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The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee, updated his counterparts at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and law enforcement agencies on the latest developments in Hong Kong, particularly the law and order situation, during his visit to Russia on November 15 (Moscow time).
Mr Lee met the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alexander Losukov; the Director of the Consular Department, Mr Vyacheslav Pavlovsky; the Director of the First Asian Department, Mr Konstantin Vnukov, and the First Deputy Director, Federal Agency for Drug Control, Mr Alexander Fyodorov.
During the meetings, Mr Lee told them that Hong Kong remained one of the world's safest cities whose overall crime rate was lower than many other cities.
He also looked forward to closer cooperation between Russia and Hong Kong in fighting cross-border crimes, including money laundering, terrorism and drug smuggling.
At meetings with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, both sides agreed that greater travel convenience for people from both places would enhance the economic, social and cultural ties between Russia and Hong Kong.
"Both sides are actively and constructively considering ways to facilitate travel convenience for people from both places," Mr Lee said.
Earlier on, Mr Lee told a group of Russian businessmen that Hong Kong had various schemes to attract talent to work and invest in Hong Kong.
He said the Government was reviewing the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme with a view to casting the net wider for quality migrants.
The scheme was being reviewed in the light of the implementation experience since it was introduced in June 2006 and the comments made by parties concerned.
In parallel, he added, the Government was stepping up publicity on various admission schemes and streamlining their application procedures.
Mr Lee said that since the reunification, more than 200,000 professionals and other qualified people had come to Hong Kong to work and reside through various admission schemes.
"The Government strongly believes that a larger pool of talent will increase Hong Kong's competitiveness, attract more capital and create more jobs.
"This new blood will turn Hong Kong into an even more vibrant economy," he said.
Mr Lee will continue with his visit in Moscow on November 16 before returning to Hong Kong on Sunday (November 18).
Ends/Friday, November 16, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:47
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