ICAC chief shares anti-graft experience with Mainland officials in Shanghai
2010-6-14
ICAC Commissioner Dr Timothy Tong Hin-ming shared Hong Kong’s anti-corruption experience with Mainland officials at the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong (CELAP), a national training institute for senior officials.
Upon CELAP’s invitation, Dr Tong gave a lecture on Thursday (June 10) to some 150 middle to senior ranking officials from a number of Mainland provinces and cities on the latest international trends of anti-corruption strategies and Hong Kong’s graft combating regime, approach and experience.
He also officiated at the graduation ceremony yesterday (June 13) for the 10th National Affairs Study Programme organised by the Academy for Hong Kong’s disciplinary forces.
At the training course for senior officials, Dr Tong briefed participants on three principal international anti-bribery agreements currently in force, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
The Commissioner highlighted that UNCAC provided a holistic and comprehensive framework for fighting cross boundary corruption, laying a solid foundation for signatory states to develop domestic anti graft measures as well as enhancing international coope ration.
The UNCAC was ratified by the Mainland and extended to Hong Kong. Dr Tong said that Hong Kong’s anti corruption regime featured the key measures recommended in the Convention. For example, in Hong Kong, the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance criminalises corruption in both public and private sectors, being enforced by a dedicated anti graft agency.
The Commissioner added that as criminals tried to hide their corrupt proceeds to avoid detection by the law enforcement agencies, recovery of ill-gotten proceeds was crucial in the battle against graft. He cited a recent cross-boundary case in which the ICAC had successfully restrained the illicit proceeds of a corrupt official of another jurisdiction, which amounted to hundreds of millions dollars. Most of the money recovered had been returned to the government concerned through judicial procedures.
During their discussions on factors critical to the success in fighting corruption, the Commissioner stressed the importance of enacting effective legislation, establishing anti-graft authorities and setting anti-corruption objectives and strategy. The i mplications of the civil service structure and economic development on anti corruption work were also explored.
Addressing officers from the ICAC, Police Force, Customs and Excise Department, and Immigration Department who graduated from the 10h Hong Kong Disciplined Services National Affairs Study Programme yesterday, the Commissioner encouraged them to enhance th eir understanding of the Mainland’s latest developments and establish rapport with their Mainland counterparts.
It would be conducive to the control of cross-boundary crime and facilitate social order and economic development of both places, the Commissioner said.
During his official visit in Shanghai, Dr Tong also met with CELAP Vice President, Mr Wang Jinding and Director General of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security, Mr Zhang Xuebing to exchange work experience. He also visited the Shanghai Expo and w as briefed on the planning and the implementation of project.
CELAP is a Shanghai-based national institution for training senior officials from the government, military forces, professional sectors and enterprises.
Upon CELAP’s invitation, Dr Tong gave a lecture on Thursday (June 10) to some 150 middle to senior ranking officials from a number of Mainland provinces and cities on the latest international trends of anti-corruption strategies and Hong Kong’s graft combating regime, approach and experience.
He also officiated at the graduation ceremony yesterday (June 13) for the 10th National Affairs Study Programme organised by the Academy for Hong Kong’s disciplinary forces.
At the training course for senior officials, Dr Tong briefed participants on three principal international anti-bribery agreements currently in force, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
The Commissioner highlighted that UNCAC provided a holistic and comprehensive framework for fighting cross boundary corruption, laying a solid foundation for signatory states to develop domestic anti graft measures as well as enhancing international coope ration.
The UNCAC was ratified by the Mainland and extended to Hong Kong. Dr Tong said that Hong Kong’s anti corruption regime featured the key measures recommended in the Convention. For example, in Hong Kong, the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance criminalises corruption in both public and private sectors, being enforced by a dedicated anti graft agency.
The Commissioner added that as criminals tried to hide their corrupt proceeds to avoid detection by the law enforcement agencies, recovery of ill-gotten proceeds was crucial in the battle against graft. He cited a recent cross-boundary case in which the ICAC had successfully restrained the illicit proceeds of a corrupt official of another jurisdiction, which amounted to hundreds of millions dollars. Most of the money recovered had been returned to the government concerned through judicial procedures.
During their discussions on factors critical to the success in fighting corruption, the Commissioner stressed the importance of enacting effective legislation, establishing anti-graft authorities and setting anti-corruption objectives and strategy. The i mplications of the civil service structure and economic development on anti corruption work were also explored.
Addressing officers from the ICAC, Police Force, Customs and Excise Department, and Immigration Department who graduated from the 10h Hong Kong Disciplined Services National Affairs Study Programme yesterday, the Commissioner encouraged them to enhance th eir understanding of the Mainland’s latest developments and establish rapport with their Mainland counterparts.
It would be conducive to the control of cross-boundary crime and facilitate social order and economic development of both places, the Commissioner said.
During his official visit in Shanghai, Dr Tong also met with CELAP Vice President, Mr Wang Jinding and Director General of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security, Mr Zhang Xuebing to exchange work experience. He also visited the Shanghai Expo and w as briefed on the planning and the implementation of project.
CELAP is a Shanghai-based national institution for training senior officials from the government, military forces, professional sectors and enterprises.