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Good public order is essential for maintaining Hong Kong as an international financial centre, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, said today (September 26) when inspecting a passing-out parade of the Hong Kong Police College.
"For those coming here to do business or set up their companies, our crime rate is definitely an important factor in determining whether to continue their business in Hong Kong," he said.
"Our crime rate is lower than many other metropolitan cities. It reflects that Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world, which is attributable to the ceaseless efforts of our police officers to prevent and combat crimes every day."
He pointed out that with rapid changes in social environment and advances in technology, commercial and technology crimes had brought tough challenges to Police which had also devoted a large amount of resources to fighting such crimes with a view to maintaining a safe and stable business environment in Hong Kong.
In addition, Police attached great importance to financial investigation to combat local and transnational crimes.
"The Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, an inter-governmental organisation, highly praised our Police Force's commitment to combating money laundering, which has brought remarkably successful prosecutions.
"These achievements have fully demonstrated Police's contributions in maintaining Hong Kong as an international financial centre," Mr Chan said.
While the public had very high expectations of the performance and conduct of police officers, he was confident that the Police Force, supported by a pool of well-trained and professional officers who were highly self-motivated and devoted to work, would provide quality services to the community and were able to deal with the many challenges lying ahead.
He encouraged the graduates to uphold their integrity and honesty, and apply flexibly the knowledge and skills they had learnt to their work so as to contribute to the stability of our society.
A total of 21 probationary inspectors and 205 recruit constables passed out today.
Police Report No. 4
Ends/Saturday, September 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:30
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