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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, told leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) member economies on the second day of the Leaders﷿ Meeting today (November 19, Ha Noi time) that Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world.
Mr Tsang said that Hong Kong is committed to fulfilling its international obligations in the fight against terrorism, maintains close contact and exchange intelligence with its overseas counterparts, and reviews constantly its threat assessment.
The Chief Executive said: 䩕Our existing laws are effective in dealing with criminal activities typically committed by terrorists or associated with terrorism. We have already put in place legislation to combat terrorist financing, terrorist bombings and maritime terrorism, in compliance with the requirements under relevant international conventions.蒅
Hong Kong﷿s financial regulators have drawn financial institutions﷿ attention to the need to take the required measures to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.
䩕Hong Kong is committed to maintaining a robust regime to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. We are committed to implementing the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) Recommendations.蒅
The Chief Executive also spoke in support of collaboration among APEC member economies on preventive measures to safeguard supply chain security and on trade recovery measures in the event of any terrorist attacks. 䩕These measures are important to ensure that regional and global economic growth would not be impeded,蒅 he said.
Mr Tsang also pledged his support to sharing of information and technology in the search for alternative energy sources.
The annual APEC Economic Leaders﷿ Meeting will be hosted by Australia next year.
Ends/Sunday, November 19, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:18
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