To further combat computer crime, the Government will strengthen the existing regulatory regime, promote community involvement, and improve co-ordination and institutional arrangements on cyber security.

This was the message from Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung addressing the Symposium on Internet Law today.

The move will be made in view of increasing computer crimes in recent years, from 38 cases in 1998 to 272 last year.

"Work has already started on some administrative measures and the relatively straightforward legislative amendments," Ms Leung said.

While existing laws, such as the Personal Data (Privacy), Control of Obscene & Indecent Articles and Computer Crimes Ordinances can tackle computer-related crime, the Government proposed to the Legislative Council in November amendments to the Criminal Jurisdiction Ordinance to address cross-border computer crime.

"The amendments, if and when approved, will enable Hong Kong courts to exercise jurisdiction over computer-related crimes committed or planned outside Hong Kong but that are connected to, or intended to cause damage in Hong Kong," she said.

Also speaking at the symposium, Deputy Director of Information Technology Services Stephen Mak said the Government has built a legal framework and implemented various initiatives to establish a secure e-business environment in Hong Kong.

One of the measures is to establish a clear and conducive legal framework that facilitates electronic transactions. 

To develop Hong Kong into a secure and reliable e-community, providing up-to-date information and adequate public education on information security is important. The Government set up the Infosec website last year to provide public access to resources and updates on information security.

The establishment of the HK Computer Emergency Response Team Co-ordination Centre in February 2001 has greatly enhanced Hong Kong's capability to respond to information security incidents and access relevant information.

Mr Mak said the Government has been closely monitoring the local situation regarding junk fax and email spamming. Possible measures are being considered to combat the problem in consultation with the industry, but the Government will strike a balance in introducing any regulatory measure in order not to stifle legitimate business activities.

Mr Mak said the Government is reviewing the Electronic Transactions Ordinance to ensure Hong Kong has the most up-to-date legislative framework to support e-business development. The Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill 2003 was submitted to the Legislative Council in June.

Mr Mak said CEPA has further highlighted the need for a cross-border perspective, and co-operation among certification authorities in different jurisdictions is important for using digital certificates across the border.

In this regard, local businesses and organisations have established the Hong Kong Public Key Infrastructure Forum to foster collaboration among certification authorities both within and outside Hong Kong.

The Government will continue to actively participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation in its efforts to enhance interoperability of certification services among member economies.