Author Archives: hksar gov

     Police will conduct risk assessment when deciding on the manpower deployment and actions to be taken in handling public events. Police actions on July 1 were taken as a result of a number of considerations and continued risk assessment. The risk assessment conducted for the July 1 events was comprehensive and complicated. One of the most important considerations was the vital need to protect the safety of those present at scene, including protestors, journalists, police officers and others.

     Police noticed on the internet beforehand that some individuals have claimed to resort to radical acts, including initiating “dust storm explosion” and “threaten to fight until death”. On July 1, protestors not only used offensive weapons such as mills barriers and iron poles, but also poisonous and inflammable chemicals to attack Police officers. If protestors tried to ignite the chemicals inside the Legislative Council Complex (Complex), which is an indoor confined space, the consequence would be unimaginable. The options on force to be taken were also very limited inside such an indoor confined space. Besides, protestors also controlled without authority the electrical installations inside the Complex which could turn the scene into total darkness at any time, critically increasing the risk faced by the people present at scene.

     In addition, when the protestors began to storm into the Complex, a large-scale public procession was taking place in the vicinity. Any Police action may affect people’s emotions and lead to a deterioration of the situation, the consequences of which may be unpredictable.

     Based on the above considerations, Police did not take immediate actions at the Complex and had avoided as far as possible physical encounters with the protestors. As a result of these decisions, there were no serious casualties throughout the incident.

     Police will resolutely pursue the protestors for their illegal and violent acts at the Complex on July 1. The Organized Crime and Triad Bureau is now actively investigating and collecting evidence relating to the incident in order to bring the offenders to justice.

     Police reiterated that the actions taken on July 1 were a result of continued risk assessment and thorough considerations. Police hoped that there will not be unnecessary speculations about Police’s operation on the day. read more

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) co-hosted a series of events in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on July 2 (Rotterdam time) to promote business opportunities arising from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

     The events were jointly organised by the HKETO, Brussels, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Invest Hong Kong and the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association. The events started with a business seminar on business opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. In her welcoming remarks at the business seminar, the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, said that aspirations for the Greater Bay Area development are very high. “The Greater Bay Area’s wide-ranging strengths, diversified markets and far-reaching development opportunities herald a new economic era for Hong Kong. Innovation and technology, advanced manufacturing, high-end services, trade, transport and more will drive the economy of the Greater Bay Area and meet growing middle-class aspirations. And Hong Kong will be at its fast-beating economic heart,” she said.

     Miss Chau added that Hong Kong will lead the way in several key sectors, from financial and professional services to trade and transport, as well as playing a vital role in innovation and technology. Dutch companies are welcome to partner with Hong Kong in seizing the enormous opportunities of the Greater Bay Area, which has a population of more than 70 million people, she said.

     The Director of Research of the HKTDC, Mr Nicholas Kwan, was one of the speakers at the business seminar. Mr Kwan gave a detailed account of the background, purpose and opportunities of the Greater Bay Area.

     The business seminar was followed by a cocktail reception and dinner. The Commissioner of Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office of the Department of Justice, Dr James Ding, also attended the dinner and gave a keynote speech to promote Hong Kong as a legal and dispute resolution services centre for the Greater Bay Area.

      

     Police today (July 3) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tsim Sha Tsui.      Xue Kun-teng, aged 35, went missing after he left a hostel on Nathan Road on July 1 … read more

     A woman who went missing in Hung Hom has been located.      Chan Lai-mui, aged 79, went missing after she left a hostel at Baker Court in the small hours on June 28. Staff of the hostel made a r… read more

     In view of the latest disputes in society which may have caused emotional distress to some members of the public, the Chief Clinical Psychologist of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), Mr Chan Yiu-kee, today (July 3) called on… read more