Statistics on Code on Access to Information for second quarter of 2025 announced
********************************************************************************
The total number of requests received since the introduction of the Code in March 1995 and up to the end of June 2025 amounted to 262 689. This includes the applications for Notice of Application for Access to Information in relation to the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) received by the Immigration Department. Of these, 14 333 requests were subsequently withdrawn by the requestors and 6 871 requests covered cases in which the bureaux/departments concerned did not hold the requested information or cannot confirm or deny the existence of information. As at June 30, 2025, 1 117 requests were still being processed by bureaux/departments.
Among the 240 368 requests which covered information held by bureaux/departments and which the bureaux/departments had responded to, 236 894 requests (98.6 per cent) were met, either in full (233 684 requests) or in part (3 210 requests), and 3 474 requests (1.4 per cent) were refused.
Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with the response of a bureau/department under the Code may request that the matter be reviewed. He or she may also lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.
In the second quarter of 2025, the Ombudsman received 11 complaints relating to requests for information. In this quarter, the Ombudsman concluded 10 complaints and all of them were closed after assessment. As at June 30, 2025, two complaints remained under investigation.
"The Code has provided an effective framework for the public to seek access to information held by the Government," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:53
Issued at HKT 18:53
NNNN