500 join fight against international crime

Nearly 500 delegates from law-enforcement and related agencies worldwide will meet in Hong Kong next week to discuss ways to improve co-operation in the battle against international crime.

The delegates will include the secretary-general of Interpol, Ronald Noble, overseas police chiefs and representatives of the FBI.

Assistant Police Commissioner Yam Tat-wing said yesterday the Trans-National Organised Crime Conference was aimed at bridging operational, legal and cultural gaps among global law-enforcement bodies.

He said trans-national crimes had increased with globalisation. While law enforcers worldwide had agreed to co-operate in the fight against such crimes during the past decade, Mr Yam said more needed to be done.

'It's just like a marriage - having a certificate is not enough. The couple need to work on their relationship every day,' he said.

The four-day conference, to be held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday, will examine four trans-national issues - computer crime, cyber money laundering, changing trends in narcotics crimes and triad problems.

Mr Yam said an adequate level of policing would be used to ensure the safety of delegates, but declined to give details of the deployment.

A total of 498 delegates from 33 countries, including law enforcers, academics and judiciary officials, will attend the conference, including a 24-strong mainland delegation led by Zhang Xinfeng, director of the Ministry of Public Security's criminal investigation department.

Overseas keynote speakers include the assistant director of the FBI, Ronald Iden, and Singapore Police Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui.