SJ to attend China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference in Brunei
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will depart for Brunei this afternoon (October 19) to attend the 16th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference and related events.
Mr Lam will attend the conference as a member of the Chinese delegation, and will speak on the theme of protecting children in the digital age at a plenary session. He will discuss with the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) enhancing international co-operation with a view to protecting children from the threat of cybercrime.
Technological innovations offer diverse opportunities for children's development, but also exposes them to multiple unprecedented risks, including safety concerns such as non-consensual sharing of intimate images and deepfakes. As cybercrimes targeting children transcend geographical boundaries, close cross-border co-operation is indispensable. Mr Lam will introduce to ASEAN member states Hong Kong's existing legal framework in protecting children from cybercrimes, and Hong Kong's policy direction and initiatives in response to the emerging risks.
During his visit in Brunei, Mr Lam will also attend bilateral meetings between the Chinese delegation and member states of ASEAN to deepen exchange and collaboration.
Accompanying Mr Lam on the visit will be the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Anthony Chau, and government counsel.
Mr Lam will conclude his visit and return to Hong Kong on October 23. During Mr Lam's absence, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will be the Acting Secretary for Justice.
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC. Photo source: FB@Paul Lam
Departments enhance measures to cope with inbound passenger traffic peak at Huanggang Port
The Security Bureau (SB) said today (October 19) that southbound passenger flow at the Huanggang Port began to build up from 2pm. Between 2pm and 4pm, about 9 401 passengers arrived in Hong Kong via the Huanggang Port, representing an increase of 366 per cent (more than 3.5 times) compared with the same period previously at the Huanggang Port/Lok Ma Chau Control Point. Southbound passenger traffic is expected to increase further later today.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) has disseminated the latest waiting time information via the SB's"Easy Boundary" platform. Before travelling, passengers may check the latest immigration information of various boundary control points, including the Huanggang Port, on the "Easy Boundary" platform. Earlier today, the ImmD also released a short video on social media urging eligible members of the public who plan to cross the boundary at the Huanggang Port to enrol in advance for the "collaborative inspection" automated channels and avoid making their journeys during peak periods, so as to facilitate trip planning and preparation for clearance.
All clearance channels at the arrival hall on L4 of the Huanggang Port have been opened. To further expedite passenger flow, the ImmD will implement crowd diversion and control measures on L4 and L2 in collaboration with the Police depending on actual passenger flow. If passenger flow continues to increase, the Police will make necessary arrangements for passengers who have completed immigration clearance to wait for public transport in designated queuing areas in a safe and orderly manner. Members of the public may have to wait briefly in the queuing areas before boarding public transport to leave the port.
To cope with today's inbound peak, the Transport Department (TD) has arranged about 120 franchised buses, 40 green minibuses and 130 cross-boundary coaches for service and standby support. During peak hours, the service of franchised buses can be enhanced to every two to three minutes, while the frequency of green minibuses and cross-boundary coaches can be increased to every three to four minutes. Franchised bus operators have also operated individual special short-haul services to expedite the dispersal of inbound passengers and speed up bus turnaround. Meanwhile, service ambassadors and staff of public transport operators station at the L2 hall and the public transport interchange to assist passengers in choosing suitable transport modes according to their destinations and boarding in an orderly manner. Police officers have also been deployed on-site to help maintain order.
The SB will continue to work with the ImmD, the Police, the TD and other relevant departments to monitor the situation at the port and the passenger flow in real time, flexibly deploy manpower and adopt corresponding contingency measures as necessary to ensure the smooth operation of various clearance arrangements and public transport services. The SB appeals to members of the public to plan their journeys in advance, choose suitable boundary control points and avoid making their journeys during peak periods.
Source: AI-found images
