Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lo Wai-chung, at a media session at Police Headquarters today (June 27):
 
Reporter: Mr Lee, what are you going to answer to the protesters' demands, to prevent protesters from escalating their actions further? And you asked the public not to vent their political anger on the Police but many protesters are actually angry about police power abuse and alleged violence. What do you have to say? For Mr Lo, why have you taken the hands-off approach in dealing with the previous Police Headquarters siege? Are you going to review the strategy?
 
Secretary for Security: We understand that a lot of people have their own views about the Government's action in proposing the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance. The Government has stated very clearly that the scrutiny of the bill (Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019) has been suspended. And the Government will accept the fact that if at the end of this LegCo (Legislative Council) term the bill cannot continue to be scrutinised, we will accept that reality. In other words, the Government will accept that the bill, up to the expiry of the LegCo term, will become ineffective. We hope that through our different messages, and the attitude of the Government to inform the public that in future we will all be taking serious consideration of public opinions and public sentiments in making proposals in different areas, then we can proceed and progress in a proper manner for the overall benefit of Hong Kong. I hope everybody understands that Hong Kong is the home of each one of us. We all want to make it better. We will take into consideration the aspirations, views and opinions of the different sectors of the public, in particular, as the Chief Executive has said many times, the opinions of our young people. We hope that through what we do in these coming three years, we will let people understand the good intention of the Government to ensure that Hong Kong will progress in accordance with the aspirations and wishes of the people. In regard to the different complaints regarding police action, we have a long-established system of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC), which will monitor and scrutinise investigations conducted by the Complaints Against Police Office, and I fully respect the independence of the IPCC. And the system has been used for many years in dealing with complaints against the Police. In respect of many major events, such as the illegal occupation (in Central) and the Mong Kok riot case, all these complaints had been dealt with thoroughly, impartially by the IPCC. Before the law, everybody is equal. We should respect the rule of law, and we should respect due process. I am sure that the IPCC will do all it can. I am sure that all complaint investigations will thoroughly and impartially be dealt with, and that they will discharge their duty to the spirit and intention of the IPCC ordinance.
 
Commissioner of Police: I am afraid I cannot reveal our operational strategies or deployment details, but I can tell you the overriding principles for my operational decisions will always be first, public interest, and second the interest of my officers. Thank you.   
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (June 27) reported that the suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) pending results yesterday (June 26), upon preliminary testing, tested negative for MERS Coronavirus.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 26) conducted an anti-smuggling operation and smashed an organised high-value seafood smuggling syndicate for the first time. A total of about 5.2 tonnes of suspected smuggled chilled fish with an estimated market value of about $1 million were seized in Sha Tau Kok.

     Customs earlier conducted an in-depth investigation on the smuggling syndicate and took enforcement action yesterday. Customs officers found three men moving a batch of chilled fish from a lorry onto a speedboat at the seashore of Sha Tau Kok. Customs officers then took action and seized a batch of suspected smuggled chilled fish.

     Customs officers later intercepted three lorries suspected to be related to the case in the vicinity. A further batch of suspected smuggled chilled fish was seized inside the cargo compartments of two of the lorries.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers searched five companies suspected to be in connection with the case in Sha Tau Kok, Mong Kok and Kowloon Bay, and seized a batch of relevant documents for investigation.

     In the operation, Customs arrested eight men aged from 36 to 54. Six lorries and eight speedboats were also detained for further investigation.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Hong Kong Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat smuggling activities.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

      

     An operational event at Yangjiang Nuclear Power Station (YNPS) was reported today (June 27) on the website of Yangjiang Nuclear Power Co Ltd (YNPC), a spokesperson for the Security Bureau said today.

     On June 26, when performing the isolated maintenance operation of the auxiliary feed water pump drain tank of YNPS Unit 1, station staff found that an abnormality had occurred at the auxiliary feed water pump. They took timely action to rectify the problem and the pump soon resumed normal operation.

     The event was classified as a "Below Scale Licensing Operational Event" (i.e. "Level 0" event) on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and has no effect on the safe operation of the nuclear power station, the health of the workers, the nearby public or the environment. All nuclear generating units currently in operation at YNPS remain in safe and stable operation.

     YNPC has disclosed the details about this event on its website. They can be viewed at the "operational events" section under the "nuclear and radiation safety information" webpage of the YNPC website (www.yjnp.com.cn).   

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (June 27) for people in need of the service.
 
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
 
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
 
     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 20 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.