Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by PSCST at opening ceremony of Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference 2026 (English only)
Sophia (Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Sophia Chong), 張主任 (Director of the Asia Tourism Exchange Center, Mr Zhang Dong), Maura (President and Chief Executive Officer of Licensing International, Ms Maura Regan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning.
I am delighted to join you all today at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference 2026.
The Hong Kong International Licensing Show is a premier annual event that brings together global licensors and brands to explore business opportunities with licensees, agents and traders. This year, we are thrilled to have over 600 brands and 330 exhibitors participating in this three-day fair right here in Hong Kong.
The Government has been actively promoting the cultural and creative IP (intellectual property) industry in line with the strategic directions set out in the Policy Address. At the Hong Kong International Licensing Show this year, we are pleased to present 39 emerging Hong Kong design companies supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, CCIDA in short, under my bureau. These companies are showcasing their licensable designs at the DLAB (Design Licensing and Business) Hong Kong Pavilion. Their participation not only highlights the vitality and originality of Hong Kong designs, but also helps raise our international visibility and market competitiveness. I invite you to stop by and show your support to our young designers.
Looking ahead, CCIDA will continue to support the production, application and circulation of cross-sector and cross-genre creative content through the CreateSmart Initiative, our dedicated funding scheme for Hong Kong’s creative sector. In particular, we are stepping up support for collaborative projects involving cultural IPs with development potential across a range of sectors, including animation and comics, printing and publishing, design, film, and art technology.
I wish to cite the animation project Another World (《世外》) as an example. With support from CCIDA, it has grown from a promising start-up project of short animation into an award-winning feature film with international attention. Building on this success, the project has gone on to register and commercialise nine IP characters, with art toy prototypes now under development. This demonstrates how creative ideas, when nurtured in the right ecosystem, can evolve into valuable and marketable IP assets.
To expand market opportunities and broaden the audience reach of local IPs and capture new commercial opportunities across the retail, tourism and lifestyle sectors, we are also supporting various public-facing initiatives both locally and abroad.
In addition, CCIDA has been working closely with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to promote the registration of creative products on the Asia IP Exchange. Following the commencement of its new operation on March 31 this year, the platform now offers a comprehensive database of nearly 10 000 arts, cultural and creative IP items, which further facilitates commercialisation, licensing and business transactions.
I would like to congratulate the Hong Kong Trade Development Council on organising these two important events once again. I also wish all exhibitors, visitors and participants a very rewarding experience in the days ahead.
Thank you.
Issued at HKT 11:10
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Chinese Culture Festival 2026 to hold free Chinese opera talks, workshops and exhibitions
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
To foster public appreciation and understanding of the artistic features of Chinese opera, the Chinese Opera Festival (COF) 2026, as a core part of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, will organise a series of free activities from May to September, including talks on Chinese opera culture, demonstration talks and stylised movement workshops as well as thematic exhibitions. These activities will explore the artistic essence and repertoire appreciation of various opera genres from multiple perspectives.
Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera
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In conjunction with this year’s COF theme “Righteousness and Loyalty in Chinese Opera” and repertoires, Chinese opera researchers Chen Liangliang and Hu Guangming will lead audiences through the distinctive charm of Chinese opera culture – from literary themes to role categories and stage artistry – with professional guidance and insightful analysis.
Topic: Attachment and Illusion: The Dramaturgy of “A Dream Under the Southern Bough”
Date: May 9 (Saturday)
Speaker: Chen Liangliang
Topic: When Loyalty Means Sacrifice: From Lin Chong to Yue Fei
Date: May 16 (Saturday)
Speaker: Chen Liangliang
Topic: Loyalty and Filial Piety as Represented by the Yang Family in Chinese Opera Tradition: Insights from the Yu Opera “Mu Guiying Takes Command”
Date: May 23 (Saturday)
Speaker: Hu Guangming
Topic: The Performing Arts of the “Wusheng” in Peking Opera: Insights from “Lin Chong on the Run” and “The Pulley”
Date: May 30 (Saturday)
Speaker: Hu Guangming
“‘Kunqu’ On and Beyond the Stage” Demonstration Talks
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Presented by Chinese opera researcher Chan Chun-miu, with live demonstrations by the Concordia Kunqu Society of Hong Kong, these demonstration talks will delve into the essence of “Kunqu” music, development and the set tunes that it performs, guiding audiences into the refined aesthetics of the genre from a more comprehensive perspective.
Topic: What Does Qu Mean in “Kunqu”?
Date: May 17 (Sunday)
Topic: What Plays are Performed in Kunqu Opera?
Date: May 24 (Sunday)
Topic: The Codified Notation of “Kunqu” Music
Date: May 31 (Sunday)
Topic: The Exquisite Art of “Kunqu”: A Guided Concert
Date: June 7 (Sunday)
The Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera and “‘Kunqu’ On and Beyond the Stage” Demonstration Talks will be conducted in Putonghua, and will be held at 2.30pm at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Workshops and Talks on Kunqu Opera
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Main cast members of the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre will offer demonstrations and interactive experiences, allowing participants to appreciate Kunqu opera’s captivating artistry – from stage stylised movements to the art of painted faces.
Workshop on the Stylised Movements of “Sheng” (Male) Roles
in Kunqu Opera
Date: June 29 (Monday)
Tutor: Shi Xiaming
Workshop on the Stylised Movements of “Dan” (Female) Roles
in Kunqu Opera
Date: June 30 (Tuesday)
Tutor: He Xinyue
A Demonstration Talk on the Painted Faces of “Kunqu”
Date: July 29 (Wednesday)
Speaker: Sun Jing
The above-mentioned workshops on the stylised movements will be held at 7.30pm at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, while A Demonstration Talk on the Painted Faces of “Kunqu” will be held at 7.30pm at the Exhibition Gallery of Sha Tin Town Hall. The events will be conducted in Putonghua. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Exhibitions
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Thematic exhibitions will be held at various venues across the city from June to September. Alongside displays introducing Peking opera’s martial male roles and the Kunqu Opera “A Dream Under the Southern Bough”, an exhibition entitled “The Righteous and the Loyal in Chinese Opera” will be presented to complement this year’s COF theme, inviting visitors to gain insights into the profound cultural heritage and patriotic spirit embedded in Chinese opera. Admission is free.
The Art of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles
Period: June 10 to 28
Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
The Virtual Realm of Kingdom of Huai’an – The Staging of “A Dream Under the Southern Bough”
Period: June 18 to 27
Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Sha Tin Town Hall
Period: June 29 to August 2
Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Tai Po Civic Centre
“The Righteous and the Loyal in Chinese Opera” Exhibition
Period: June 24 to July 10
Venue: Exhibition Gallery, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
Period: July 15 to 31
Venue: Exhibition Corner, Yuen Long Theatre
Period: July 17 to September 4
Venue: Arts Resource Centre, Hong Kong Central Library
In addition to the above-mentioned talks, workshops and exhibitions, extension activities including meet-the-artists sessions, backstage tours and a demonstration performance of Peking opera will be held during the CCF period to promote the artistry and culture of Chinese traditional opera. For more information about the events, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html.
The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 will be held from June to September. It will host various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2026, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.
JPC AI-GITAL NOMADS Scheme cum Award Presentation Ceremony successfully held
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Junior Police Call (JPC) of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), held the AI-GITAL NOMADS Scheme cum Award Presentation Ceremony today (April 25) to recognise the outstanding achievements of JPC members in Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning and creative application.
At the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, stated that promoting AI education in primary and secondary schools is key to enhancing the future competitiveness of Hong Kong. Under the guidance of the HKBU instructors and industry experts, JPC members not only mastered skills such as precise AI prompt engineering and chatbot dialogue design, but also learned to apply technology to solve practical problems through this scheme. Participants successfully applied AI to address social issues, including integrating anti-scam messages into game designs and conveying national security concepts through AI generated four-panel comics. He encouraged the participants to maintain their curiosity and continue exploring the possibilities of technology to address societal challenges.
The scheme aims to enable youths to acquire AI knowledge, broaden their horizons, and explore innovative thinking through AI courses and competitions. It attracted over 500 JPC members from Primary Four to Secondary Six. The scheme comprised three stages: face-to-face courses, online courses, and a hackathon. More than 90 JPC members who completed the first two stages formed 27 teams to participate in the hackathon today. The competing teams were required to apply the AI skills learned in previous courses to design four-panel comics and games, showcasing their creativity. A total of 10 awards were presented at the ceremony, including the awards for outstanding performance teams and the Best Team Spirit Award selected by the judging panel, as well as the Most Popular Award voted for by the guests in attendance.
Officiating guests at the ceremony also included the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Director of Operations, Mr Lui Kam-ho; and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Public Relations), Mr Chan Sze-tat.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum’s MuseTeens: Youth Leadership Scheme 2026 accepts applications
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Heritage Museum’s MuseTeens: Youth Leadership Scheme 2026 accepts applications
Selected secondary school students will join the two-week training from July 27 to August 7. Themed “When Collections Take the Lead – Creative Stop-motion Animation”, this year’s scheme offers participants the opportunity to explore the museum’s collections and integrate techniques of stop-motion animation to transform precious artefacts into vivid animated characters. Outstanding works may be selected for public display in the Learning Journey Gallery at the museum by the end of this year.
Participants will join a series of museum learning and extension activities. These include curatorial teams sharing the behind-the-scenes stories of exhibitions, techniques of writing exhibition texts and leading guided tours, as well as fundamental principles of collection management. After acquiring the skills of leading guided tours, participants can invite family members or friends for a personalised guided tour. A team from the Conservation Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will also share conservation case studies, and guide participants to visit the conservation laboratories. An art scholar and an expert will share insights with participants on Chinese art, digital media and the development of Hong Kong animation, exploring how contemporary media promote art accessibility. Participants can also visit the Oil Street Art Space as well, to experience how art connects with the community.
After completing the training, participants will return to their schools to introduce the HKHM to teachers and fellow students, and share their creative journey, learning insights and personal reflections on culture and art.
The scheme is free of charge. Students should be nominated by their schools. Each school can nominate five students at most. Eligible applicants will be notified by the HKHM, and will be invited for an interview in early June. The scheme will select 20 students from the junior secondary group and 20 from the senior secondary group. The activities will be conducted in Cantonese. For details of the scheme, please visit the website at www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en/museteens.htmlIssued at HKT 15:00
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LegCo to continue Second Reading debate on Appropriation Bill 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (April 29) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2026 will continue and Government officials will speak on the Bill. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, all of which require written replies.
The agenda of the above meeting is available on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.
Correctional officers stop fighting among remand persons in custody
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Correctional Officers at Tung Tau Correctional Institution stopped a fight among remand persons in custody today (April 25).
At 12.58pm today, nine male remand persons in custody, aged between 24 and 46, engaged in a fight inside a dining hall. Officers immediately stopped the fight and called for reinforcement.
During the incident, two remand persons in custody sustained injuries to their back and foot respectively. They did not need to be sent to a public hospital after receiving medical examination and treatment by an institution Medical Officer. Another remand person in custody sustained injuries to his forehead and nose. He was referred to a public hospital for further treatment after examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer. The remaining remand persons in custody did not sustain any injury.
The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.
The nine persons in custody were remanded for offences that include trafficking in dangerous drugs, false imprisonment, possession of offensive weapon, theft, robbery and aggravated burglary.
Two company directors fined $132,000 for contravening Employment Ordinance
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Two directors of Ocean Empire International Limited were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The two directors pleaded guilty at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (April 27) and were fined a total sum of $132,000.
The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay 10 employees’ wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods and termination of employment contract, totalling about $563,000. The two directors concerned were prosecuted and convicted for their consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.
“The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have personal liability to ensure payment of wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO,” a spokesman for the LD said.
”The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added.
Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information on cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (April 27) on the latest situation and arrangements for the upcoming Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland.
The Immigration Department (ImmD) estimates that around 6 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland (from May 1 to May 5). The ImmD, in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 5 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points (BCPs). The number of outbound and inbound passengers using BCPs will be relatively higher on May 2 (Saturday) and May 3 (Sunday), with around 636 000 passengers and 688 000 passengers respectively.
The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 246 000, 227 000 and 172 000 passengers respectively.
To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment, and operation of additional counters, temporary counters and channels. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.
Furthermore, the ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored, and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.
The ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. Residents and visitors may also visit “Easy Boundary” (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound), a one-stop information platform on immigration clearance launched by the Security Bureau, to obtain useful information in one go, including the respective average waiting time for passengers and private cars at land BCPs, as well as for the HZMB cross-boundary shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), so as to plan their trips and save waiting time.
For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.
Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.
About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. To further enhance passenger clearance efficiency, 12 additional new e-channels, equipped with the “Face Easy e-Channel” function, have been installed in the Hong Kong International Airport arrival hall. When using the “Face Easy e-Channel” service, eligible Hong Kong residents only need to face the cameras, and arrival immigration clearance will be completed upon successful verification of identity via facial recognition technology. There is no need for them to present any documents or QR code. Moreover, the eligibility criteria for the e-Channel service for Hong Kong permanent residents, holders of Electronic Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (e-EEP), holders of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) electronic ordinary passports, departing visitors using “Smart Departure”, Macao residents and frequent visitors have been adjusted, and the enrolment procedure for the e-Channel service have been simplified. For details of the e-Channel services, please visit: www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/immigration_clearance.html
Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile App, send a message to 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form.
The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.
Singapore ETO supports Hong Kong racers at LOVEBoracay International Dragon Boat Festival and promotes Hong Kong as Asia’s events capital
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) supported Hong Kong teams participating in the LOVEBoracay International Dragon Boat Festival 2026, held from April 24 to 26 in the Philippines, while taking the opportunity to promote Hong Kong as the events capital of Asia.
Jointly organised by the Boracay Dragon Boat Association (BDBA), Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) and the local government unit of the Municipality of Malay, Aklan Province, the Festival attracted over 50 teams from 14 countries and regions, with some 2 000 athletes participating to compete for awards in five race categories. Among them, seven teams with nearly 200 racers were from Hong Kong. In support of the Hong Kong athletes, the Singapore ETO sponsored complimentary round-trip local transportation between the airport and hotel for all Hong Kong participants.
To further engage with the Hong Kong teams and strengthen exchanges with local counterparts, the Singapore ETO hosted a “Hong Kong Night” dinner yesterday (April 25), attended by about 40 guests, including representatives from Hong Kong teams, the BDBA, the PDBF, the local government unit of the Municipality of Malay, and the International Dragon Boat Federation. The evening facilitated active exchanges on dragon boat training and race experiences, as well as exploration of further collaboration and participation in future events.
This evening (April 26), the Director of the Singapore ETO, Ms Elsa Hung, attended the Festival’s prize presentation ceremony and presented the HKETO Championship trophies, sponsored by the Singapore ETO, to the champions of the five race categories.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Hung said that dragon boat racing has deep cultural roots and always brings together people from different regions and backgrounds, fostering exchange and friendship and inspiring a spirit of striving for excellence. She thanked the organisers for their dedicated efforts in organising the Festival and its continued support for Hong Kong teams, leading to a steady increase in the number of Hong Kong athletes taking part in the Festival in recent years.
She added that the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board annually in June are a signature mega event that attracted over 4 500 participating athletes from around the world last year. The 2026 Races, marking the 50th anniversary of this iconic event, will be held on June 27 and 28. She invited athletes and participants in the Festival to join this cherished tradition and golden anniversary celebration in Hong Kong.
Ms Hung highlighted that the Philippines is one of Hong Kong’s key partners. In 2025, Hong Kong welcomed a record high of 1.35 million visitors from the Philippines, representing a 12.8 per cent increase over 2024 and making the Philippines the second-largest non-Mainland visitor source market. Hong Kong has been forging ahead with its mega events economy, with a diverse array of events held throughout the year spanning finance and business, arts and culture, creative industries, sports and beyond. Ms Hung invited friends from the Philippines, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region and around the world to visit and experience Hong Kong’s unique vibrancy, diversity and charm as the events capital of Asia.
SJ inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, inspected the passing-out parade for 34 probationary inspectors and 165 recruit police constables at the Hong Kong Police College today (April 25), and witnessed their official transition from trainees to law enforcers, taking on the responsibility of serving and protecting society with utmost professionalism.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lam said that the rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success, with the Force as the first line of defence in upholding it. He said policing is not only about enforcing the law but, more importantly, about providing assurance to citizens and creating a safer society through its operations. The challenges in policing nowadays have become increasingly complex. Whether it is safeguarding national security, combating technology crimes, or managing large-scale events, police officers have to possess legal knowledge and be able to make the right decisions in dynamic environments. Upholding such professionalism is by no means easy.
He said that a harmonious and stable society is built upon mutual trust between the Police and the community. He expressed the hope that every graduate would carry out their duties in the future with fairness and impartiality, safeguarding the rule of law while attending to the needs of the public. He said he believed that as long as police officers adhere to their principles, while also being reasonable and compassionate, convincing others through sound reasoning and treating them with sincerity, they will earn the respect and support of citizens, thereby ensuring smoother law enforcement.
Mr Lam pointed out that Hong Kong is at the crucial stage of advancing from stability to prosperity. Despite the challenges ahead, he had full confidence in the graduates, who have undergone the most professional training and have shouldered the expectations of the community.
He said the graduates are the future of the Force and Hong Kong, and encouraged them to stay true to their original aspirations. They should uphold the rule of law and serve the people in the spirit of the Police motto “Serving Hong Kong with Honour, Duty and Loyalty”, and steadfastly contribute to safeguarding national security and ensuring the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.