Hong Kong Police Honors 80 Citizens for Crime Prevention and Life-Saving Acts at 2025 Good Citizen Award Ceremony

Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention

The Hong Kong Police Force held the “Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation Ceremony 2025” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (March 14) to commend 80 members of the public for their assistance in combating crime and saving lives, and to present the “Good Organisation Award” to six organisations in recognition of their active support for the Police in promoting anti-deception initiatives, fighting crime, safeguarding national security and fostering youth development.

Addressing the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, highlighted that the GCA Scheme, launched in 1973, has honoured nearly 4 800 good citizens to date, fully demonstrating Hong Kong citizens’ spirit of mutual help and courage in doing what is right. He expressed appreciation for the awardees for offering assistance and making the right choice at critical moments, which echoed this year’s theme, “Good Citizen–A Flash Moment–Be United”. He added that calm judgment in a flash moment helps members of the public avoid scammers’ traps. He urged the public to make good use of “Scameter+”, a mobile app launched by the Police, to identify suspicious calls and websites, and to think twice before disclosing personal or account data, or engaging in money transactions.

He added that this year’s six “Good Organisation Award” recipients have actively fulfilled their corporate social responsibilities by bringing anti-scam and anti-drug messages into the community, thereby supporting police efforts. He said that the Police would continue working hand in hand with the public, organisations and stakeholders from all sectors of the community to transform every “flash moment” of kindness into a strong, lasting force safeguarding our home.

Another officiating guest, the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), Hong Kong, Dr Jonathan Choi, noted that the recipients of the GCA came from different sectors and backgrounds, yet they all shared the same willingness to act as “guardians” by assisting the Police in preventing crime. He said that the CGCC would continue to encourage the business community to promote the good citizen spirit, so as to make Hong Kong a better place to live and work. Fight Crime Committee member, Ms Cecilia Ho, said that by asking just one more question and taking one more step at critical moments, these individual efforts by members of the public can unite to become the Police’s strongest support in combating crime and saving lives.

In 2025, a total of 80 GCA awardees were commended for assisting the Police in preventing and detecting crime, arresting offenders and saving lives. The “Good Citizen of the Year Award” (GCYA) was presented to Mr Leung Ho-yin, who bravely rescued three people from drowning after they fell into the sea during Super Typhoon Ragasa in Hong Kong last year.

The GCA Scheme is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Fight Crime Committee, with support from the CGCC since 2025. Each awardee receives a cash prize of $4,000, and the GCYA recipient receives $6,000, in recognition of their courage in upholding what is right.

A brand new promotional video series, “A Flash Moment of Good Citizens”, premiered at the ceremony. Adapted from four award-winning cases of 2025, it features the award winners themselves starring in and portraying their pivotal “flash moment” good citizen stories. The videos will be uploaded to the Police Force’s Facebook and YouTube channel.

The “Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony 2025” was held today (March 14), featuring interactive exhibition panels themed “Good Citizen–A Flash Moment–Be United” that allow attendees to learn about the 80 award recipients’ good citizen stories. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The “Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony 2025” was held today (March 14). A group of actors performs a mini drama at the ceremony to promote anti-deception and crime-fighting messages. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The “Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony 2025” was held today (March 14). Fight Crime Committee member, Ms Cecilia Ho (right), presents the Good Citizen Award to this year’s youngest awardee, Tin Chak-ho. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The “Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony 2025” was held today (March 14). The Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, Dr Jonathan Choi (right), presents the Good Citizen Award to this year’s eldest awardee, Mr Lai Koon-wong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The “Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony 2025” was held today (March 14). The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming (right), presents the “Good Citizen of the Year Award” to Mr Leung Ho-yin, who bravely rescued three people from drowning after they fell into the sea during Super Typhoon Ragasa in Hong Kong last year. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The “Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony 2025” was held today (March 14). The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming (right), presents the “Good Organisation Award” to a representative of City University of Hong Kong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The “Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony 2025” was held today (March 14). The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, delivers a speech at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The “Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony 2025” was held today (March 14). Photo shows (from left) the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, Dr Jonathan Choi; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, and Fight Crime Committee member, Ms Cecilia Ho, officiating at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns foreign media organisation for misleading international society and whitewashing Lai Chee-ying's offenses

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

A spokesman for the Legislative Council ("LegCo") today (May 1) strongly condemned the release of a so-called press freedom index by a foreign media organisation and presentation of a so-called award to the national security offender Lai Chee-ying to sugarcoat his criminal acts, and smear the press freedom and rule of law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"). LegCo strongly condemns and firmly opposes all untrue comments that defame the human rights and rule of law in the HKSAR.

LegCo's spokesman stressed, "Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The Hong Kong National Security Law ("HKNSL") and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance ("SNSO") clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR, are protected in accordance with the law. Facts speak louder than the words. Since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, Hong Kong society as a whole has thrived and returned to rationality and safety."

LegCo's spokesman emphasised, "Lai Chee-ying has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and the evidence is irrefutable. During the trial, a vast amount of evidence testified that for years, under the guise of journalism, democracy, and freedom, Lai Chee-ying utilised media platforms as political tools to incite hatred and commit acts that harmed both the country and Hong Kong. This included using media platforms to call for foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and to impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials. The court conducted a rigorous, fair, just and open trial lasting 156 days. The reasons for the verdict, spanning 855 pages, have been fully disclosed for public inspection; they set out in detail the judges' rigorous analysis of legal principles and evidence, and clearly explain the reasons for finding Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies guilty. The judgment also pointed out that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's conviction is well-reasoned and sound, fully demonstrating that the court makes rulings strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, free from any interference."

LegCo's spokesman said, "As emphasised by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council,Mr Xia Baolong,in his speech on this year's National Security Education Day, Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order, and from order to prosperity, profoundly demonstrates that there is no development without security, and without security, everything is out of the question. Only by holding the bottom line of security can we achieve development and win the future."

LegCo's spokesman reiterated, "LegCo will continue to firmly fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, support the SAR Government's administration in accordance with the law, uphold the rule of law and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'. LegCo urges the international community to recognise the facts and immediately stop making any groundless, fact-distorting, misleading and malicious attacks against Hong Kong."

Source: AI-found images