Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the opening ceremony of 15th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference today (September 23):

Honourable Prosecutor General Ying Yong (Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate), Attorneys General, Prosecutors General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to address you today, at the opening ceremony of the 15th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference. This 15th edition marks the first time the Conference is held in Hong Kong. And I'm delighted to welcome each and every one of you, to the world city of Hong Kong.

     My thanks to the Central People's Government for organising the Conference, and for supporting Hong Kong in hosting it. 

     I am grateful to the high-profile officials, from ASEAN, the Mainland, Macao and Hong Kong, for participating in this year's Conference. And my thanks to you all for your invaluable contributions and support. 

     ASEAN and China, our country, enjoy cultural affinity, geographical proximity and closely entwined interests. We have a long history of co-operation, exchanges between us spanning thousands of years, from the maritime Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative. 

     The China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations was established in 1991. Five years later, China acquired full Dialogue Partner status with ASEAN. In 2003, the relationship was elevated with the establishment of a Strategic Partnership, which grew into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021. 

     We are good neighbours, good friends and good partners. Underpinning our thriving friendship is a comprehensive, multi-faceted partnership, covering political-security co-operation, economic and trading relations, socio-cultural co-operation and much more. 

     These strong ties are visible here in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. ASEAN, for 15 years in a row, has been Hong Kong's second-largest merchandise trading partner. ASEAN is Hong Kong's third-largest outward investment destination, and sixth-largest source of inward direct investment.

     The China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference is a key aspect of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

     Since its establishment in 2004, the Conference has enabled high-level discussions and exchanges among procuratorial organs and prosecutorial authorities of China and ASEAN member states on issues of common interest. These include transnational human trafficking, drug trafficking, arms trafficking and digital fraud. 

     As many of you would know, China, our country has hosted the Conference three times. And this is the first time Hong Kong has been given the privilege of organising this essential annual gathering. That we can do so is thanks to the unique principle of "one country, two systems", which has been faithfully implemented in Hong Kong since 1997. 

     Under the principle, Hong Kong maintains its common law system, which resembles the legal regime in most global financial hubs, and is the only common law jurisdiction within China, our country. As the only bilingual common law jurisdiction where Chinese and English are both used in legal proceedings, our legal system connects people of varying backgrounds and cultures. 

     No less important, our judiciary exercises its powers independently, vested with the power of final adjudication. Our Department of Justice, headed by Secretary Paul Lam, controls criminal prosecutions, free from any interference. Our vibrant financial market is supported by robust institutional frameworks, and aligns with international regulatory standards. 

     In short, Hong Kong has the full capability, and necessary conditions, to uphold and maintain the rule of law, to act as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. 

     And we are committed to achieving that with all of you. I am confident that Hong Kong, given its unparalleled position, can contribute to the great partnership between China and ASEAN. 

     This year's Conference theme, "Combatting Money Laundering and Corruption, and Recovering Assets in the Technological Age", highlights the great need to tackle two perennial evils: money laundering and corruption. It also brings into sharp focus the challenges posed by technology's continuing advancement, in the detection and effective prosecution of commercial crime.
      
     Although technology has enabled crime to proliferate and transcend jurisdictional boundaries, the evil lies not in technology, but those who abuse it. Technology stimulates creativity and enhances the flow of information. When misused, however, new technologies make it easier for criminals to engage in unlawful activities. 

     The emergence of technological innovations such as cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence, and the prevalence of the Internet and social media, create a lot of merits and, at the same time, new and continuing challenges to law enforcement and prosecution. 

     Cryptocurrency exchanges and blockchain transactions used to hide identities, and the use of AI technology in deceptions, make crimes harder to detect and guard against. 

     These and other challenges to the rule of law must be blunted, at both the domestic and international levels. 

     And, ladies and gentlemen, let me say it here that while technology may have become an emerging accelerant for crime, it must also be our strongest shield. We will not retreat from innovation – we will master it, harness it, and turn its power back against those who seek to disrupt our community. 

     Our goal is clear: we will out-innovate so-called innovators of crime, and build a future where technology serves safety, not chaos. And it is imperative we turn our respective strengths into collective strengths, helping one another tackle the continuing challenges.

     As the saying goes, "In union, there is strength". Through this Conference, we will seek fresh breakthroughs, fostering collaborations that multiply rather than simply adding to our individual strengths. 

     I have every confidence that we will emerge more united and determined from this year's China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference, better connected and equipped to combat cross-jurisdictional commercial crime. 

     Like combatting crime, united efforts are paramount to tackling dangers posed by extreme weather conditions. As I'm speaking, a super typhoon is fast approaching Hong Kong, and could pose significant threats to the community. The weather will rapidly deteriorate with heavy winds and thunderstorms.

     We are no stranger to typhoons in this part of the globe. The HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government has made advance preparations extensively and stepped up preventive measures, with more and all emergency response teams in full readiness, and with the primary goal of ensuring the safety of all people in Hong Kong.

     Our Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre has already been activated yesterday (September 22), over 24 full hours earlier than usual, and is conducting real-time citywide monitoring, risk assessments and formulating response measures. As a precautionary measure, we have announced yesterday the suspension of classes in all our schools today and tomorrow. 

     We have also advanced the opening of temporary shelters across the territory, and they have been in full operation since an hour ago. While the typhoon is forecast to be hitting Hong Kong in the afternoon, this early opening of shelters in the morning will allow people ample time to make their preparations.

     For our airport, for visitors coming from overseas, flight operations will significantly reduce from this evening, with a lot of flights cancelled tomorrow to ensure aviation safety for all. The airport terminal building will, however, maintain operation round the clock, supporting and caring for any passenger who needs help. 

     As part of our advance preparation against flooding, the Government has completed inspections and clearance work at some 240 locations prone to flooding, with 200 emergency drainage services teams and pumping robots all ready for deployment. 

     While the forces of nature may test our resolve, let there be no doubt: the HKSAR Government is going all out and making preparations all round, with widened safety margins and heightened readiness. We shall brave the storms with resilience, determination and unity.

     For unity in combatting money laundry and corruption, the theme of today's Conference, Hong Kong believes in standing together, not in standing alone – in the belief that co-operation, collaboration and shared purpose are what see us through the fiercest of conditions. That spirit is what has brought us here today: a commitment to join hands, strengthen ties, and build a future that no storm can shake.

     I would like to end by thanking again the Central Government for its support to Hong Kong in holding this remarkable Conference. I also wish to thank our Department of Justice, which has made extensive preparations for this event to ensure the best, and safest, of your experience here in Hong Kong.

     I wish you all a rewarding Conference and an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.

Ends/Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Issued at HKT 10:18

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