Chief Executive Highlights Global Law Enforcement Collaboration at Opening Ceremony of Hong Kong International Academy of Policing

Speech by CE at Opening Ceremony of Hong Kong International Academy of Policing

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing today (November 11):

Honourable Director Jia Lijun (Director of the Political Department of the Ministry of Public Security), Deputy Director Luo Yonggang (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Deputy Head Li Jiangzhou (Deputy Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR), Deputy Commissioner Zhang Changwei (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR), Deputy Commander-in-chief Tan Zhiwei (Deputy Commander-in-chief of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison), Executive Director Wu Ying (Executive Director, Capacity Building and Innovation, INTERPOL), Commissioner of Police Joe Chow, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to join you today for the inauguration of the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing.

Hong Kong has long been recognised as one of the safest cities in the world. That, ladies and gentlemen, is thanks largely to the dedication, professionalism and operational excellence of the Hong Kong Police Force.

Today, the Police Force opens a new chapter. Building on its strong local foundation, and with the inauguration of the Academy, the Force is committed to expanding its global collaboration in leadership development and training.

According to this year's Policy Address, the Academy will deepen international police exchanges. It will do so through training programmes, police leadership forums and other outreach initiatives. The target is to train some 1 000 officers each year, including about 200 overseas law enforcement personnel.

Training is the Academy's core function, but its significance goes further. By bringing law enforcement leaders together, it will strengthen Hong Kong's international partnerships. Stronger partnerships will, in turn, reinforce Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" - a place that links people and expertise across jurisdictions.

That matters because security challenges are increasingly complex. They are also borderless. Cybercrime, financial fraud and terrorism are clear examples. No jurisdiction can stand alone. Strong international connectivity is therefore vital to global security and prosperity.

The Academy is designed to be the platform where we work together. It will boost connectivity across three dimensions. First, hard connectivity. This means infrastructure and operational networks. Second, soft connectivity. This means rules, mechanisms and procedural standards. And third, people-to-people ties that will promote lasting trust with partner jurisdictions.

The Academy, I'm pleased to note, has set an ambitious agenda. By the end of next year, it will have organised more than 20 international hallmark training programmes and forums. These include next April's "ConvergeHK", the inaugural senior leadership policing forum focused on shared security challenges. We expect police leaders from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Belt and Road and Middle East countries to attend.

I am confident that this new institution will rise as a hub for international exchange. It is a strategic investment in collective security. It will attract law enforcement agencies worldwide to build a safer, more secure future for us all.

My thanks to the Hong Kong Police Force for bringing the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing to life. Your global vision and execution are much appreciated and supported.

Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will enjoy today's opening ceremony. For those from outside Hong Kong, I wish you an enjoyable stay in Asia's world city. Thank you.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing today (November 11). Photo shows (from front row, third left) Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Mr Zhang Changwei; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; Director of the Political Department of the Ministry of Public Security Mr Jia Lijun; Mr Lee; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Luo Yonggang; Deputy Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Li Jiangzhou; Deputy Commander-in-chief of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Mr Tan Zhiwei, and other guests at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing today (November 11). Photo shows (from second left) the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; Mr Lee; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, and other guests at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing today (November 11). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to six to eight months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 to $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 11) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted three incoming Mainland male passengers, aged 43, 56 and 41, at Hong Kong International Airport on October 28 and yesterday (November 10) and seized a total of about 175 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $827,800 and a duty potential of about $581,700, from their personal baggage. The passengers were subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases