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Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, at a media session at Central Government Offices, Tamar, after the Fight Crime Committee meeting this afternoon (February 5):
Reporter: Basically, parallel trading activities have been on the rise in recent years but also created a new problem that recently people are posting messages on the Internet inciting people to set fire to parallel trading goods. How concerned are you about the situation and what can the authorities do?
Secretary for Security: Any person who uses unlawful means to express his views is forbidden. The example you cited is a very serious criminal offence. The Police take a very serious view on this kind of attempts and offences. As we all know, the Police have arrested three suspects and they have already been charged and brought before the Court. The Police will spare no efforts to investigate all these crimes including those who incite others to commit this kind of offences. As we all know, setting fire will or may cause serious damage, not only to property belonging to others but also may cause loss of human life or serious injuries. Therefore, I urge all our fellow Hong Kong residents to report any such crime or whatever information they have to the Police, and the Police will put all efforts to investigate and bring all those who commit this kind of offences to the Court.
Reporter: In the meantime, patrols will be stepped up to prevent or deter such an offence?
Secretary for Security: Yes. Precautionary actions are being stepped up and hence you know that in one of the cases the Police intercepted two suspects when they started taking action to set fire.
Reporter: May I asked for your quick response to concerns raised by the Magistrate in Fanling Court about the problem arising from parallel trading. What will the Police and Customs officers be doing in the run up and during the Chinese New Year?
Secretary for Security: Special operations will be mounted at appropriate targets with the support of enhanced intelligence. As we all know, with the Chinese New Year approaching, this has been the peak season for those parallel traders who will take excessive formula powder across the boundary. We will spare no efforts and ensure that all those offences will be detected and brought to justice. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, February 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:02
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