Latest news with #ChrisTang
RTHK
7 hours ago
- Business
- RTHK
Security risks put paid to communications tender
Security risks put paid to communications tender Chris Tang says tendering can still be adopted to procure items that don't have any national security implications. Photo: RTHK Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on Tuesday the government has decided to skip the tendering process in procuring a next-generation communications system for the police force after taking into consideration national security risks. The force began parallel tendering to select a service provider to upgrade its communication system with 5G capabilities two years ago. However, the open tender process has since been abandoned, with the force citing geopolitical risks affecting supply chains and concerns over information security. According to papers submitted to Legco, authorities said they opted to directly approach a "reliable" service provider of their choice. In a Legislative Council security panel meeting, Tang said the decision on next-generation communications does not mean that all police procurements will skip the tendering process. 'We believe national security considerations are necessary but they do not mean every procurement exercise has to place them as our top priority,' he said. 'For example, we would also have to procure stationery and other products. So as long as they don't have any national security implications, we believe we should still adopt the conventional method of putting procurements up for tender.' The project's estimated cost has also substantially reduced to HK$2 billion, a more than 60 percent decrease compared to the original estimate of HK$5.2 billion. Tang assured lawmakers that this would not affect the system's functionality. 'We have already enhanced the design," he said. "For example, initially we were supposed to have two sets of hardware, and now we can have one with built-in firewalls. "All these have been adopted without affecting our operational efficiency. Therefore it's now cheaper and still equally efficient.' The proposed system also adopts a hybrid model, whereby the government will build and operate the core network and base stations, which will be complemented by commercial services for broader coverage and cost-effectiveness. Tang said the police will have priority in using the 5G network in congested areas, such as during fireworks shows. Annual expenditure for the proposed system will be about HK$40 million higher than current costs, but Tang stressed the higher expenditure incurred in upgrading the system is necessary to enhance efficiency. Lawmakers agreed to allow the proposal to proceed to the finance committee stage this month.
HKFP
a day ago
- Politics
- HKFP
Hong Kong police mull access to gov't departments, MTR surveillance feeds, reports say
Hong Kong police may gain access to surveillance footage from government departments and the railway operator, which would be included in its 'SmartView' CCTV programme, according to media reports. The police force is considering gaining access to video surveillance feeds from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Transport Department, and the Housing Department, as well as the MTR Corporation (MTRC) within the year, local media reported, citing unnamed sources. The SmartView programme is an initiative, implemented by the police in collaboration with government departments, to install closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) in public places with high crime rates and pedestrian flow to prevent and help fight crime. In a response to enquiries from local media, including Ming Pao newspaper, the MTRC said that it would comply with the orders to hand over footage to the police for law enforcement purposes and 'to maintain public safety of the railway network.' In the case of any changes from existing arrangements, the MTRC will conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment to ensure it complies with laws and regulations, it said. According to a 2013 report published by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, the city's privacy watchdog, the MTRC had 3,342 cameras in stations and 429 cameras fitted in 78 of its 347 trains. Local paper Sing Tao reported on Sunday that police officers with inspector-level authorisation would have direct access to government departments' and the MTRC's surveillance footage for investigation purposes. The police are also mulling the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify suspects, with a source comparing such a policy to the UK's use of facial recognition software. HKFP has reached out to the rail operator, the police, and the government departments for comment. 7,000 cameras by 2027 The push for surveillance access comes amid a broader police drive to install up to 7,000 surveillance cameras citywide by 2027. Having installed more than 600 cameras last year, the force aims to install a total of 1,385 by the end of 2025. Secretary for Security Chris Tang said in July last year that the government planned to introduce AI-powered facial identification software in the thousands of new cameras the police were setting up. With those new cameras and the ones under the three government departments, the police would have access to 20,000 more surveillance feeds by the end of the year, the force told local media. Last month, the police began a separate trial project using Transport Department surveillance footage to tackle illegal parking and other traffic violations at four intersections in Central and Causeway Bay.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Passenger arrested in Hong Kong for alleged theft on flight from Indonesia
Hong Kong police have arrested a passenger for allegedly stealing cash and jewellery from two backpacks on a flight from Indonesia, as authorities continue their efforts to combat a persistent rise in cabin-related crimes. Advertisement Airport police said on Saturday that two passengers the previous day had reported that cash and jewellery had gone missing from backpacks stored in overhead compartments. Authorities said a 35-year-old mainland Chinese man was arrested on suspicion of theft following preliminary investigations. He remained in police custody pending further investigation. The arrest came amid a growing number of theft cases reported on board flights to Hong Kong over the past two years. Advertisement Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung previously said Hong Kong recorded 169 cases of in-flight thefts involving HK$4.32 million worth of valuables in the first 10 months of 2024. That surpassed the annual numbers reported during the years of peak tourism in 2018 and 2019, in which 103 and 147 cases were reported, respectively.
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Study Buddy (Explorer): Hong Kong police to use drone patrols in urban areas
Content provided by British Council Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below: [1] Hong Kong police will introduce drone patrols in urban areas in the second half of the year, the South China Morning Post has learned. A source revealed the drones would patrol areas with a concentration of old tenement buildings, such as Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po districts in Kowloon. [2] 'One purpose will be to tackle burglaries that target buildings covered with scaffolding,' the insider said. 'Patrols will be launched in areas with more tenement buildings. Renovating ageing buildings requires the use of scaffolding, and that is an easy spot for burglars.' The source added that the force would also carry out trials of drone patrols at the city's border police district in the northern New Territories for security purposes. [3] Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung told lawmakers last December that police would use drones for patrols if regulations allowed. The patrols would take place on set routes planned ahead of operations to avoid residential areas. During the meeting, Tang said police drones would feature flashing red and blue lights to 'show that they are on a mission' and display reflective labels or symbols for identification. [4] The source said the drones were expected to fly around tenement buildings to monitor them for any suspicious people climbing scaffolding. The insider explained that officers watching the drone footage could recognise authorised repair works and remain in contact with the owners of buildings undergoing renovation work. If they saw people climbing the scaffolding, they would be able to clarify the situation. [5] The source added that the urban drone patrol operations would comply with the city's privacy laws. The force has been using drones to broadcast messages in Sheung Sze Wan in Sai Kung and residential areas in Clear Water Bay, asking residents to remain vigilant against burglaries and report any suspicious activity in nearby bushland and forests, since July of last year. The messages are broadcast in Cantonese, English and Bahasa Indonesia. [6] Police have also been using drones to detect suspicious people hiding in rough terrain at remote sites, and to monitor crowds and traffic flows at busy large-scale events. A separate source said drones had already been deployed in seasonal anti-burglary patrols in some rural areas in the city. [7] There were 1,220 burglary cases last year, a drop of 9.9 per cent from 1,354 cases in 2023 and the second-lowest figure since records began in 1969. The force also said the burglary case detection rate last year was 38 per cent, the second-highest since records began in 1977. Source: South China Morning Post, April 29 Questions 1. In paragraph 1, the drones will be used to patrol … A. newly developed residential areas. B. primary and secondary schools. C. areas with many tenement buildings. D. parks and recreational areas. 2. Based on your understanding of paragraph 2, why do burglars target ageing buildings undergoing renovations? 3. What is the purpose of the flashing red and blue lights on the drones, according to paragraph 3? 4. According to paragraph 4, … will watch the video taken by the drones. A. residents B. officers C. building maintenance workers D. volunteers 5. How many drones will be used, according to paragraph 4? A. two B. nine C. 20 D. information not given 6. What has the police force been using drones for since last July, according to paragraph 5? 7. Find a word in paragraph 5 that means 'to be very careful and keep an eye out for any signs of danger or trouble'. 8. Decide whether the following statements, according to paragraphs 6 and 7, are True, False or the information is Not Given. Fill in ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks) (i) Drones are a new technology that the Hong Kong Police Force is trying out for the first time. (ii) The police have caught at least five suspicious people with the help of drones. (iii) Hong Kong police began recording burglaries in 1969. (iv) The number of burglaries increased significantly last year compared to the year before. 9. In paragraph 7, what was the detection rate for burglary cases last year? A. 9.9 per cent B. 38 per cent C. 1,220 D. 1,977 The city's police force is planning to use drones to patrol certain neighbourhoods to catch burglars. Photo: May Tse Answers 1. C 2. because building renovation work requires scaffolding, which is an easy way for burglars to access the buildings (accept all similar answers) 3. to show 'that they are on a mission' 4. B 5. D 6. to broadcast messages to residents 7. vigilant 8. (i) F; (ii) NG; (iii) T; (iv) F 9. B
HKFP
15-05-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Taking photos of ‘prohibited' sites illegal under Article 23 only if criminal intent involved, Hong Kong security chief says
Hong Kong's security minister Chris Tang has said that taking photos of sites designated as 'prohibited places' is illegal under the city's security legislation only if there is 'a criminal intent.' Tang's remark at a Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting on Thursday was in response to lawmaker Kitson Yang, who asked whether it would be unlawful to take a photo of the prohibited sites. 'I believe that if you just walk past and take a photo at the door, you wouldn't have criminal intent,' Tang said. On Tuesday, the government enacted new subsidiary laws under the city's homegrown security law, also known as Article 23, including designating six sites linked to the Office for Safeguarding National Security (OSNS), Beijing's national security office in Hong Kong, as 'prohibited places' and drawing up related offences. The six sites are: the Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay, the City Garden Hotel in North Point, the Island Pacific Hotel in Sai Wan, the Metropark Hotel Hung Hom, and two locations along Hoi Fan Road in Tai Kok Tsui. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tang said: 'If an ordinary citizen takes a photo, I don't see the problem with that. But if you are stationed there for an extended period of time, watching the people coming in and out, looking at the windows with a long lens, that might invite suspicions as to whether you are monitoring their work.' Depending on the situation, police at the sites may have to ask people to leave, he added. The LegCo meeting was held just hours after the legislature decided to form a subcommittee to oversee updates to the security law, appointing the same roster of lawmakers who oversaw the passage of Article 23 last year. The updates to the legislation were enacted through a 'negative vetting' procedure, allowing them to be first published in the gazette before being formally brought to the legislature for scrutiny. At the same meeting on Thursday, lawmaker Gary Chan, deputy chair of the subcommittee, asked Secretary of Justice Paul Lam how authorities would handle people who inadvertently trespassed, for example, if they were looking for a coin that they had dropped. The prohibited sites are guarded by police officers empowered by the security law to ask anyone who has inadvertently trespassed to leave immediately, Lam replied. 'But if you refuse to leave after you've been told to, then of course, we would have a problem,' he added. Addresses of the prohibited areas are 'clearly indicated' with coordinates in the subsidiary legislation, and notices are posted around the premises to ensure public awareness, the Security Bureau told HKFP in an emailed statement. According to Article 23, espionage activities involving prohibited places, including inspections in person or via electronic devices, carry a maximum jail sentence of 20 years. Meanwhile, entering prohibited places without lawful authority, disobeying orders made by police or guards of the prohibited places, and obstructing their duties are punishable by up to two years behind bars. Separate to the 2020 Beijing-enacted security law, the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of up to 16 days, and suspects' access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city's opposition-free legislature. The law has been criticised by rights NGOs, Western states and the UN as vague, broad and 'regressive.' Authorities, however, cited perceived foreign interference and a constitutional duty to 'close loopholes' after the 2019 protests and unrest.
