A US State Department report recognising Hong Kong's efforts in combating human trafficking has been welcomed by the Government.

The Security Bureau is pleased the report placed Hong Kong in Tier 1, along with 25 other places including France, Germany and the UK.

The report recognises that Hong Kong fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and that effective measures have been put in place to tackle migrant smuggling.

Statistics show there has been a significant drop in the number of illegal immigrants intercepted, from a daily average of 100 in 1993 to just 15 last year.

However, the bureau disagrees that Hong Kong is a point of transit and destination for persons trafficked for sexual exploitation and forced labour.

It said Hong Kong will continue to be vigilant and work closely with other relevant authorities to prevent such activities.