Fire Services Honors Late Fireman Ho Wai-ho with Posthumous Senior Fireman Title for Heroic Service.

FSD posthumously confers honorary title on deceased fireman

The Fire Services Department (FSD) today (December 11) posthumously conferred the honorary title of Senior Fireman on the late Mr Ho Wai-ho in recognition of his exemplary service and selfless dedication to duty. The posthumous title conferment ceremony was held at the Sha Tin Fire Station. The Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung, presented Mr Ho with the posthumous title conferment certificate and an embroidery of the Senior Fireman's rank badge, which were accepted by Mr Ho's family members. Colleagues from the New Territories North Command were also present to witness the ceremony.

Mr Ho was born in 1987 and joined the FSD as a fireman in 2016. He served in the Sha Tin Fire Station and consistently demonstrated outstanding performance and dedication during his nearly nine years of service. He participated in a number of firefighting and rescue missions, fully showcasing his professional competence.

While responding to a firefighting and rescue operation at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26, 2025, Mr Ho sustained serious injuries and sadly lost his life in the line of duty. The fire was later upgraded to a No. 5 alarm fire. His heroic and fearless dedication in confronting the fire fully embodies the Fire Services mission of "Serving with courage, passion and commitment".

The FSD will hold a funeral with full honour for Mr Ho at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom, Kowloon, on December 19, after which he will be laid to rest at the Gallant Garden in Wo Hop Shek.

FSD posthumously confers honorary title on deceased fireman Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FSD posthumously confers honorary title on deceased fireman Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FSD posthumously confers honorary title on deceased fireman Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FSD posthumously confers honorary title on deceased fireman Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government strongly disapproves and rejects report of US Congressional-Executive Commission on China

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) yesterday (December 11) strongly disapproved and opposed the so-called "2025 Annual Report" issued by the United States (US) Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), which made biased, slandering and smearing remarks against the situation in the HKSAR.

A HKSAR Government spokesperson said, "The HKSAR Government strongly disapproves and opposes the CECC's repeated tactics to interfere in the affairs of the HKSAR through the so-called annual report, and make slandering remarks against Hong Kong, where 'one country, two systems' is successfully implemented. The US is once again overriding the rule of law with politics and making unfounded and fact-twisting remarks. Such attempt to undermine the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and interfere in Hong Kong's law-based governance is doomed to fail."

The spokesperson reiterated, "The HKSAR Government steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to the highest principle of 'one country, two systems'. It will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst maintaining the common law system, adhering to the principle of the rule of law and upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems'. The HKSAR Government strongly demands the US to immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs."

Regarding the slandering remarks in the US' so-called report and the relevant statement about the HKSAR, the Government solemnly rejects them in the ensuing paragraphs.

Safeguarding National Security

The HKSAR Government spokesperson said, "The HKSAR Government strongly opposes the absurd and untrue content regarding legislation safeguarding national security in the HKSAR contained in the US' so-called report. In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states. Many common law jurisdictions, including the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation and implemented measures to safeguard national security."

"As the HKSAR Government has emphasised time and again that the laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR are precisely for safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; and ensuring the full and faithful implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems' under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. It also better safeguards the fundamental rights and freedoms of the residents of the HKSAR and other people in the city.

"Extraterritorial effect for the offences endangering national security under the HKNSL and the SNSO fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. It is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world (including the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and member states of the European Union). The Police have the responsibility to pursue those who are suspected of committing offences endangering national security outside Hong Kong.

"As regards the offenses related to seditious intention, the courts of the HKSAR have ruled in different cases that the provisions relating to sedition are consistent with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights on the protection of human rights, and that a proportionate and reasonable balance has been struck between safeguarding national security and protection of the freedom of speech. The offence is not meant to silence the expression of any opinion that is only genuine criticisms against the Government based on objective facts.

"The so-called US report mentioning the custodial arrangements for Jimmy Chee-ying is completely baseless. The HKSAR Government has also publicly stated on numerous occasions that the medical services received by Lai Chee-ying in custody are adequate and comprehensive. The Correctional Services Department (CSD) attaches great importance to the safety and health of persons-in-custody (PICs). Regardless of the identities, ages and nationalities of PICs, the CSD is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy, as well as timely medical support. During an earlier public court hearing, senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying clearly presented to the court that the correctional institutions had been arranging daily medical checkups for Lai Chee-ying and that there had been no complaints at all regarding the medical services he was receiving, and the Court commended the CSD. As for the arrangement for Lai Chee-ying's removal from association from other PICs (i.e. the so-called 'solitary confinement'), it has all along been made at his own request and approved by the CSD after considering all relevant factors in accordance with the law."

Safeguarding Due Administration of Justice and Rule of Law

The HKSAR Government emphasised that all judicial cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. All defendants will receive a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong (including the HKNSL and the SNSO) and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The so-called report specifically mentioned cases on offences endangering national security involving Lai Chee-ying, wantonly smearing the law enforcement, prosecution and judicial organs of the HKSAR regarding the handling of the relevant cases. Their ulterior motives are obvious, namely, to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the HKSAR by means of political power in order to procure a defendant's evasion of the criminal justice process. The HKSAR Government strongly condemned these blatant attempting to undermine the rule of law of the HKSAR.

The HKSAR Government spokesman pointed out, "The Department of Justice, by virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law, controls criminal prosecutions, makes independent prosecutorial decisions in accordance with the law, free from any interference. Prosecutions would be instituted by the Department of Justice only if there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction, and if it is in the public interest to do so."

"The Judiciary of the HKSAR exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing. All cases concerning offence endangering national security will be handled by the prosecution and judicial authorities of the HKSAR in a fair and timely manner in strict compliance with Article 42(1) of the HKNSL, with the procedural rights of defendants exercised in accordance with the law fully respected throughout the process. The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws, and cases will never be handled any differently owing to the profession, political beliefs or background of the persons involved. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offence before a defendant may be convicted by the court."

Safeguarding Rights and Freedoms

The HKSAR Government spokesman said, "The HKSAR Government steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people as protected under the law. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The HKNSL and the SNSO also clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and that the rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. Nonetheless, just as the case with other places in the world, such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The ICCPR also expressly states that some of them may be subject to restrictions as prescribed by law that are necessary for the protection of national security, public safety, public order or the rights and freedoms of others, etc. Indeed, Article 19 of the ICCPR specifically requires that journalists must observe and discharge 'special duties and responsibilities' including protection of national security or public order.

"In fact, since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, the media landscape in Hong Kong has remained vibrant. However, the so-called '2025 Annual Report' deliberately fabricated facts about freedom of the press and speech in Hong Kong. Like all other places in the world, freedom of the press and speech are not absolute. The media, like everyone else, has an obligation to abide by all the laws. The media continue to enjoy the freedom to comment on and criticise government policies without any restriction, as long as this is not in violation of the law. The court further cited precedents from the European Court of Human Rights regarding press freedom in the reasons for verdict of a relevant case, pointing out that the European Convention on Human Rights does not guarantee a wholly unrestricted freedom of speech even with respect to press coverage on matters of serious public concern. The most crucial point is that journalists must act in good faith and on accurate factual basis and provide reliable and precise information in accordance with the tenets of 'responsible journalism' in order to enjoy the protection of their rights to freedom of speech and press freedom. The US Government does not hesitate to take action against misleading and biased news reporting. Recently, it has set up a webpage to list such misleading and biased reporting of the media, and even described some of such media reports as 'subversive'. The US CECC's smearing of the HKSAR with double-standard is purely a shameful political maneuver."

As for the so-called annual report's claim that women in Hong Kong faced discrimination and harassment in the workplace, this is an absurd accusation. The Sex Discrimination Ordinance protects women from discrimination, sexual harassment, and victimization in the prescribed area of employment."

Maintaining long-term prosperity and stability

Under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has the distinctive advantage of enjoying strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world. With such unparalleled connectivity, Hong Kong will continue to play its dual role as "super-connector" and "super value-adder". Hong Kong will also continue to leverage its strengths to enhance its role as international financial, maritime and trade centres, among others, whilst proactively integrating into the overall development of our nation, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, etc.. The HKSAR Government will continue to identify new areas for economic development and proactively compete for enterprises and talents with a view to promoting the sustainable development and enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong. As a matter of fact, Hong Kong has once again been ranked as the world's freest economy by the Fraser Institute. On the other hand, the US enjoys significant economic benefits in Hong Kong and has realised a trade surplus of more than US$270 billion with Hong Kong over the past 10 years, the largest among US global trading partners. There are about 1 390 US companies with their businesses in Hong Kong. All these demonstrate the close and long-standing economic ties between Hong Kong and the US, as well as the vast business interests of the US in Hong Kong. A stable and prosperous Hong Kong is certainly of mutual benefits to Hong Kong and the US.