Times change, but the mission continues

The ICAC stands firm with unwavering determination

“Times change. The mission continues”. The ICAC welcomed 2019 by unveiling its latest advertisement tagline, renewing the Commission’s pledge to the public as it moves forward to the 45th year of anti-graft mission.

At a press conference hosted last month by chairmen of the four advisory committees monitoring various aspects of the ICAC’s work, Mr Chow Chung-kong, then Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption (ACOC), said the new tagline was testimony of the ICAC’s unwavering determination to keep Hong Kong corruption-free.

“We are pleased to see that the ICAC has been gaining wide recognition and support both locally and internationally,” said Mr Chow.

According to the 2018 ICAC Annual Survey, 97% of respondents considered the ICAC deserving their support. Hong Kong’s ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index of the Transparency International rose to the 13th in 2017 from the 18th in 2015.

“The ICAC has made notable progress in international liaison work in 2018 as so far, the Commission has explored collaboration with 13 Belt and Road countries. Of them, seven have already been provided with training proposals,” said Mr Chow, adding that ICAC officers also travelled to Cambodia and Myanmar in November to provide training to officers of the local anti-corruption authorities.

Mr Chow said to mark its 45th anniversary, the ICAC would launch a series of activities and initiatives in 2019. One of the highlights would be the 7th ICAC Symposium co-organised by the ICAC and the World Justice Project in May. Immediately after the symposium there would be an international training programme jointly hosted by the ICAC and the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities.

“The ACOC will continue to perform its monitoring role and ensure that the ICAC will fulfil its duties with utmost professionalism in the years ahead to keep Hong Kong corruption-free, and share with the international community its experience in combating graft,” Mr Chow added.

Joining Mr Chow at the annual press conference were Mr Benjamin Tang Kwok-bun, Chairman of the Operations Review Committee; Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man, Chairman of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee; and Professor Timothy Tong Wai-cheung, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations.