old buildings, the education and publicity work on community emergency preparedness, and the development of emergency ambulance services, etc. Mr Tang also visited the Fire Services Communications Centre (FSCC) which is responsible for mobilising firefighting and ambulance resources, and observed the FSCC personnel's demonstration of the system for provision of post-dispatch advice (PDA). The FSD introduced the new PDA service in October 2018. It allows the FSCC personnel to grasp the window of time prior to the arrival of ambulance crew and provide callers with first-aid advice with the aid of a computer system, which helps stabilise the patients' conditions. Mr Tang then visited the Tsim Tung Fire Station to inspect its equipment for fire and ambulance services and learned how the FSD utilises technology to enhance emergency services. Furthermore, Mr Tang had a sharing session with the FSD personnel to know more about their work. Since the occurrence of a series of violent riots from 2019 and the rampant novel coronavirus epidemic over the last year, the FSD personnel have taken up a lot of arduous on-site duties apart from day-to-day firefighting, rescue and emergency ambulance services, and encountered unprecedented challenges. Mr Tang took the opportunity to express gratitude to FSD personnel for their perseverance all along, their united and committed efforts to fulfil the prime mission of saving lives in emergencies, doing their utmost for the provision of highly effective emergency services to the public all year round, and assisting in carrying out anti-epidemic work, safeguarding people's lives and properties.
Security Bureau strongly deplores Canada's misrepresentation on Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2021
5.8.2021

âRegarding the Canadian Government's update of its travel advisories for Hong Kong, accusing that the provisions of the Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Amendment Ordinance), which took effect officially on August 1, are vaguely defined and might restrict individuals from leaving Hong Kong, the Security Bureau today (August 5) strongly deplored such misrepresentation. A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "The provision under the Amendment Ordinance, which empowers the Secretary for Security to make regulations in relation to the provision of passenger information by carriers, is to fulfil the international obligation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) under the 'Convention on International Civil Aviation' to implement the Advance Passenger Information (API) system. According to the requirements of the 'Convention on International Civil Aviation', all members should put in place the API system with legal backing. Based on the relevant requirements, airlines need to provide passenger and crew member information to the Immigration Department before flight departure to Hong Kong. It will only apply to flights heading to Hong Kong. So far, over 90 countries already have the API system in place, including Canada, the Member States of the European Union, the United States of America and Australia." "The freedom to travel and the right to enter or leave Hong Kong of Hong Kong residents are guaranteed under Article 31 of the Basic Law. The Legislative Council (LegCo) has already undertaken a detailed review on each provision of the Amendment Ordinance. Meanwhile, in respect of the background and purpose of the system and provision, the Government has already addressed the questions in detail. The Government has also time and again explained clearly to the public, and written to foreign consulates in Hong Kong that such system is intended to require the provision of passenger information on flights heading to Hong Kong, rather than departing flights," the spokesman emphasised. In accordance with the standards proposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Government is studying, having regard to overseas experiences, the overall operational arrangement for the API system in Hong Kong, and will make relevant subsidiary legislation. The Government will consult LegCo on the subsidiary legislation and system arrangement in due course. The API system will be rolled out officially after LegCo has scrutinised and passed the subsidiary legislation, and approved the funding for developing the required system. It will not take effect at this stage. "The Canadian Government disregarded the detailed explanation by the HKSAR Government on the API system in the past, and deliberately misrepresented the background and purpose of the legislation, making false and misleading statement. The Security Bureau expressed strong dissatisfaction and called on the Canadian Government to modify its stance." the spokesman emphasised.
S for S speaks on first conviction under Hong Kong National Security Law case
30.7.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session after attending an event today (July 30): Reporter: Secretary, two English questions. First one, the first court case convicted under the National Security Law is given nine years of imprisonment. Is it a reasonable sentencing to you? Is that what you expected? And, is the eight-word slogan a criminalised behaviour? And the second question, how likely the Police will investigate on disrespectful behaviour happened during the Olympics live broadcast at malls? For example, will plainclothes officers be deployed at malls, etc? Secretary for Security: First of all, regarding the sentence of the first violation of the National Security Law, we will go back and thoroughly study the judgment. And then, we will decide the next course of action. Regarding the slogan used by the defendant, it is being clearly stated by the court that it may have the meaning of "Independence of Hong Kong", and it may also have the meaning of asking Hong Kong to be separated from the Mainland China. Regarding the apm (a Kwun Tong mall) incident, for any violation of law, including the National Flag Law or the National Security Law, we will thoroughly investigate. If there is any evidence, we will arrest, and if there is a further evidence, we will prosecute. Thank you. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
S for S inspects Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution (with photos)
22.7.2021

The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, inspected the Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution (TGCI) this morning (July 22) to learn more about the working environment there and its application of various technologies in the daily management and security aspects to enhance operational efficiency and promote humanised management. The renovated TGCI is the first "Smart Prison" of the Correctional Services Department (CSD). Mr Tang was briefed by the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Woo Ying-ming, on the four major systems of technologies applied in the TGCI, namely the Security and Monitoring System, the Operation and Management System, the Persons in Custody Self-management System and the Staff Capacity Enhancement System, as well as the future development of the CSD's "Smart Prison". Mr Tang also viewed a scenario-based demonstration and met with the staff of the department to know more about their work. Mr Tang is pleased to see that the TGCI runs smoothly after adding smart elements to the modernised management, thereby reducing the burdensome daily work procedures of the staff and improving their working environment. With a growing number of people being remanded in correctional institutions for riot-related offences, the staff of the CSD are facing unprecedented challenges. Mr Tang took the opportunity to express gratitude to them for displaying professionalism, courage and dedication, and remaining steadfast as the last element of the criminal justice system with their dual role in ensuring safe custody and rehabilitation.
S for S speaks on Police's arrest operation
21.7.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council today (July 21): Reporter: Former staff from Apple Daily got arrested today. How likely Police's action will lead to white terror among local journalists, just as what the HKJA (Hong Kong Journalists Association) has mentioned? And will there be more former Apple Daily staff being arrested, given that the news outlet has already been shut down? Thank you. Secretary for Security: Whoever committed an offence will be arrested, disregarding their background, whatever they do, or what are their professions. It doesn't really matter. If they committed an offence, they will be arrested. And if there is any evidence, they will be prosecuted. Reporter: Are you afraid that it will trigger white terror among local journalists? Secretary for Security: I don't think what you said is correct. Everyone, disregarding his profession, as long as he is committing an offence, we have the obligation to arrest them and prosecute them if there is evidence. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Secretary for Security strongly objects to misleading remarks on Hong Kong National Security Law upon anniversary of the Law
17.7.2021

The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, today (July 17) made the following statement in response to the latest actions by the US Government against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and its grossly misleading and incorrect remarks regarding the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Hong Kong National Security Law). Endangering national security is a very serious crime. The damage is serious. It is only right for action to be taken to prevent, interdict and suppress the act. That notwithstanding, the Hong Kong National Security Law upholds the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, clearly stipulating that the HKSAR shall protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong in accordance with the law. Freedoms of speech, of the press and of publication are among the rights and freedoms explicitly mentioned in Article 4 of the Hong Kong National Security Law as being protected in accordance with Hong Kong laws. Any law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law, for the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law on June 30, 2020, the US Government has exploited every incident and excuse to make slandering remarks about the Hong Kong National Security Law and attack the authorities of the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR in their dutiful, faithful and lawful implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The accusations are unfounded and have simply twisted facts without credible substantiation. The US Government's latest claim that the imposition of the so-called "sanctions" and issue of a "business advisory" were in response to the enactment and enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law is a lame excuse that could hardly stand up to challenge. The Hong Kong National Security Law has reverted the chaotic situation in Hong Kong seen in the 10 months or so from June 2019, whereby violent acts are substantially reduced, external forces are observed to have diminished, and advocacy of "Hong Kong independence" continues to subside. It provides the much needed security and stability for our economy and people's livelihood to revive and for businesses to prosper. The HKSAR Government will continue to discharge its duty to safeguard national security in Hong Kong in accordance with the law.
S for S speaks on officials breaching group gathering regulation
14.7.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council today (July 14): Reporter: Besides the three Hong Kong officials, who are the other people at the dinner? Were there actually Mainland officials involved? Secondly, are you saying that when officials do not know about how extravagant the receptions or advantages they receive, that means that they can accept them? Are you saying that other civil servants can do that? Thank you. Secretary for Security: It is because the case is under criminal investigation and it will be presented in court in due course, and because of privacy issues, I think I am not able to disclose the identity of other participants. Regarding the treatment, I think you have wrongly interpreted what I am saying. I am saying that as officials, we have to avoid or be alert to any lavish treatment. But for this case, there is no reasonable suspicion by the three officers that the meal is lavish. Of course if they know that it is lavish, I am sure they will have different treatment. For sure they won't do what they have done. Reporter: When you said that officials sacrificed their time with their families to do that work dinner, so could you clarify that what were those key takeaways in that dinner especially when the attendance in that case involved in the criminal case? Secretary for Security: First of all, what you refer about the criminal (case) is what happened after the dinner. On this thought, I don't think any officials will have any idea about someone sitting among the table will be committing an offence. As I said, as officials, we have to keep in contact with different sectors, of different natures. It is because when we are formulating our strategies and our work, we have to know what the society is thinking about. I think this is very treasurable, especially (to know) what the different sectors are thinking about. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)