The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) officially launched a two-year Pilot Partnership Programme for Cyber Security Information Sharing named Cybersec Infohub and the first cross-sector cyber security information sharing and collaborative platform in Hong Kong today (September 24). The Cybersec Infohub aims to promote cyber security information exchange among public organisations, the private sector and the community and enhance the city's overall defensive capability and resilience against cyber attacks.

     All companies and organisations with a business address in Hong Kong which manage electronic communications networks and have operational needs for cyber security information, irrespective of size, are eligible to become members of the Cybersec Infohub for free.

     Through the collaborative platform (Cybersechub.hk) established under the Cybersec Infohub, members can share cyber security information, advice and expert insights on topics such as mitigation measures and best practices with cyber security experts from different industries, while the public can obtain such professional information via the Public Zone, making information sharing multi-directional. The collaborative platform is also meant to promote collaboration among members. By sharing the latest intelligence of cyber threats and attacks at the earliest time, members will be alerted and able to join forces in guarding against cyber attacks more effectively.

     On the security front, apart from strict compliance with the Government's security policies and guidelines, the collaborative platform adopts two-step verification for login and industry standards for cyber security information sharing. All these measures will ensure a trusted environment for members to share information and intelligence as well as discuss or collaborate with other experts in the Members Zone securely. Members may also gather and export indicators of compromise from the collaborative platform for their own systems for application or further security analysis.

     Addressing the launch ceremony today, the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Victor Lam, said, "Cyber attacks are happening anytime and cyber threats are in various guises. It is hard for enterprises or organisations to deal with the ever-changing cyber threats alone. Close collaboration based on mutual trust to share cyber security information is therefore essential."

     Mr Lam said that many cyber security information sharing organisations have been set up around the world, enabling their members to respond in a timely manner at the early stage of cyber threats or attacks through sharing of intelligence, knowledge and experience. He expressed the hope that via the Cybersec Infohub, a collaborative culture and closer partnership could also be built up among members of the local industry to facilitate more effective and prompt reaction to cyber attacks.

     At present, 229 representatives from 81 companies and organisations have registered as members of the Cybersec Infohub. Many of them have taken the lead to share information on the platform, including the latest trends of cyber threats, research reports on ransomware and security advisories on vulnerabilities. The participating companies and organisations include cyber security companies, tertiary institutions, critical infrastructure operators, information technology professional associations, telecommunications or Internet service providers, financial and insurance institutions, and two local Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centres.

     Mr Lam said that artificial intelligence elements will be introduced to the collaborative platform by making use of machine learning to build and operate the text analytics model in the first half of next year. The move will assist members in the integration and analysis of cyber security information, facilitating easier and faster acquisition of required information by experts and timely dissemination of the information to the public.

     The Cybersec Infohub is managed by the OGCIO with funding support from TechConnect (Block Vote) under the Innovation and Technology Bureau. The OGCIO also held today the first Members Professional Workshop, in which information security experts enlightened members on the contemporary cyber threat trends, a case study and cyber security benchmarking. In future, the OGCIO will continue to organise different seminars and workshops to promote mutual trust and collaboration among members and the cyber security information sharing culture.

     Regarding the announcement by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) today (September 24) on its acquisition of a private interest in AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), a Government spokesman said that the Government welcomes the acquisition, believing that it would facilitate the further development of Hong Kong's convention and exhibition (C&E) industry and create greater synergy with the SkyCity development of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

     The C&E industry is crucial to Hong Kong as an international commerce and trading centre. It promotes the export trade of Hong Kong, facilitates the development of products and services industries and attracts high-spending overnight business visitors to Hong Kong. The findings of a consultancy study commissioned by the Government in 2014 revealed that by 2028, there will be a shortfall of about 130 000 square metres of space at C&E peak periods in Hong Kong.

     The spokesman said, "In order to consolidate and enhance the competitiveness of the C&E industry of Hong Kong, the Government is proactively taking forward measures to increase the supply of C&E space, while at the same time seeking to better utilise existing C&E space. AWE is one of the important dedicated C&E venues in Hong Kong. The AA's acquisition of a private interest in AWE helps better capitalise on the strengths of the existing AWE space in hosting C&E events."

     He said, "AWE's future development will also organically connect with the business elements of the SkyCity project of HKIA, such as hotel, retail, catering and entertainment services, thereby creating greater synergy. This will help grasp the opportunities of the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, contributing to developing HKIA as an aeropolis connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the world."

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, on exercising power under the Societies Ordinance at a media session at Central Government Offices, Tamar, today (September 24):

Reporter: I've got three questions. First, can the National Party (Hong Kong National Party) plan all those political slogans, say chants, to really be counted as something that will affect national security or the rights and freedom of others, and warrant such a ban? The second question – what if the members of the National Party join other groups, or they start another group? Will they still be considered as acting illegally? Third question – would the Government review if other pro-independence groups should be banned also under this Ordinance?

Secretary for Security: I have explained in detail the considerations that I included in my decision. I have explained that the Hong Kong National Party has a very clear agenda to achieve its goal of Hong Kong being made an independent republic. I have also explained that over two years, it has plans, it has executed actions to implement the plans. I have given examples of how the Hong Kong National Party tried to achieve this.

     Let me repeat some of the examples. First, the Hong Kong National Party tried to register its party as a company. Its convenor also tried to appear as a candidate for an election, so as to obtain more resources, allow the Hong Kong National Party an opportunity to be more noticed, so as to achieve its goal. It has various plans to, for example, recruit members, go into schools to infiltrate, and advertise what he wants to achieve. And he also staged street booths to let people know and support its goal. What the agenda of the Hong Kong National Party aims to, is in strict contravention of the Basic Law, and also is against national security. In the course of achieving its aims, the Hong Kong National Party also spreads hatred and discrimination against Mainlanders in Hong Kong. It has also made it very clear that it would make use of all means to achieve its goal, and this includes the option of using force. It has also used the term "armed revolution" while its convenor has on some occasions indicated that they would use non-violent means to achieve the goal. I cannot ignore the fact that the Hong Kong National Party has repeatedly advocated that it would use all methods, including the use of force, and also encouraging its supporters to use force.

     Taking the whole in totality, in the interests of national security, public safety, public order, and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others, I made the decision that I exercise the power that is given to the Secretary for Security to issue an order to prohibit its operation or continued operation.

     In regard to your question about some of the members using different ways to appear to further its goal, we have to look at the provisions under the Societies Ordinance. I explained that Section 19 to Section 23 clearly explain what are the acts that members of an unlawful society will be governed by the law. So depending on how these people act, we have to look at the action they have done in the circumstances of the actual case, whether it constitutes an offence under the law.

Reporter: Would the Government review if other pro-independence groups should also be banned under the Ordinance?
 
Secretary for Security: Any person or any organisation, if their acts are governed by the laws of Hong Kong, then they will have to take responsibilities for their acts. Law enforcement agencies will act in accordance with the law to deal with the situations.
 
Reporter: You said previously Vice-Premier of China, Han Zheng, has spoken to you about this ban. In your consideration of making this decision, have you taken into account his words or words of any other Mainland Chinese officials?
 
Secretary for Security: I considered the case of the Hong Kong National Party based on the Assistant Societies Officer's recommendation, the representation made by the Hong Kong National Party or its representatives. I considered all the laws that are applicable to Hong Kong. I made the decision myself. Any other things are not taken into consideration, such as what you have described.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) 

     A new round of applications to operate photography service stalls at the Piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) is now open. The stalls provide live photography services for tourists and the general public. Professional photographers are invited to submit applications.
 
     The contract period for the live photography service stalls is scheduled from January 2 to December 30 next year. There will be five stall sites for 10 photography stall operators to operate on alternate days. Operators must provide services for at least two consecutive hours between 10.30am and 10.30pm on each operating day. A successful applicant is required to personally manage a stall in accordance with the operational requirements and pay a non-refundable registration fee of $3,150.
 
     All applicants are required to conduct photo demonstrations at the HKCC on the designated date and provide photos for assessment by a vetting panel of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. If the number of qualified applications exceeds the available number of stalls, selection will be made by drawing lots. Please refer to the application form for details on operational arrangements and application.
 
     Interested individuals can obtain an application form from the HKCC Enquiries Counter or download it from the website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/hkcc/livephotographyservicestalls.html). Completed application forms should be delivered to the Enquiries Counter at the Foyer, Auditoria Building, HKCC, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, on or before 5pm on October 23. Enquiries can be made by phone on 2734 2009.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 1.9 kilograms of suspected Totoaba macdonaldi fish maws with an estimated market value of about $300,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on September 22.

     Customs officers inspected an express parcel from Los Angeles, the United States, on September 22 and found the suspected Totoaba macdonaldi fish maws contained inside.

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

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