Around 300 ICAC officers and guests today (December 16) demonstrated their perseverance and determination in the ICAC’s “Fighting Corruption: The Mission Continues” Kick-off Run at the Peak, raising the curtain for the Commission’s 50th anniversary celebration next year.

ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming, Deputy Commissioner cum Head of Operations Ricky Yau Shu-chun, together with other directorates and ICAC advisory committees’ members opened the event by lighting the anti-corruption torch, which symbolised the passing on of the anti-corruption cause across the city and marked the commencement of a series of 50th anniversary activities in the coming year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Woo encouraged all runners to strive for their best and uphold the unwavering spirit of the ICAC in fighting corruption in the past 50 years. “In the past five decades the ICAC encountered many challenges on the anti-corruption journey. However, with the concerted effort of the government, members of the public and the ICAC, our anti-corruption work never paused. Hong Kong has eventually emerged as a corruption-free city, a place where people can enjoy peace and stability,” said Woo.

Woo noted that ICAC officers would remain steadfast in their mission and give zero tolerance for corruption, a crime which they would continue to fight without fear or favour. The Commission would consolidate its anti-corruption experience in the past 50 years, foster international cooperation and training, and collaborate with anti-corruption agencies in other places to elevate the ICAC’s graft-fighting work to another step.

Apart from the ICAC Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, other guests ringing the starting signal for the Kick-off Run included Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok SC; Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee; Director of Administration Millie Ng Kiang Mei-nei; Chairman of the ICAC’s Advisory Committee on Corruption Martin Liao Cheung-kong; member of the Operations Review Committee Dr Aron Hari Harilela; member of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee Doreen Kong Yuk-foon and member of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations Dr Rocky Tung Yat-ngok.

The approximately 3.5 kilometers Kick-off Run took place at The Peak, starting from Peak Road Garden, through Harlech Road and Lugard Road, and finishing at Peak Road Garden. About 300 participants joined the event, including ICAC officers, their families and friends; members of ICAC’s youth and volunteer organisations, as well as officers of the Correctional Services Department, the Customs and Excise Department, the Fire Services Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department.

To commemorate the ICAC’s 50th anniversary, the Commission will organise various activities for the public in the coming year, including a virtual walk in January and a large-scale running gala in February. On the international front, the Commission will co-host the 8th ICAC Symposium with the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities from May 22-24 next year. The conference is now open for registration: www.icac.org.hk/symposium/2024/en/index.html