'Police Priority Is To Uphold National Security'

Police Commissioner Chris Tang has outlined safeguarding national security as the force’s top priority this year, saying officials will step up intelligence gathering to try to stamp out those threats.

Speaking at a press conference, Tang said the force’s national security hotline has received more than 40,000 messages since its introduction last November, adding that a lot of them contained “valuable information” that the force could follow up on.

He also revealed that almost 100 people have been arrested so far for suspected national security violations, with eight people charged.

Tang denied suggestions that the prosecution rate had been low, saying investigations are continuing for many of the cases.

He also dismissed suggestions that the police were trying to send a chilling effect by making mass arrests, saying pro-democracy figures who make such claims were acting in self-interest.

“Regarding what you call white terror, I cannot agree with you. In fact, this term has been abused by a lot of people. When they’re being arrested, they will make up excuses saying that this is a white terror. But as a matter of fact, we make arrests based on evidence and based on law," the police chief said.

"People try to make excuse to make themselves feel better, or maybe try to get away with their criminal liability, or may be try to fool the public.”

Tang added that authorities have invested a lot of resources into improving the force’s relationship with the public, saying the police have been a victim of constant smearing through the spread of fake news.

He stressed the force attaches utmost importance in the behaviour of its officers, saying 45 of them have been arrested last year for various offences. That’s up from 24 in 2019.

Tang added that he was very glad and honoured to receive the director of the central government's liaison office, Luo Huining, who visited the police headquarters in Wan Chai over the weekend.

He said Luo’s visit illustrated Beijing’s care and support for the Hong Kong police, and said the force will continue to do its best to maintain law and order in the SAR.