https://www.scmp.com/rss/305001/feed Hong Kong's Secretary for Security, Lai Tung-kwok, sparked outrage from women's groups over comments he made on May 14, 2012, when announcing a sharp rise in the number of rapes in the first quarter of that year. "Some of these cases also involved the victims being raped after drinking quite a lot of alcohol. So I would appeal that young ladies should not drink too much,' he said as he reported the government's Fight Crime Committee statistics. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Alex Lo Alex Lo Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen has the patience of a Buddha, a temperament which may explain why he managed to chair the Legislative Council for nine long years. Those tumultuous years included the unprecedented anti-government riots in 2019, followed by the economically damaging Covid-19 pandemic, and yet he almost never lost his temper in public. But even Leung got a little testy at a news conference last month before the end of the seventh Legco. “If there were 90 legislators and more than 80 were... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3331412/turnover-among-hong-kong-legislators-should-not-be-surprising?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3331412/turnover-among-hong-kong-legislators-should-not-be-surprising?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu The seventh-term Legislative Council has officially ended. I am sure few people had expected the attention Legco received over the past month, beginning with the news of Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen’s retirement. Amid a wave of retirements, legislators over 70 years old – including stalwarts – might be forgiven for feeling the pressure to step aside to make room for new blood. The announcement over the weekend by the New People’s Party’s Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and Lai Tung-kwok that... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3330343/can-legco-veterans-exit-really-invigorate-hong-kong-politics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3330343/can-legco-veterans-exit-really-invigorate-hong-kong-politics?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Oct 2025 08:30:08 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Willa Wu Matthew Cheng,Willa Wu Hong Kong’s legislature will break from another tradition by withdrawing a valedictory motion marking the end of its four-year term, with a veteran lawmaker citing concerns over electoral fairness. Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the Legislative Council’s House Committee, who was supposed to put forward the farewell motion, revealed on Tuesday that she withdrew it after receiving feedback from some lawmakers. The motion typically sees lawmakers delivering goodbye speeches to mark the term’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3329783/hong-kongs-legco-withdraws-farewell-motion-amid-concerns-over-electoral-fairness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3329783/hong-kongs-legco-withdraws-farewell-motion-amid-concerns-over-electoral-fairness?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 08:15:19 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Three more Hong Kong lawmakers have decided not to run in the coming Legislative Council election, bringing the total to at least 12 so far. Lo Wai-kwok, 71, chairman of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, the Liberal Party’s Frankie Yick Chi-ming, 72, and Chow Man-kong, 44, all announced their decision not to seek another term on Monday. Veteran politician Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said her party would make an announcement “in due course”, and asked the media not to “harass”... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3328811/frankie-yick-latest-lawmaker-say-he-wont-run-hong-kongs-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3328811/frankie-yick-latest-lawmaker-say-he-wont-run-hong-kongs-legco-election?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:06:21 +0000 Jess Ma,Vivian Au Jess Ma,Vivian Au Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has chaired the first meeting of a high-level counterterrorism group, later announcing that a large exercise to simulate terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure will be held this month. The Chief Executive Counter-terrorism Steering Group discussed the progress of various groups under a new three-tier mechanism, global and local threats, and the directions and strategies of the government’s counterterrorism work, a statement released after Wednesday’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3321773/hong-kong-holds-first-meeting-new-top-level-anti-terrorism-group?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3321773/hong-kong-holds-first-meeting-new-top-level-anti-terrorism-group?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:32:12 +0000 Hong Kong lawmakers have urged the government to provide better definitions of five types of professions required to report suspected child abuse cases under proposed legislation, while some have also questioned why certain roles, such as private tutors, are excluded altogether. Lawmakers scrutinising the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill on Saturday said they feared some people who worked with children, although given professional status, might not be fully covered by descriptions in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3265015/hong-kong-lawmakers-ask-closure-potential-loophole-could-let-some-professionals-escape-penalty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3265015/hong-kong-lawmakers-ask-closure-potential-loophole-could-let-some-professionals-escape-penalty?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Jun 2024 11:20:16 +0000 A Hong Kong building where five people died in a blaze on Wednesday had failed to comply with fire safety orders issued 16 years ago, while the latest official data showed fewer than 40 per cent of sites with similar problems had fulfilled such demands. The low compliance rate sparked calls from lawmakers to speed up a legal amendment to give authorities the power to carry out fire safety improvement work on old buildings. An intense fire erupted in the 60-year-old 16-storey New Lucky House in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3258573/hong-kong-lawmakers-ask-government-boost-fire-safety-rules-cut-risk-more-killer-blazes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3258573/hong-kong-lawmakers-ask-government-boost-fire-safety-rules-cut-risk-more-killer-blazes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Apr 2024 02:00:25 +0000 Hong Kong’s leader will set up a “rebuttal team” to counter online attacks on the city’s home-grown national security legislation and has promised to make sure clear explanations will be given to businesspeople, diplomats and international chambers of commerce. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Thursday told the legislature that by “putting a perfect full stop” to the national security framework issue, the city would be able to devote its attention to growing the economy and tackling... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3249795/rebuttal-team-be-set-fight-expected-attacks-hong-kongs-home-grown-national-security-legislation-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3249795/rebuttal-team-be-set-fight-expected-attacks-hong-kongs-home-grown-national-security-legislation-city?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Jan 2024 13:39:56 +0000 A plan to enact Hong Kong’s own national security law this year has been put on the back burner by the government in a move supported by pro-establishment politicians who say more urgent issues need to be tackled. The legislation, required by Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, would complement the national security law imposed on the city by Beijing in 2020. But according to the updated Legislative Council programme seen by lawmakers last week, the government plans to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3195467/hong-kongs-own-national-security-legislation-put-hold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3195467/hong-kongs-own-national-security-legislation-put-hold?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Oct 2022 10:52:44 +0000 A total of 12 Hongkongers had been detained against their will and at least two of them held for ransom so far this year after they were conned into flying to Southeast Asian countries in employment fraud and internet love scams, an emerging crime trend that has sparked a pledge from the central government to protect the city’s residents overseas. A source on Wednesday said one family was forced to pay a large ransom to secure the release of a man lured to Thailand to meet his online... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3189267/beijing-actively-searching-missing-hong-kong-residents?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3189267/beijing-actively-searching-missing-hong-kong-residents?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Aug 2022 23:30:19 +0000 Outgoing US consul in Hong Kong Stephen Young said on Thursday the US did not owe any country an apology in relation to the alleged hacking activities disclosed by whistle-blower Edward Snowden. But Young did say the United States government would address queries made by Hong Kong officials on the issue in its own time and manner. "But I don’t think we owe an apology to anyone," he said when speaking at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Central on Thursday afternoon. The root of the problem... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1285445/us-consul-says-his-country-doesnt-owe-anyone-apology-snowden-affair?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1285445/us-consul-says-his-country-doesnt-owe-anyone-apology-snowden-affair?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jul 2013 09:47:27 +0000 Hong Kong’s security minister on Wednesday repeated calls by the government for the United States to clarify claims made by Edward Snowden that it had been hacking into computers in the city. Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok also said the Hong Kong government was disappointed by the lack of a response on the part the US to its request for verification of the hacking claims. The city’s security bureau wrote to the US government on June 21 asking for verification. We hope the US can give... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1269484/no-reply-us-hacking-claims-disappointing-says-security-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1269484/no-reply-us-hacking-claims-disappointing-says-security-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Jun 2013 08:55:05 +0000 Hong Kong's security chief yesterday said police had checked the city's central hub for internet traffic after whistle-blower Edward Snowden had revealed that it was a target for cyberspying by a US intelligence agency. Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok, who appeared in Legco to answer lawmakers' questions on the matter, assured them the government had set up round-the-clock monitoring of the Hong Kong Internet Exchange (HKIX) at Chinese University. The security chief was trying to placate a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1264616/security-chief-orders-around-clock-protection-data-network?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1264616/security-chief-orders-around-clock-protection-data-network?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000 There used to be a wonderful shop in Kowloon City called "Fat Men's Trousers". No beating about the bush, the name said it all. No need to shuffle in sheepishly wondering whether there would be anything in your size. Everything was in your size. The staff would just get the extra long tape measure round your middle, note the result and point to the right pile. Of course, once you found a pair to fit your nether regions, the legs would be too long - in my case, by up to 30cm. But no problem! The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1255034/security-chief-was-victim-political-correctness-over-rape-comments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1255034/security-chief-was-victim-political-correctness-over-rape-comments?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Unseen forces pushing for incinerator site Gina Chan Fung-chun ("Unbiased ruling for island waste site", May 25) is right to be suspicious of the Environmental Protection Department's motives in choosing Shek Kwu Chau, which is so obviously the wrong place to build an incinerator. Every point in the department's own environmental impact assessment (EIA) made it quite plain that it is the wrong place. Moreover, when the department chose Shek Kwu Chau, it had no idea of how much extra taxpayers'... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/1250013/letters-editor-may-31-2013?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/1250013/letters-editor-may-31-2013?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Security chief should have apologised I was extremely offended by Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok's suggestion that young girls drink less in order to prevent rape ("Security chief blasted for rape remark", May 16). To place any responsibility on the victims instead of entirely on the perpetrator is a classic case of irrational victim blaming. Experts say only a fraction of rapes are reported: it is the same victim-blaming that leads to women being afraid to report such crimes. Mr Lai wrote... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/1247708/letters-editor-may-28-2013?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/1247708/letters-editor-may-28-2013?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 A sudden surge in crime should ring the alarm bells in any society. So when rape cases in Hong Kong are found to have jumped 60 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter, the community rightly expects the problem to be addressed with a sense of urgency. But Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok is apparently eager to teach women a lesson rather than go after the criminals. Noting that some cases involved victims being attacked after drinking, he told young ladies to drink less to avoid being... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1242315/government-ministers-should-think-they-speak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1242315/government-ministers-should-think-they-speak?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Comments on rape a gentle reminder Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok has come under fire for advising women to drink less to avoid being raped ("Security chief blasted for rape remark", May 16). His comments came as government statistics were released showing that rapes in the first three months of this year were up on the same period last year. I believe that Mr Lai was simply advising ladies (regardless of their ages) to avoid doing anything that might increase their chance of being... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/1242314/letters-editor-may-21-2013?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/1242314/letters-editor-may-21-2013?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Security Secretary Lai Tung-kwok said it would be inappropriate for Hong Kong to take action against Manila over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine coastguard. Responding to a call on Saturday by Global Times, a hawkish Communist Party mouthpiece, for Hong Kong and Macau to join a boycott of the Philippines, possibly through tourism and trade, Lai said: "Taiwan has taken a series of actions [in response to the incident], but I think some of these actions would not be... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1241516/improper-hong-kong-boycott-philippines-over-fishermans-killing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1241516/improper-hong-kong-boycott-philippines-over-fishermans-killing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Was Tess Durbeyfield raped or seduced? The answer depends on which version of Tess of the D'Urbervilles we refer to. For all the changes Thomas Hardy has made to the story, and the web of ambiguities spun in each revision, it would seem he has purposefully left that to our imagination. I'm in the "raped" camp, and I'm pretty sure Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok is also, though probably for very different reasons. Tess was "raped" after a night in town with the people of Trantridge, a place... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1241333/security-chiefs-remarks-rape-are-illogical-and-misguided?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1241333/security-chiefs-remarks-rape-are-illogical-and-misguided?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Activists have called on the police to make public their guidelines governing how male officers should physically handle female protesters. The call from the Civil Human Rights Front followed remarks yesterday by secretary for security Lai Tung-kwok that police could decide the matter on a case by case basis. The front's vice-convenor, Icarus Wong Ho-yin, called Lai's remarks shocking. "If the rules are so loose, it can easily lead to abuses of power," Wong said. "It will be very dangerous if... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1241366/police-attacked-after-female-protester-restrained-male-officer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1241366/police-attacked-after-female-protester-restrained-male-officer?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Lai Tung-kwok The secretary for security has attracted the ire of women's groups and members of the public after saying that women should drink less to avoid being raped. The city saw a 60 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of rapes in the first quarter, and Lai said many of the victims had been "drinking quite a lot of alcohol". He has been lambasted for blaming the victims rather than the perpetrators and was urged to apologise.   Bloomberg Long the king of the financial services... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1240871/bad-week-may-19-2013?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1240871/bad-week-may-19-2013?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Quest to end alfresco dining hurts tourism I first landed in Hong Kong in 1994 and found the dining scene quite vibrant and exciting. It was certainly very different from the US, where I hailed from. In my travels around the city and speaking to the locals and to tourists, I quickly learned that Hong Kong dining was among the very best in Asia and considered by many travellers as world class and a real attraction to tourism. One of the unique offerings and one of the elements that added to the... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/1240210/letters-editor-may-18-2013?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/1240210/letters-editor-may-18-2013?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto and our own security chief Lai Tung-kwok have much in common. Both men have caused public outrage this month with their comments related to violence against women. After half a century of the sexual and gender equality revolution, it's remarkable how powerful and well-educated men in Asia still go about life as if nothing has changed. Lai started a furore this week when he suggested women should drink less while socialising to avoid being sexually assaulted. His... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1240143/we-need-sober-view-sexual-violence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1240143/we-need-sober-view-sexual-violence?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The security chief admitted yesterday that he felt "uneasy" after reading e-mails responding to his suggestion that women should drink less to avoid being raped, but he appeared to be standing by the comment. He did not withdraw the remark or apologise despite demands to do so. "I did not mean to put the blame on victims [of rape and sexual abuse]," Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said. On Tuesday, Lai appealed to young women not to drink too much, as the latest government statistics showed... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1239222/security-chief-lai-tung-kwok-stops-short-apology-rape-remark?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1239222/security-chief-lai-tung-kwok-stops-short-apology-rape-remark?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Most women who endure sexual violence don't report it because of shame, and his statement affirmed these fears Si-si Liu Pui-shan on security chief Lai Tung-kwok   Japan was not the only one doing so. Everybody was doing bad things Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto on wartime 'comfort women'   China may seek to turn off our 'eyes and ears' at the time of their choosing US lawmaker Mike Rogers on the US military's use of a Chinese satellite https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1239230/who-said-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1239230/who-said-it?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 A lawmaker has pledged to keep chasing details of how much police spend on entertaining mainland officials after the security chief gave figures showing a 30 per cent increase in entertainment expenses in the past five years, but with no breakdown. James To Kun-sun said that without a breakdown, fears remained of a new scandal like that surrounding former chief graft-buster Timothy Tong Hin-ming. Lawmakers heard that as well as the 30 per cent rise in entertainment payments, police recorded a 60... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1238592/lawmaker-questions-police-spending?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1238592/lawmaker-questions-police-spending?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said on Thursday he had no intention of putting the blame on rape victims when he earlier suggested women should drink less to avoid being assaulted. Lai is facing calls from outraged women’s groups to apologise over the remarks he made on Tuesday. On Tuesday, he said some rape cases involved victims being raped after drinking a lot of alcohol and “so I would appeal that young ladies should not drink too much.” On Thursday, Lai explained that these remarks... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1238303/security-chief-lai-tung-kwok-denies-blaming-rape-victims?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1238303/security-chief-lai-tung-kwok-denies-blaming-rape-victims?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 May 2013 08:29:13 +0000 Public Eye is not gloating … but we told you so. We warned the glut of mainland tourists to our tiny city was a ticking time bomb. But policymakers turned a deaf ear, until the Lunar New Year, when shameful images of mainlanders being forced by crooked travel agencies to sleep in seedy guesthouses, and even in a tourist bus, drew global attention. Now th ey are all scrambling to admit things have got out of hand. It's time to admit the disadvantages now outweigh the advantages of giving easy... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1154124/tick-tock-mainland-tourist-time-bomb-set-blast?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1154124/tick-tock-mainland-tourist-time-bomb-set-blast?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Setting a cap on the number of mainland tourists allowed into Hong Kong would be a tough call, the security chief says. "Of all the tourist cities in the world, I've never heard of any setting a cap on visitors," Lai Tung-kwok said yesterday. "Also, setting a clear-cut limit would not be an easy task." Lai was responding to a call for curbs after facilities were strained by an influx over Lunar New Year. The secretary for security also said limiting the number of times mainlanders could enter... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1151215/cap-tourists-would-be-unprecedented-says-security-chief?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1151215/cap-tourists-would-be-unprecedented-says-security-chief?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:00:00 +0000 A customs officer union has called for more manpower and space at checkpoints after the government pledged to step up inspections of people bringing milk formula over the border. "All our enforcement action will be under the spotlight. So it is putting a lot of pressure on us," said Bernard Lee Kwan-kit, vice-chairman of the Association of Customs and Excise Service Officers, yesterday. Security chief Lai Tung-kwok had earlier in the day said customs officers would step up inspections, joint... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1141380/customs-officers-union-makes-demands-ahead-new-measures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1141380/customs-officers-union-makes-demands-ahead-new-measures?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The security minister was grilled by lawmakers on Monday who criticised the government for not doing enough to curb cross-border parallel traders. Lai Tung-kwok, secretary for security, repeatedly dodged critical remarks in a security panel meeting in the Legislative Council as lawmakers expressed worries that the illegal trades have intensified some Hongkongers’ hatred towards mainlanders. Lai only pledged to take action against the masterminds behind these activities “at the appropriate... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1137765/security-chief-faces-heat-over-cross-border-parallel-traders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1137765/security-chief-faces-heat-over-cross-border-parallel-traders?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jan 2013 03:11:45 +0000 Passing the national security legislation required under Article 23 of the Basic Law was a "constitutional responsibility", Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said yesterday. But Lai said it should begin only at the appropriate time, and the social and political conditions would be considered before a decision was made. He made the remarks while attending a passing-out parade for new graduates of the Police College in Wong Chuk Hang. On Thursday, Zhang Xiaoming, head of the central... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1126664/article-23-law-when-times-right-security-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1126664/article-23-law-when-times-right-security-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jan 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The city's security chief has given Hongkongers an assurance that a controversial national security law - back in the spotlight after a top mainland official said "necessary measures" were needed to stop foreign interference - was not a top priority for Hong Kong's government. Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok made his remarks yesterday on the last day of his five-day visit to Beijing, after meeting Zhang Xiaoming , a deputy director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1094033/article-23-legislation-not-top-priority-lai-tung-kwok-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1094033/article-23-legislation-not-top-priority-lai-tung-kwok-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The Immigration Department has lost three notebook computers containing the personal data of 3,000 travellers. No Hongkongers are among the affected. Officials suspected the computers, used in immigration control at Chek Lap Kok airport, had been stolen. The loss was reported on Wednesday, a department spokesman said. The department reported to the police yesterday and set up a task force to review the security of all of its mobile devices that contained personal data, Secretary for Security Lai... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1064478/hong-kong-immigration-service-loses-computers-information-3000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1064478/hong-kong-immigration-service-loses-computers-information-3000?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong authorities expect the number of cross-border students to rise more than 40 per cent in September and are discussing transport arrangements with their mainland counterparts. Undersecretary for security Lai Tung-kwok said yesterday 12,000 children from kindergarten to secondary school age now crossed the border every day, but this number would surge to 17,000. More mainland parents who gave birth to children in Hong Kong were sending them to school in the city, putting pressure on... https://www.scmp.com/article/1001374/more-cross-border-pupils-test-logistics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1001374/more-cross-border-pupils-test-logistics?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The decision by the Director of Immigration, Lai Tung-kwok, to retire in April has raised concerns about the appointment of a successor. Although Mr Lai was due to retire in November this year when he turned 57, a government source said Mr Lai wanted to take pre-retirement leave and quit in April. The Civil Service Bureau confirmed yesterday that it had received Mr Lai's notice of retirement. It said it would follow standing procedures to appoint a new director and make an announcement in due... https://www.scmp.com/article/627279/immigration-chief-take-early-retirement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/627279/immigration-chief-take-early-retirement?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:00:00 +0000 The immigration chief has defended the department's frontline officers after a 10-year-old girl disappeared after crossing the border at Lo Wu alone last week. Speaking publicly about the case for the first time, Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok said it was impractical to question every child at border checkpoints. 'Thousands of schoolchildren cross the border to study in Hong Kong every day and most of them make the trip alone, and I think the number of children crossing the border will... https://www.scmp.com/article/595443/officers-acted-properly-missing-girl-case-immigration-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/595443/officers-acted-properly-missing-girl-case-immigration-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Some of the city's marriage registries may eventually close as prospective brides and grooms take advantage of the relaxed marriage laws, said director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok yesterday. Speaking on Commercial Radio, Mr Lai said he expected the number of people using marriage registries would 'definitely decrease' with the amended marriage ordinance, which allows couples to take their vows at any time, anywhere in Hong Kong. 'If you ask me, I think there will definitely be fewer... https://www.scmp.com/article/545924/bells-may-toll-marriage-registries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/545924/bells-may-toll-marriage-registries?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Apr 2006 16:00:00 +0000 Is nothing sacred? That rhetorical question is cliched, and every cliche needs a good excuse. In this case one has been provided by the Director of Immigration, Lai Tung-kwok, in his capacity as Hong Kong's Registrar of Marriages. Marriage, he announced yesterday, has been privatised. If you don't believe it - if you are thinking, is nothing sacred? - here it is, in the director's own bureaucratese, on the government's information website: 'The purpose of the Civil Celebrants of Marriages... https://www.scmp.com/article/545792/deregulating-marriage-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/545792/deregulating-marriage-business?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:00:00 +0000