Tag Archives: China

     A man who went missing in Tsuen Wan has been located.      Li Chin-man, aged 42, went missing after he left his residence on Tso Kung Street in the small hours of March 22. His family made a rep… read more

     The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) held the Launching Ceremony of the Child Protection Comic Book Series cum Multi-Disciplinary Seminar on Navigating Online Grooming Risks: Spotting and Stopping them today (March 25). Over 500 principals, teachers, social workers, child service providers, parents and police officers participated in person and online in parallel.

     The Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, highlighted in his speech that there were 1 359 child sexual abuse cases in 2024, with 94 cases (7 per cent) involving online elements. In the first two months of 2025 alone, 10 cases of online grooming were recorded, including two rape cases involving victims as young as 12 years old. These figures highlighted the severity and alarming rising trend of online grooming.

     He noted that the HKPF conducted a survey on online grooming in 2024, interviewing 2 000 students of secondary One to Four. The findings revealed that over 60 per cent of the participants had encountered online grooming, including receiving explicit messages, being asked for nude photos, or even being lured into meetings for sexual exploitation. The survey also indicated that factors such as using social media at a younger age, spending more time online, and having multiple social media accounts significantly increase the risk of falling victim to online grooming.

     Mr Siu emphasised that the threat of online grooming should not be overlooked. Addressing the issue requires the joint efforts among schools, parents and students to foster a safer online environment through education, supervision and trust. He stressed that much like other crime prevention efforts, educating children about safe internet practices must “start from a young age with continuous and concerted efforts”. He called on parents and educational stakeholders to work together continuously, helping children develop the ability to resist dangers and establishing a safer environment for future generations.

     The HKPF has been actively promoting child protection initiatives, including the “Let’s T.A.L.K. – Child Protection Campaign” and the newly launched eight-volume “Child Protection Comic Book” Series. The comic books address topics such as online child sexual grooming, prevention of child abuse, naked chat and court trial procedures.  The series aims to educate children and juveniles on how to identify risks and protect themselves. The comic books will be distributed to over 1 500 primary schools and kindergartens, public libraries, and related non-profit organisations across Hong Kong, thereby spreading the message of child protection and fostering a safe and healthy environment for children to grow up.

     Mr Siu, along with the ambassadors of the HKPF Child Protection Campaign, Mr Bernard Chan and Ms Guo Jingjing; the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Department of Justice, Ms Maggie Yang; the Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service, Ms Melissa Kaye Pang; the Assistant Director (Family and Child Welfare) of the Social Welfare Department, Ms Wendy Chau; Clinical Professor of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Patrick Ip; and the Chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, Mr Eugene Fong; officiated at the comic book series launching ceremony.

     To raise public awareness and create a safer online environment for children, a seminar was held following the launching ceremony. Officers from the HKPF and representatives of the relevant sectors discussed the risks of online grooming faced by children and explored practical coping strategies.

     Speaking at the seminar were the Chairman of the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, Mr Dion Chen; the Founder and Honorary President of the Smart City Consortium, Mr Eric Yeung; the Hong Kong E-sports Team member, Mr Pang Ka-kit; and the senior social worker of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Mr Eric Chu Heung-hung.

     The seminar marked the successful conclusion of the fourth year of the “Let’s T.A.L.K. – Child Protection Campaign”.  Details of the campaign have been uploaded onto the one-stop child protection online platform (www.childprotection.gov.hk).
     

      

     The Hong Kong Police Force staged its new play, “Interactive Anti-Drug Theatre – A Space Study Adventure”, at an experience session today (March 25), to deliver anti-drug messages to over 200 principals, teachers and upper primary students, aiming to safeguard schools from the emerging “space oil drug”.
      
     Speaking at the session, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, pointed out that 31 students were arrested for serious drug offences last year, with the youngest arrestee involved in the “space oil drug” being 12 years old. He noted that although the number of arrests was the lowest since 2021, one juvenile drug case is still far too many. While law enforcement efforts are being stepped up, it is important to pass on the anti-drug culture through education and to “start from a young age with continuous and concerted efforts”.
      
     Mr Siu added that the Police Narcotics Bureau (NB) has organised the “Interactive Anti-Drug Theatre” for the third consecutive year. Over the past two years, anti-drug messages have been disseminated to more than 13 500 primary students in nearly 100 school performances. He described the interactive engagement of the student audience as one of the best parts of the theatre, demonstrating the passing on of the anti-drug culture.
      
     Before the performance, a representative from the anti-drug service unit of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups’ Youth Crime Prevention Centre shared insights into the serious consequences of using the “space oil drug”, cautioning students about its far-reaching harm while urging them to adopt a firm stance: “Drugs? Never, Ever!”.
      
     Representatives of school sponsoring bodies, principals, teachers and students from over 60 primary schools attended today’s event. The actors in the play took the audience on a study trip, during which they resisted the temptation of drugs. Through interactive questions designed to inspire critical thinking, students gained a thorough understanding of the harmful effects caused by drug abuse, and became more vigilant against the “space oil drug”.
      
     As the NB’s first flagship publicity campaign for this year on the “space oil drug”, the “Interactive Anti-Drug Theatre – A Space Study Adventure” will be staged in primary schools starting this month. Schools interested in learning more and arranging a performance can contact the NB by email (ip-sip-int-1e-nb@police.gov.hk).

      

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, arrived in Hainan today (March 25) to attend the Global Free Trade Port Development Forum at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025.
      
     Addressing the forum, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping, and trade centre, enjoys a strategic location and world-class connectivity, championing free and multilateral trade. Under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong is the only world city that combines the China advantage with the global advantage. It boasts a long tradition of the rule of law and has an established common law regime that aligns with major global financial hubs.
      
     Mr Lee noted that as a participant in the Global Free Trade Zone (Port) Partnership Initiative, Hong Kong will continue to collaborate with Hainan in promoting the vast opportunities that free trade and market liberalisation could bring to the world.
      
     In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner with leaders of Hainan Province to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong’s co-operation with Hainan.
      
     Additionally, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended the “Enhance Digital Capacity Building & Bridging Digital Divide” forum this afternoon. He outlined Hong Kong’s move to accelerate digital economy development through strengthening digital infrastructure and fostering digital transformation. The Government is pressing ahead with the Digital Corporate Identity Platform project at full speed. By adhering to the principle of “promoting technology with talent, leading industries with technology, and attracting talent with industries”, the Government will provide more quality jobs and development opportunities for innovation and technology (I&T) and digital talent in Hong Kong and for those coming to Hong Kong, thereby pooling I&T talent from around the globe.
      
     Mr Lee will meet with leaders of Hainan Province and attend the signing ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the People’s Government of Hainan Province tomorrow (March 26).

      

     Correctional officers at Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre stopped a male remand person in custody attacking a staff member of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (March 25).         &nb… read more