Newly appointed ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming is no stranger to law and order. Having worked in law enforcement for more than 33 years, the former chief of Correctional Services is also known for his fierce determination and constant strive for excellence.
“The next five years will be crucial for Hong Kong and the Commission’s anti-graft work will continue to be instrumental in maintaining prosperity and stability. By seeking breakthroughs and leveraging technological advancement, I hope to take the ICAC to new heights,” Woo told the ICAC Post.
Woo said he was deeply aware of the solid foundation the anti-graft agency had established and the achievements accomplished both locally and in the international arena, but there was no room for complacency.
“As Hong Kong is starting a new chapter and striving to further enhance the competitiveness of various sectors, the ICAC must continue to stay vigilant against unscrupulous individuals who may resort to corrupt means to endanger national security. The rule of law and social stability have always been the cornerstone of Hong Kong. The implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong would help advance our anti-corruption work and enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness,” Woo said.
He noted that while it was important for the administration to streamline procedures and further enhance efficiency, transparency and supervisory accountability, the ICAC would continue to work in collaboration with government departments to tailor-make control measures and sufficient checks and balances.
Echoing President Xi Jinping’s speech delivered on July 1 this year in which the President stated that “Hong Kong will prosper only when young people thrive”, the new ICAC chief said the Commission had always attached great importance to nurturing young people as they hold the key to future. To communicate the probity message more effectively to the young generations, Woo said the ICAC would make extensive and innovative use of the new media, online platforms and social media.
Beyond Hong Kong, Woo looks forward to building a closer relationship with other anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) and meeting overseas counterparts in person as the pandemic situation eases.
As a forerunner in fighting corruption with close to 50 years anti-graft experience, the ICAC always stands ready to share and connect with other ACAs. Just last month, Woo spoke at the high-level panel discussion “Regional Anti-Corruption Conference for Law Enforcement Professionals in Southeast Asia” organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The ICAC chief shared with the audience the factors contributing to the success of Hong Kong’s graft fight as well as how international cooperation could be further enhanced in fighting corruption.
In addition, Woo said the Commission would continue to send reassurance to foreign countries that the probity culture and rule of law in Hong Kong remained sound. In spite of groundless criticisms by some western countries, Hong Kong has remained one of the most competitive cities in the world. According to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2022 published by the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, Hong Kong is ranked the 5th most competitive among 63 economies surveyed, moving up two places from last year’s 7th.
The ICAC will continue to assist ACAs to develop their capability to tackle corruption, taking into consideration their cultural, political and legal differences. Since 2017, the ICAC has connected with over 60 ACAs of the Belt and Road countries for capacity building collaboration, and conducted around 40 training programmes for over 1,100 graft fighters from fellow ACAs.
Woo noted that one of the “four hopes” laid down by President Xi was for Hong Kong to actively integrate with the Mainland for development opportunities. As part of the efforts to integrate the agency into the nation’s development plan, the ICAC will maintain close liaison with the Mainland, especially in promoting a clean culture in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area). The ICAC has joined hands with the Guangdong Provincial Commission of Supervision and Commission Against Corruption of Macao to establish a high-level exchange platform to share views on collaboration on various fronts, including combatting cross-boundary corruption, promoting probity culture and organising capacity building programmes for the members of the ACAs.
Given that Qianhai is a pilot project of the ICAC’s cooperation in building a clean administration in the Greater Bay Area, the ICAC and the Qianhai Anti-Corruption Bureau had earlier collaborated on a survey to gauge the need of corruption prevention service of Hong Kong enterprises in Qianhai. The Commission will formulate appropriate strategies and provide consulting services to enterprises and from there, larger-scale cooperation will be explored in future.
“Success does not happen by chance. It is the result of absolute devotion and relentless effort. Steered by the “four hopes” set out by President Xi, the ICAC will strive to strengthen governance, enhance the city’s competitiveness, respond to the expectations of the public and maintain stability. We will continue to contribute to the good stories of Hong Kong by safeguarding Hong Kong’s hard-earned reputation as a corruption free city,” Woo said.
Last update : 30 August 2022
Previous Issue
