The Symposium on Police Studies of the Strait cum Hong Kong and Macao successfully concluded at the Multi-purpose Hall in Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, on October 30. About 130 delegates attended the two-day symposium.

Featuring the theme of "Police Studies and Practice of the New Century", the symposium covered "policing and enforcement against illegal Internet activities", "quality and management of law enforcement agencies" and "general police studies and researches on policing related issues".

More than 160 academic papers have been received for the symposium. After evaluation by a judging panel comprising representatives from the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, 58 of the papers were accepted for the symposium proceedings, 25 of which were studied at five plenary sessions.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the symposium, the Vice-president of the Police Association of China (PAC), Mr Sun Mingshan, pointed out that the event had achieved its intended objectives, and underscored the following features:

Close co-operation

The tremendous amount of preparation work undertaken by the police forces in the four places, particularly the Hong Kong Police, for the symposium attested to the communication, exchange and co-operation among the four places, and laid a foundation for extending exchange and co-operation to other areas.

Clear study theme

The theme of "Police Studies and Practice of the New Century" had rightly placed emphasis on studies of police co-operation, combating and preventing crime as well as enhancement of police structure. Compared with last year, this year's academic papers were more exhaustive and practical on research subjects.

Wide perspective and convincing proof

In preparing the academic papers, the authors had explored popular police topics and looked up a considerable amount of records, documents and research papers, thus enriching the contents of their presentations.

Lively illustration

The authors had produced lively charts and diagrams for their papers for delegates' easy reference.

Lastly, Mr Sun attributed the success of the symposium to the joint efforts by the police officers, experts and academics from across the Strait and in Hong Kong and Macao, as well as the Hong Kong Police's "outstanding work" and "services to every detail".

The symposium, which the Force assisted in organising at the invitation of the PAC, opened on October 29.

Officiating at the opening ceremony were the President of PAC, Mr Tian Qiyu; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Wang Fengchao; Director of Department of Exchange, Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Dai Xiaofeng; Deputy Director General of Department of Law, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Li Guangxiang; Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee; Honorary Chairman of Taiwan Criminal Investigation and Prevention Association, Mr Lu Yu-jun; Secretary for Security, Macao SARG, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, and Commissioner Tang King-shing.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tian said that shortly after coming into being, the PAC proposed organising a symposium for police officers and police associations on both sides of the Strait, Hong Kong and Macao to share achievements in policing research and information on trans-boundary crimes, to explore the problems all are facing, and to promote co-operation to build a steadily progressive relationship.

"The proposal was well received by the people of the four places. The first Symposium on Police Studies of the Strait cum Hong Kong and Macao was successfully held in Shanghai last year. They found the symposium a very good platform for interactions and exchanges.

"In response to such enthusiasm, the symposium was organised again this year, with the theme of .Police Studies and Practice of the New Century', and police officers, experts and academics of the four places were invited to meet in Hong Kong to share and exchange their views.

"To strengthen exchanges and co-operation with the experts, academics, police officers and police associations from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao is the common wish of the people of all four places. Since its establishment, the PAC has placed great emphasis on this task," he added.

More frequent trans-boundary visits

The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee said at the opening ceremony that trans-boundary visits became more frequent among the people on both sides of the Strait, Hong Kong and Macao after the reunification of Hong Kong with the Mainland, inevitably providing more opportunities for trans-boundary crimes.

"I deeply believe that only through close co-operation among international and inter-regional law enforcement agencies could trans-boundary crimes be effectively combated," he noted.

"This Symposium on Police Studies of the Strait cum Hong Kong and Macao held by the PAC provides an effective platform for experts, academics and law enforcement agencies from the four places to exchange their views and promote co-operation," Mr Lee added.

On the same occasion, Commissioner, Tang King-shing said policing work was getting more complex and varied today. To enhance enforcement efficiency, it was of vital importance that equal emphasis was placed on both policing theories and practices. This was in fact an inexorable trend of modern policing throughout the world.

"As we all see, the whole world is undergoing rapid development, and the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement officers need to be further enhanced and enforcement agencies of various jurisdictions also have to make continuous improvement themselves in response to the fast-changing social environment.

"I confidently believe that by way of studies and researches on policing management, they would certainly be able to achieve this and continue to provide the community with quality policing services," he added.

Mr Tang also stressed the importance of co-operation among the law enforcement agencies of various jurisdictions.

"Modes of criminality were constantly evolving with the rapid advancement in technology, and the traditional 'boundary' concept can no longer be followed in the face of the increase in trans-boundary crimes.

"The Hong Kong Police Force has all along been in close liaison with law enforcement agencies of other jurisdictions and particular importance is attached to exchanging and co-operating with our counterparts in the neighbouring regions.

"It is a fact that the social environments in the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao are quite different, but since we are all of the same Chinese cultural origin, there would surely be considerable issues and experiences for our sharing and exchange," Mr Tang noted.

Commissioner Tang King-shing also speaks at the opening ceremony