Hong Kong to step up counterterrorism efforts as ‘lone wolf’ attacks create new challenge

Hong Kong will step up its counterterrorism efforts under a new mechanism led by the chief executive, with seven working groups involving various government departments set to be established.

Police Senior Superintendent Peter Leung Wai-ki of the Interdepartmental Counterterrorism Unit said efforts to combat and prevent terrorism needed strengthening.

“While local terrorism remains a threat, Hong Kong, as an international city, is also affected by international terrorist activities and geopolitics,” he said.

“Therefore, there’s a need to boost our overall counterterrorism work, especially in prevention.”

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will lead a steering group under the three-tier mechanism first announced in the policy address in October. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung will head a coordinating group in the second tier to facilitate cooperation among the various departments beyond the disciplined services.

The groups, to be led by the disciplined services, will cover intelligence, public education, information security, critical infrastructure, import and export of goods, immigration control and legislation.