China News Service, Hong Kong, February 26 (Reporter Liu Dawei) The four advisory committees of the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) held an annual press briefing on the 26th and announced that this year the ICAC will hold about 20 professional courses for anti-corruption agencies around the world. To help them improve their governance and anti-corruption capabilities.
Liao Changjiang, chairman of the ICAC Corruption Advisory Committee, said that with half a century of solid experience in combating corruption and the reputation established in the field of anti-corruption, as well as the support of the national and SAR governments, the ICAC has seized the opportunity to serve as the chairman of the International Federation of Anti-Corruption Authorities. Opportunities to contact relevant institutions around the world to build a stronger anti-corruption force.
During this period, the membership of the International Federation of Anti-Corruption Authorities increased from 123 to nearly 170, covering law enforcement, prosecution, audit and related agencies around the world.
Liao Changjiang pointed out that the Independent Commission Against Corruption recently established the Hong Kong International Integrity Academy to build an important platform for leveraging the synergy of international cooperation.
Immediately after its establishment, the Academy co-organized its first formal course with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, providing training to 35 anti-corruption professionals from about 20 jurisdictions.
In the new year, the ICAC will organize about 20 professional courses for anti-corruption agencies around the world and 10 professional anti-corruption courses for the local public and private sectors.
At the briefing that day, Chen Zhisi, chairman of the ICAC’s Corruption Reporting Advisory Committee, also announced the overall corruption situation in Hong Kong in 2023.
According to reports, in addition to election complaints, the ICAC received a total of 2,001 corruption complaints last year, a year-on-year increase of 9%.
The main reason is that Hong Kong's economic activities have gradually returned to normal due to the recession of the epidemic, and complaints involving private organizations have increased accordingly.
However, compared with 2019, the number of complaints received actually dropped by 13%.
Complaints involving the private sector increased by 22% year-on-year, with the three sectors that recorded the most complaints being the building management industry, the finance and insurance industry, and the construction industry.
Chen Zhisi said that among the complaints received, named complaints accounted for 71%, which shows that the public continues to trust and support the work of the ICAC.
Overall, corruption in Hong Kong will continue to be effectively controlled in 2023, the civil service and public institutions are honest and trustworthy, and private enterprises still enjoy a clean and fair business environment.
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