*************************************

Institutions protecting the rights, safety and security of Hong Kong citizens will continue to gain in strength during the coming year.

Delivering his 1998 Policy Address today (Wednesday), Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said the rule of law and maintenance of order were indispensable foundations of Hong Kong's success.

To help Hong Kong remain one of the world's most crime-free cities, the Police Force and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) would continue to upgrade their services, Mr Tung said.

The legal system, which acted as a bulwark of equality and justice, would be enhanced and rights of individuals maintained.

The Prosecutions Division of the Department of Justice would be strengthened to improve the ability to conduct criminal cases which go to the Court of Final Appeal.

Police services would be upgraded through enhanced use of information technology and the deployment of more front-line officers in newly developed areas such as Ma On Shan and Tseung Kwan O.

The ICAC would set up two new sections in 1999. These would enhance its ability to seize and use electronic data as evidence in courts, and to handle the increasingly complex financial aspects of corruption cases.

On individual rights, Mr Tung said a report was recently submitted to the United Nations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Further reports would be submitted during the year on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

Mr Tung said the Government was committed to developing Hong Kong's democratic institutions in line with the Basic Law.

He said Hong Kong needed a model which promoted stability and prosperity and was in line with the ultimate aim of having a Legislative Council and a Chief Executive elected by universal suffrage.

The Government would seek the views of the Legislature and respect its powers as enshrined in the Basic Law, he said, nurturing a relationship based on mutual trust and respect, with the long-term benefit of the people of Hong Kong as the goal.

End/Wednesday, October 7, 1998

NNNN