Hong Kong Establishes Working Group to Review AI Legislation for Future Development and Regulation

SJ convenes Steering Committee meeting on establishment of Inter-Departmental Working Group to Review Legislation to Support Wider Application of AI

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, convened a Steering Committee meeting on the establishment of the Inter-Departmental Working Group to Review Legislation to Support Wider Application of AI today (March 6). The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, Permanent Secretaries and Under Secretaries of various policy bureaux, and heads and representatives of other government departments also attended.

The establishment of the Working Group by the Department of Justice (DoJ) is one of the key policy initiatives in the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address.

Mr Lam said that the Government must take the lead in promptly reviewing relevant laws in Hong Kong with a view to modernising them so as to establish a facilitative yet properly controlled legal environment for AI development in Hong Kong, enabling the city to fully harness AI's potential benefits while safeguarding the legitimate interests of all stakeholders on whom the use of AI has an impact.

He noted that the Government must take a candid and proactive approach to the risks and regulatory requirements that may arise from the development and application of AI. It is essential to strike a balance between promoting relevant development and mitigating associated risks. Therefore, policy bureaux and departments (B/Ds) should first conduct a comprehensive and thorough review of existing laws to identify loopholes and deficiencies, and then formulate targeted and practicable solutions taking into account Hong Kong's actual environment, Mr Lam added.

At the meeting, the purpose of the Working Group and its mode of operation under the superintendence of the Steering Committee were discussed. The core members of the Working Group will be drawn from various B/Ds. The role of the DoJ is to help each bureau keep a sharp focus in conducting a critical review of the areas of law under their policy responsibility. After a preliminary study, the DoJ will seek to co-ordinate different B/Ds when concerted effort is required during the course of the substantive review by the Working Group.

Noting that the establishment of the Working Group would be essential in addressing issues arising from the fast development and pervasive use of AI, Mr Lam called on all B/Ds, including the Judiciary Administration, the Administration Wing and the Digital Policy Office, to lend their full support.

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (fifth left), convened a Steering Committee meeting on the establishment of the Inter-Departmental Working Group to Review Legislation to Support Wider Application of AI today (March 6). The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan (fourth left); the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (second right); the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung (first right); the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong (seventh right), Permanent Secretaries and Under Secretaries of various policy bureaux, and heads and representatives of other government departments also attended the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, convened a Steering Committee meeting on the establishment of the Inter-Departmental Working Group to Review Legislation to Support Wider Application of AI today (March 6). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (second right), convened a Steering Committee meeting on the establishment of the Inter-Departmental Working Group to Review Legislation to Support Wider Application of AI today (March 6). The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan (second left), also attended the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 9) detected a drug trafficking case involving passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 2.25 kilograms of suspected heroin, four tablets of suspected Viagra and 26 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value of about $1.4 million. A man was arrested.

A 61-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 2.25 kg of suspected heroin in his check-in suitcase, and four tablets of suspected Viagra and 26 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette in his carry-on backpack. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession of Part 1 poison, one count of possession of dutiable goods and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service the possession of dutiable goods. The case will bebrought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 11).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases