The concerted efforts of the ICAC’s three departments in combating corruption demonstrated locally and internationally the Commission’s undaunted determination to uphold the rule of law, said Mr Chow Chung-kong, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption (ACOC) which oversees the overall operation and policy matters of the anti-graft agency.

Reviewing the ACOC’s work earlier at a press conference, Mr Chow noted that having gained wide community support and global recognition, he was confident the ICAC would continue to discharge its duties independently in a fair and impartial manner.

In 2017, the ICAC received 2,835 corruption complaints, a slight drop of 2 per cent compared to 2,891 complaints received in 2016. Pursuable complaints increased by 7 per cent from 1,990 to 2,129.

Noting that the corruption situation in Hong Kong remained stable and was well under control in 2017, Mr Chow said the ICAC’s work was widely recognised by members of the public. According to the 2017 ICAC Annual Survey, 96.8% of respondents considered the anti-graft agency deserving their support.

Meanwhile, the international community thought highly of Hong Kong’s anti-corruption work as a number of notable surveys persistently rated Hong Kong as one of the cleanest cities globally.

To further promote international cooperation in the anti-graft cause, the ICAC has set up a dedicated unit to assist other States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, including most of the Belt and Road countries, in system and capacity building to fight corruption.

Joining Mr Chow at the press conference were Miss Maria Tam Wai-chu (2nd left), then Chairman of the Operations Review Committee (ORC); Mr Albert Au Siu-cheung (1st left), then Chairman of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee (CPAC); and Professor Timothy Tong Wai-cheung (1st right), Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations (CACCR).

Learn more More about work of ICAC’s advisory committees Press conference by advisory committee chairmen

To further promote international cooperation in the anti-corruption cause, the ICAC has recently set up a dedicated unit to assist States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), including most of the Belt and Road (B&R) countries, in system and capacity building to fight corruption.

The ICAC has been designated by the Central People's Government as the agency to assist other signatories to the UNCAC, of which about one third are B&R countries, in developing and implementing corruption prevention measures. Obligation aside, by sharing our enforcement and preventive education experience, we hope to enhance the capabilities of those countries which are offering development and business opportunities.

The Commission's newly established dedicated unit will provide tailor-made training and consultancy services to governments and anti-corruption agencies in these countries upon request, with a view to helping them build a clean and fair business environment. Watch this space for more updates!