kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
LCQ20: Statistics on persons on remand pending trial
14.7.2021

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Pierre Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (July 14): Question: It was mentioned in the 2020 Annual Review of the Correctional Services Department released earlier on that the average daily number of persons on remand pending trial last year had hit a decade high. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the number of persons on remand pending trial in each of the past three years; (2) of the average and maximum durations for which defendants were on remand pending trial in each of the past three years; if such figures are unavailable, whether it will compile the statistics; (3) of a breakdown of the number of persons on remand pending trial in each of the past three years by (a) the type of charges laid and (b) the group, among those set out below, to which the remand duration belonged (set out in a table): (i) less than one month, (ii) one month to less than three months, (iii) three months to less than six months, (iv) six months to less than twelve months, (v) one year to less than two years, (vi) two years to less than three years, and (vii) three years or more; and (4) of the reasons for defendants being remanded pending trial for more than one year (if any)? Reply: President, The Correctional Services Department (CSD) is responsible for, inter alia, the operation of correctional institutions for the custody of offenders sentenced to imprisonment by the court and persons ordered by the court to be held on remand pending trial. The number of admissions of newly admitted persons on remand in the past three years is tabulated as follows: Year Number of admissions 2018 6 928 2019 5 391 2020 5 373 The CSD does not maintain statistics by the length of time on remand, on the average and maximum length of time on remand, and by the type of offence charged as well as the reasons thereon. As the relevant breakdown of figures are not directly relevant to the management of the operations of correctional institutions, the CSD has no plan to compile additional statistics on such breakdown of figures.
S for S speaks on appointment as Candidate Eligibility Review Committee member
6.7.2021

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 Panel on Security at the Legislative Council Complex this afternoon (July 6): Reporter: On candidate eligibility first, how can you convince the public that in future when you vet the eligibility of future candidates, you will be fair because the possible candidates would have maybe criticised you or the Police Force in the past? And second question, would the Police essentially be kind of deciding who can run in future elections looking forward, since the Police will first do the vetting of background checks and the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee is also comprising of a significant amount of four policemen or people with disciplined services background? Secretary for Security: I think as senior officers, we are all doing our parts fairly and impartially and yet the Committee also comprises people with high reputation from the community. So I don't think what you are saying will happen. Thank you. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Dangerous Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2021 to be gazetted on Friday
30.6.2021

A spokesperson for the Security Bureau said today (June 30) that the Government will publish the Dangerous Goods (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2021 (the Bill) in the gazette this Friday (July 2). The Bill seeks to make technical consequential and related amendments to various ordinances and subsidiary legislation pursuant to the legislative amendments made to the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295) (the Ordinance) and its subsidiary legislation. The spokesperson said, "To update the regulatory system of dangerous goods with a view to aligning it with the international standards, we have reviewed the Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation and have been making legislative amendments by phases. With the completion of our phased legislative amendment work to the Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation, we now enter into the final phase of legislative work. As various ordinances and subsidiary legislation involving different regulatory authorities contain references to dangerous goods classified under the existing classification system under the Ordinance and other matters in relation to the storage, conveyance and use of dangerous goods under the Ordinance, technical consequential amendments and other related amendments have to be made to these ordinances and subsidiary legislation so as to avoid inconsistencies among legal provisions on the implementation of the new dangerous goods classification and regulatory regime under the Ordinance. "We will also take the opportunity to introduce refinements to the Ordinance. As international standards on the classification and transportation of dangerous goods are updated regularly, the Bill proposes to empower the Secretary for Security to amend the Schedules to regulations made under the Ordinance so as to streamline the process for regular updating of the technical details of the subsidiary legislation (such as the list and exempt quantity of dangerous goods) in future. Similarly, the Bill proposes to remove the requirement that the forms of licences have to be provided by regulations, and to empower public officers who may issue licences to specify the forms of licences for administrative convenience." The Government will introduce the Bill into the Legislative Council on July 14 for First and Second Reading.
S for S speaks on arrest operation by Hong Kong Police's National Security Department (with video)
17.6.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session at Central Government Offices, Tamar, today (June 17): Reporter: First, can Mr Lee tell us whether the reports concerned are commentary, or whether Apple Daily was simply quoting people like interviewees and people they interviewed? How can reporters draw the line when they are reporting on foreign sanctions or actions targeting China or Hong Kong without getting into trouble? And are you saying media outlets should in future self-censor all this content? Second question, when you say people should distance themselves from Apple Daily "criminals", are you saying that people should not buy Apple Daily papers or stocks anymore? They should not share their posts, or they should not even like their posts on social media or they will get into trouble? Thank you very much. Secretary for Security: This case involved a conspiracy. We are talking a conspiracy in which there are a series of acts. The Police have already informed the media that one of the acts involved publication in Apple Daily and also online news regarding articles that invite foreign countries or external elements to impose sanctions or take hostile activities against Hong Kong and the PRC. This is the conspiracy. We are not talking about media work or journalists' work. We are talking about a conspiracy in which the suspects tried to make use of journalistic work to collude with a foreign country or external elements to impose sanction or take hostile activities against Hong Kong and the PRC, so we need to look at that. And also we need to differentiate what these suspects have done from normal journalistic work. Normal journalistic work, of course, takes place freely and lawfully in Hong Kong, and I do not envisage any professional journalists would be conspiring to do any act to endanger national security. So the answer is simple - do your journalistic work as freely as you like in accordance with the law provided you do not conspire or have any intention to break the Hong Kong law and certainly not the Hong Kong National Security Law. The second thing is, the suspects have been arrested on strong evidence that they are conspiring to endanger national security. It is your choice whether you will regard them as part of you, who go about your journalistic work lawfully and properly. If anybody's act causes damage to the reputation of journalistic work as a whole because they are involved in a conspiracy, then it is only to the good and credibility of Hong Kong journalistic work that action is taken against the criminals who make use of journalistic work as a tool to further their criminal activities. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Police holds seminar to promote anti-drugs message (with photos)
16.6.2021

Police's Narcotics Bureau held a &ldquo;616 Anti-drugs Seminar&rdquo; at Police Headquarters today (June 16) to enhance teachers and parents' awareness of drugs and harms associated with drug abuse. Guests from different professional sectors were invited to the seminar, namely artiste Mr Raymond Cho; Dr Tse Man-li; Mr Sezto Kam-san, social worker of Hong Kong Playground Association; Mr Lon Tso, social worker of Operation Dawn Hong Kong; Mr Lai Ming-fai, Principal Assistant Secretary for Security (Narcotics); and Miss Lily Wong, Senior Public Prosecutor of Department of Justice. The seminar covered topics of drug information, the latest drug trend, drug harms, anti-drugs tips for youth and relevant legislation. A mini exhibition was set up at the venue, displaying drugs dummies and cannabis pipes. A series of anti-drugs videos produced from the perspective of young people was also shown. In addition, participants could experience the harmful side effects of drug abuse through a virtual reality setup. A drug smell simulator, which was co-created by the Narcotics Bureau and the Hong Kong Baptist University, was also provided for participants to understand more about the drugs commonly abused by youths and their smell. It could help the participants identify potential drug abuse cases as early as possible, and prevent youths from going astray. The seminar attracted the participation of more than 150 teachers and parents, as well as more than 5,100 views online in its Facebook live webcast. The seminar is one of the events of the Anti-Drugs Month held by the Police. Under the campaign, a series of publicity and education activities will be conducted throughout the month to disseminate anti-drugs message to teachers, parents and youths. For details, please visit the Police Public Page: www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/04_crime_matters/drug/adm2106.html.
S for S speaks on Taishan Nuclear Power Station
16.6.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council today (June 16): Reporter: Will you release figures of Taishan nuclear power plant to reassure the public that we are really safe? Secretary for Security: We have been in close contact with the Guangdong response team (Nuclear Emergency Committee Office of Guangdong Province) and also the national nuclear safety council (National Nuclear Safety Administration). We have been given the information that the operation of the Taishan nuclear plant is safe and there is no indication of any effect on the environment, so it is operating within all the requirements regarding nuclear power safety. Reporter: Is it not transparent enough if you don't release the figures to the public? Secretary for Security: There is a system regarding release of information about nuclear plant operation. All the information that is released will be in accordance with the international standard. At the present moment, there are different gradings of incidents to be released in accordance with events or occurrences in nuclear power plants. So far, what we have been informed up to now is (regarding the operation of Taishan Nuclear Power Plant), there were only two incidents which are classified as "0" events. In other words, they do not affect in any way nuclear safety. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
LCQ12: Treatment for persons in custody suffering from hepatitis C
9.6.2021

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Pierre Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, in the Legislative Council today (June 9): Question: On the treatment for persons in custody (PICs) suffering from hepatitis C provided by the Medical Officers seconded from the Department of Health to correctional institutions, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the current number of the PICs diagnosed with hepatitis C; (2) of the number of the PICs who received treatment for hepatitis C in each of the past five years, and whether they were prescribed with medications for treating hepatitis C; and (3) whether any PICs suffering from hepatitis C were referred to the hepatology specialist outpatient clinics under the Hospital Authority for treatment in the past five years; if so, of the number of persons in each year? Reply: President, The Correctional Services Department (CSD) is committed to providing a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment for persons in custody (PICs), including ensuring that all PICs can receive necessary and appropriate medical services in accordance with the Prison Rules (Cap. 234A). Based on the information provided by the CSD and the Food and Health Bureau, the consolidated reply to the questions raised by the Member is as follows: Every correctional institution under the CSD has a hospital or sick bay operating 24 hours a day, where medical officers from the Department of Health (DH) and correctional officers with nursing qualifications provide basic medical services. PICs who require specialist treatment, intensive care or surgery will receive treatment in public hospitals. Moreover, medical specialists from the Hospital Authority (HA) and the DH visit correctional institutions on a regular basis to provide the PICs with specialist consultation and treatment. Generally speaking, the CSD does not maintain statistics on the numbers of the PICs suffering from different kinds of diseases, including hepatitis C. The HA and the CSD do not maintain statistics on the number of the PICs with hepatitis C who have been referred to hepatology specialist out-patient clinics under the HA for treatment. As for treatment of hepatitis C patients in general, the HA has expanded the Drug Formulary since October 2020 to make full use of oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medicines for treatment of hepatitis C patients regardless of the severity of patients' condition. With DAA medicines, the cure rate is as high as 95 per cent to 100 per cent, which is higher than that of the conventional combination of interferon and ribavirin used previously. The treatment period has also been shortened from over a year to eight to 12 weeks.
S for S speaks on June 4 meetings and freezing of Jimmy Lai's property
27.5.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council this afternoon (May 27): Reporter: Secretary, Macau officials have banned a June 4 commemoration because they said slogans like "end one-party rule" will constitute instigating subversion. Is that the same reason why Hong Kong is banning a June 4 vigil? Second question, according to a report, you have sent letters to bankers, warning that they would face jail or fines for any dealings with Jimmy Lai's accounts. Why would they face such punishment? Are they falling afoul of the national security law or other laws? Would this practice cause harm to Hong Kong's reputation as a financial centre and cause an exodus of banking sector representatives? Secretary for Security: The Commissioner of Police deals with the notice of public meeting and public gathering in accordance with the Public Order Ordinance of Hong Kong. He is the man to exercise the power. In connection with the May 30 and the June 4 public gatherings, the Commissioner of Police takes considerations of factors that are prevailing. That is our Hong Kong system and our decision is made in accordance with the Hong Kong law. As regards my written notice to companies and institutions regarding property which is offence-related property under the national security law, I am exercising the power because Lai has been charged with two offences of collusion with other country or external forces to endanger national security. It is my duty to specify in my notice to the relevant parties what will be the consequences if they fail to comply with my direction. The purpose of my notice is targeted at the offence-related property in relation to offences endangering national security. Normal businesses have nothing to do with any acts that may endanger national security. So we should not associate the two matters in any way. Normal businessmen will go about their duties and have nothing to do with endangering national security, and we should not associate the two matters. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Transcript of remarks by S for S after Fight Crime Committee meeting (with video)
17.5.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session at Central Government Offices, Tamar, after the Fight Crime Committee meeting this afternoon (May 17): Reporter: Good afternoon, two questions from RTHK English News. First, rumours saying the Government is going to take over Apple Daily sooner or later. Would you make any clarification on this? And to what extent do you agree that the bureau's recent move will affect press freedom? The second question is why the asset of media tycoon Jimmy Lai was frozen only a few days ago but not once he was arrested in the beginning of the year? Is it because of the new evidence the force has gathered or obtained? And how will this affect Hong Kong as a financial hub? Thank you. Secretary for Security: Can you repeat your first question because you have asked quite a few? Reporter: Rumours saying the Government is going to take over Apple Daily sooner or later, so would you make any clarification regarding this? To what extent do you agree that this bureau's recent move will affect press freedom? Thank you. Secretary for Security: I shall not be discussing rumours here. But one thing I will emphasise, any activities that endanger national security will not be tolerated. Such activities, or such person, or such organisation, will receive the full force of the law. Endangering national security is a very serious crime. The Government's position is very clear. We will make use of all legal measures to prevent, interdict, and suppress such endangering national security activities. The action that is taken is against criminal activity. Whatever pursuit is being practiced, that pursuit must be taken in accordance with the law. Any activities that contravene the law, then the individuals or the related organisation will have to face the full force of the law. It is illegal activities that we are dealing with, it is not press work. In regard to timing for my issuing of the notices, I will issue it when I have reasonable suspicion that the powers should be exercised. That is the reason why I exercised my power to issue the freezing notices on Friday (May 14). (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
S for S issues notices to freeze property pursuant to Schedule 3 to Implementation Rules
14.5.2021

The Secretary for Security today (May 14), by notice in writing directs that relevant persons and organisations must not, directly or indirectly, deal with certain property which is reasonably suspected to be related to offences endangering national security, pursuant to Schedule 3 to the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Implementation Rules). On December 11, 2020, the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force laid one charge of "Collusion with a Foreign Country or with External Elements to Endanger National Security" against Lai Chee-ying. On April 16, 2021, two additional charges, namely "Conspiracy to Commit Collusion with a Foreign Country or with External Elements to Endanger National Security" and "Conspiracy to Do an Act or a Series of Acts Tending and Intended to Pervert the Course of Public Justice", were laid against him. Pursuant to section 3(1) of Schedule 3 to the Implementation Rules, where the Secretary for Security has reasonable grounds to suspect that any property held by any person is offence related property, the Secretary may, by notice in writing specifying the property, direct that a person must not, directly or indirectly, deal with the property except under the authority of a licence granted by the Secretary. Furthermore, pursuant to section 3(7) of Schedule 3 to the Implementation Rules, if the Secretary for Security has reasonable cause to suspect that any property specified in the notice will be removed from Hong Kong, the Secretary may in the notice give a direction that a police officer may, for the purpose of preventing the property from being removed from Hong Kong, seize the property. Pursuant to the relevant provisions of Schedule 3 to the Implementation Rules, the Secretary for Security, after considering the relevant information, on May 14, 2021, issued notices for freezing of property in writing to freeze all the shares of Next Digital Limited (282.HK) held by Lai Chee-ying, and the property in the local bank accounts of three companies owned by him. According to section 1 of Schedule 3 to the Implementation Rules, "offence related property" includes the property of any person who commits, or attempts to commit, participates in or facilitates the commission of, an offence endangering national security.
S for S continues to brief district organisations on improving Hong Kong's electoral system (with photos/video)
8.4.2021

The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, hosted three briefing sessions again this afternoon (April 8) to brief representatives of District Fight Crime Committees, District Fire Safety Committees and Area Committees of Yuen Long District, Yau Tsim Mong District and Wong Tai Sin District on the importance and necessity of the amendments to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) as approved by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Pointing out that the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR (the National Security Law) stopped chaos and restored order in Hong Kong, Mr Lee said the Central Authorities, following the enactment of the National Security Law, initiated the amendments to fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems" as well as the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Citing chaos and illegal acts that happened in various council meetings in the past as examples, Mr Lee explained that improving the electoral system can plug the loopholes and eliminate the deficiencies in the existing system, thereby bringing Hong Kong back on the right track and enabling effective governance of the HKSAR Government. Mr Lee said that improving the HKSAR's electoral system further enhances the broad representation and balanced participation of the political structure, reflecting the overall interests of society and boosting the quality of democracy. In exchanging views with Mr Lee in the meetings, the representatives of district organisations welcomed and supported the improvements to the HKSAR's electoral system. Concluding the meetings, Mr Lee emphasised that the governing team of the HKSAR Government will continue to spare no efforts in taking forward relevant legislative amendment work for building a brighter future for Hong Kong. The Permanent Secretary for Security, Ms Carol Yip, and the Political Assistant to the Secretary for Security, Mr Cassius Lau, also attended the briefing sessions today.