HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns smearing and slanderous remarks by external forces on the "Hong Kong Alliance" case
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (22 August) expressed strong opposition and dissatisfaction with, and strongly condemned, the malicious attacks, slanders and smearing against the judicial system and national security laws of Hong Kong by various western countries, anti-China media, organisations and politicians, using the court's verdict of conviction concerning the case of "incitement to subversion of state power by the Hong Kong Alliance".
The Legislative Council, Photo source: reference image
A spokesperson for LegCo pointed out, "The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state, making clear that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the cornerstone of the constitutional order of the People's Republic of China. As an inalienable part of our country, Hong Kong must firmly uphold its constitutional order. Any attempt to subvert the fundamental system of the country will not be tolerated in any society under the rule of law. The court's verdict precisely reflects the spirit of the rule of law in conducting independent trials in accordance with the law."
The LegCo spokesperson stressed that the reasons for the court's verdict were detailed, clearly pointing out that the trial of the case was never targeted at the defendants' political views, but was based on objective law and evidence, strictly following the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and other relevant laws. After the HKNSL came into effect, the defendants still persistently pressed ahead with subversion activities, and their acts clearly went beyond the boundaries of lawful freedom of expression. The entire trial procedure was open and transparent, and the verdict was lawful, fair and reasonable, conforming to the fundamental interests of Hong Kong. It is an inevitable requirement for the comprehensive and accurate implementation of the HKNSL as well as relevant legal systems and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security. LegCo solemnly urges external forces to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, respect the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong, and refrain from smearing Hong Kong's judicial system with double standards.
National Security Law, Photo source: AP News
The LegCo spokesperson pointed out that freedoms of speech and association are not absolute. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also expressly states that restrictions may be prescribed by law under the prerequisite of safeguarding national security, among others. Members of the public must distinguish the rights from wrongs and clearly draw the line between this case and the normal expression of opinions.
The spokesperson reiterated that national security is the fundamental prerequisite for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the fundamental premise of the "one country, two systems". Only by safeguarding national security can the various lawful rights and interests of the public be effectively protected, and favourable conditions be created for Hong Kong's long-term development. The spokesperson further emphasized that, for Hong Kong to advance from stability to prosperity, equal emphasis must be placed on both security and development. Security and development are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other. There is no finished state, only an ongoing process; security is the prerequisite for development, and development is the guarantee for security, neither of which can be dispensed with.
Under the executive-led system, LegCo, as the Legislature of the HKSAR, will certainly continue to fully support the HKSAR Government in administering in accordance with the law and firmly safeguarding national security, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".
Photo source: reference image
FEHD reviews this year's efforts to tackle dripping air conditioners
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (November 10) that the department has continued to adopt a multipronged approach to tackle the problem of dripping air conditioners, combining enhanced inspections and enforcement with publicity and education, innovative technology and adjustments to operational strategies. This year, the FEHD has fully deployed the third-generation Air-conditioning Water Dripping Inspection System, featuring infrared night-vision technology and artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition, across all districts to detect dripping locations quickly and accurately, significantly enhancing enforcement effectiveness.
The spokesman said, "As of September 30, the FEHD had issued about 8 100 nuisance notices concerning dripping air conditioners this year, representing an increase of about 16 per cent and 54 per cent over the corresponding periods last year and in 2024 respectively. The figure was about four times that for the same period in 2023. Over 99 per cent of the households that received the notices have addressed the dripping problem as required. Significant improvements have also been recorded at the locations of concern identified by the department."
In recent years, the FEHD has adopted a new operational strategy. In addition to handling public complaints, officers proactively conduct door-to-door inspections and take enforcement action, focusing on around 300 locations of concern with more serious dripping problems across districts, including bus stops, minibus stops and pedestrian passages. Each location is inspected at least once a week. By August, dripping problems at about half of these locations had been resolved or had shown significant improvement. As conditions improved at some locations, the FEHD extended its operations to more than 110 additional locations with less serious problems. As of September 30, the number of locations being followed up by the FEHD had increased from around 300 to more than 400.
The FEHD has also actively applied innovative technology, collaborating with a local innovation and technology institution to develop the Air-conditioning Water Dripping Inspection System. Using infrared night-vision technology, the system enables officers to detect dripping locations quickly in low-light conditions without entering residents' premises. The enhanced second-generation system features a remote-controlled pan-tilt head and autofocus functions. Its detection range has been extended to 120 metres, enabling it to cover buildings around 40 storeys high. In April this year, the system won a bronze award in thecategory of Engineering and Robotics – Optical Sensing and Spatial Intelligence at the Edison Awards 2026, gaining international recognition for its innovative technology. This year, the department has fully deployed the third-generation system, featuring AI image recognition, across all districts. The system uses high-precision image recognition to detect dripping locations automatically and pinpoint their sources quickly and accurately, further reducing the time required for observation and evidence collection.
In addition to strengthening enforcement, the FEHD actively collaborates with the property management sector to tackle dripping air conditioners. The department continues to promote the Scheme of Participation by Property Management Agents in Tackling Dripping Air-conditioners, inviting staff of property management companies serving private housing estates to help identify dripping sources and advise residents to rectify the problem. More than 300 private housing estates across the territory currently participate in the scheme, helping to complete follow-up and handling of an average of over 4 000 dripping complaints each year. The department also works closely with the Property Management Services Authority to provide relevant guidelines for licensed property management companies and property management personnel, and encourages more licensed companies to join the scheme.
The FEHD calls on all sectors to work together to tackle dripping air conditioners. Property management companies should regularly repair and maintain building drainage systems and remind residents to inspect and repair their air conditioners. Members of the public should also inspect and maintain their air conditioners regularly and address any dripping problems promptly to avoid causing a nuisance. For more information, please refer to the leaflet on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/library/aircon/Pamphlet_water_dripping_from_air_conditioner.pdf).
Source: AI-found images
