In relation to the judgment of the judicial review application on the legality of the District Council election (HCAL 1978/2023), the spokesman of the Government has the following responses on December 1:

     The Court of First Instance on December 1 dismissed the relevant judicial review application, holding that the "Three District Committees" nomination requirement is consistent with the Basic Law, which provides robust legal basis for the legality of the District Council election. 

     The Court accepted the viewpoints of the Government including, confirming that members of the "Three District Committees" come from various walks of life in society and are important stakeholders of district affairs, and that currently there are no other entities or individuals which are more suitable than members of the "Three District Committees" to exercise the nomination rights.

     Further, the Court expressly accepted the legitimate aims of the "Three District Committees" nomination requirement, namely: (1) to fully implement the guiding principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" in the system; (2) to ensure that the candidates are recognised by persons who are familiar with district affairs and the relevant district electors; and (3) to enhance stability across the political spectrum and better reflect the opinions of the majority of people. The Court also held that the "Three District Committees" nomination requirement is a proportionate restriction to the rights to vote and agreed that members of the "Three District Committees" will not exercise the nomination rights arbitrarily.

     The Government reiterates that the District Council election for the 7th Term District Council is lawful and reasonable, and is an important election which fully takes into account the interest of people of each district, which was passed by the Legislative Council unanimously and is popularly supported by people. The District Council election date on December 10 is highly meaningful which will return passionate, capable and responsible District Council members who are loving our country and Hong Kong and will fully serve people in the district, handle issues of public concern such as district hygiene, transportation, cultural and leisure issues. We urge people to actively cast their votes to build a beautiful home together.

     The Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, led a 10-member delegation to attend the 91st INTERPOL General Assembly in Vienna, Austria from November 28 to December 1.

     The General Assembly, functioning as the governing body of INTERPOL, convenes annually to make key policy decisions. This year, over 1,000 senior law enforcement officers from 160 member countries participated.

     The Hong Kong Police delegation was part of the China delegation headed by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Security, Mr Xu Datong. Led by Mr Siu, members of the Hong Kong Police delegation include Assistant Commissioner (Crime), Ms Chung Wing-man; Regional Commander (Kowloon East), Dr Law Yuet-wing; Chief Superintendent of Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, Ms Cheng Lai-ki; and Senior Superintendent of Liaison Bureau, Mr Chan Rock-sang.

     During the assembly, delegates discussed and endorsed a set of policies aimed at strengthening international police collaboration and combating transnational crime. While addressing at the assembly, Mr Siu regarded the recently-concluded International Symposium on Cyber Policing as a new and ideal platform bringing together academia, experts and senior police leaders from 39 jurisdictions to establish network and build trust. He also summarised the Force's contribution in combating transnational technology crimes and economic crimes, and reiterated the importance of international cooperation amongst LEAs and relevant stakeholders.

     In addition, Mr Siu had bilateral meetings with the representatives from Australia, Bahrain, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. The meetings focused on issues related to combating transnational crime, especially in the fields of technology crime, money laundering, and financial investigation. Issues concerning international cooperation and personnel training across ranks were also discussed.

  

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 2) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (December 2) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

     Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (December 2), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.  

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.