Police to deepen Asean ties as Hong Kong set to host first top Interpol meeting
Police chief Joe Chow says Hong Kong’s high standing will help foster ties as city looks to host 196 member country representatives in November
Hong Kong’s police chief has pledged to ramp up collaboration with Asean countries to fortify the force’s role as a “superconnector” in law enforcement, as the city gears up to host Interpol’s top annual meeting in November for the first time.
Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming, who worked at Interpol’s Lyon headquarters as a criminal intelligence officer between 2012 and 2013, said the high international standing of the force could help foster ties.
“Hong Kong’s position hasn’t changed over the years; it’s ranked high. We hope to link up different places for cooperation, using our past experience and international position to deepen connections,” Chow said in a recent media interview.
In his capacity then as deputy commissioner (operations), Chow attended Interpol’s general assembly in Glasgow in November 2024 and secured China’s bid to host the 94th annual meeting of the international police organisation’s governing body in Hong Kong.
It will be Hong Kong’s first time hosting the event, in which 196 member country representatives gather to discuss international policing issues and foster collaboration.
Chow said after winning the bid in 2024 that the event was an opportunity “for China to reaffirm our commitment and dedication to international cooperation, and to fostering our lasting partnership with the global police community”.