The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has officially joined the South East Asia Justice Network (SEAJust), the Government announced today.

Established with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime, SEAJust is an informal platform to facilitate co-operation among member jurisdictions with the target to promote international co-operation and intelligence sharing in the combat against serious and organised crime. Currently, it has 21 members.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said that Hong Kong, as a premier international financial centre, shares close trade and economic ties with other places across the globe. Moreover, the city’s Department of Justice and Police Force have been participating in international co-operation and have also been a responsible member of the community in fighting cross-border crimes.

It added that the Government resonates strongly with SEAJust’s aim, and believes that the network will be able to complement conventional ways of contact among jurisdictions, thereby increasing the efficiency in international co-operation.

In addition to the Hong Kong SAR, Mainland China and the Macao Special Administrative Region have also joined SEAJust. The Hong Kong SAR Government said it is excited to join SEAJust with the motherland and the Macao SAR, and looks forward to contributing to the joint efforts of the three places in combating cross-border crimes.