Hong Kong and Kazakhstan sign agreements on surrender of fugitive offenders, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and transfer of sentenced persons
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan), Mr Berik Assylov, signed bilateral agreements on the surrender of fugitive offenders (SFO), mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (MLA) and the transfer of sentenced persons (TSP) today (May 22) on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Kazakhstan respectively.
"Both Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are committed players in the international efforts to fight crimes. The signing of the agreements on SFO, MLA and TSP today represents an important step forward in legal co-operation between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan," Mr Tang said at the signing ceremony.
Under the Basic Law, the Government of the HKSAR may, with the authorisation of the Central People's Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance.
The SFO agreement sets out the conditions for the surrender of fugitive offenders between the HKSAR and Kazakhstan and contains the usual safeguards found in similar international agreements, including that the conduct must constitute an offence according to the laws of both parties, and surrender may be refused if the offence is punishable with the death penalty.
The MLA agreement between the HKSAR and Kazakhstan contains the essential features and safeguards of international agreements of this type. Assistance covered by the agreement includes identifying and locating persons, serving documents, taking evidence, executing requests for search and seizure, providing information, confiscating proceeds of crime, and more.
The TSP agreement embodies the shared conviction of Hong Kong and Kazakhstan that allowing sentenced persons to return to their places of origin, where there are no language or cultural barriers and where friends and relatives can pay more regular visits, is conducive to their rehabilitation. Hong Kong's policy is therefore to facilitate such transfers between Hong Kong and other jurisdictions as far as possible.
A list of the major bilateral international agreements (including SFO, MLA and TSP agreements) of the HKSAR, which have come into force, can be found at www.doj.gov.hk/en/external/international_agreements.html.
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan), Mr Berik Assylov, signed bilateral agreements on the surrender of fugitive offenders, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced persons today (May 22) on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Kazakhstan respectively. Photo shows Mr Tang (right) and Mr Berik Assylov (left) at the signing ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (right), and the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan), Mr Berik Assylov (left), signed bilateral agreements on the surrender of fugitive offenders, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced persons today (May 22) on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Kazakhstan respectively. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 22) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). As temperatures rise and humidity increases, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Dengue fever
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From May 15 to yesterday (May 21), the CHP recorded two imported DF cases. During the incubation periods, one of the patients had travelled to Malaysia, while the other patient had been to multiple countries, namely Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.
Hong Kong has recorded 19 DF cases so far this year, including 18 imported cases and one local case. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, including 156 imported cases and five local cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. From January to July 2025, over 4 million cases and over 3 000 DF-related deaths were reported in 97 countries/territories.
DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Malaysia and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, as of May 10, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 97 cases in Guangdong Province this year, including eight locally infected cases. Guangdong Province recorded over 3 500 locally infected cases in 2025.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP'swebsite.
Chikungunya fever
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From May 15 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Meanwhile, as of May 10, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded four cases in Guangdong Province this year, including one locally infected case.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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According to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year.With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further. Therefore, the CHP reminded members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
