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Transnational Organized Crime Conference
March 18 - 21, 2002

     Some 500 delegates from 33 countries and regions participated in a four-day conference beginning in Hong Kong on March 18, 2002. Taking as its theme "Bridging the GAP - a Global Alliance Perspective on transnational organized crime", this was the first multi-national conference ever organised by the Force. The participants, from a total of 137 organisations, included top echelons of law enforcement agencies, lawyers, executives from the banking and finance sectors, academics and various other professionals.

     Notable keynote speakers at the conference included Interpol's Secretary-General Ronald K. Noble; the Director, Criminal Investigation Department of China's Ministry of Public Security Zhang Xin-feng; the UK's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Keith Povey; the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Giuliano Zaccardelli; the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police Michael Keelty; the Commissioner of Singapore Police Khoo Boon-hui; the United States' Assistant Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation Ronald L. Iden; and Professor Michael Levi of Cardiff University, Wales.

      Apart from the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tsang Yam-pui, other prominent local participants included the Hon. Chief Justice, Mr. Andrew Li Kwok-nang; and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr I. G. Cross.

      A total of 12 panel sessions were held to discuss the background, magnitude and scope for developing long-term strategies and co-operation in dealing with cyber crime, money laundering, changing trends in narcotic crime and triad societies. These panels were addressed by leading experts in each field, and delegates were also taken on a visit to Hong Kong's container terminal in Kwai Chung and a tour of Tsing Ma Bridge, followed by demonstrations by the Force's Small Boat Unit and Special Duties Unit in Tseung Kwan O.

      As the Commissioner of Police remarked in his opening address, transnational organised crime existed as a huge threat today.

      "The revenues run into billions of dollars and the criminals involved know how to exploit every opportunity that is offered to them. Since transnational crime does not care about national or regional jurisdictions or about the limitations that are imposed upon those fighting its activities, law enforcement officers should think more widely. Perhaps a single crime is part of a much wider conspiracy. But if one organisation deals only with that crime and fails to think through the implications, then bigger crimes can go undetected and unpunished. Everyone has to co-operate because the fight against transnational organised crime goes beyond our normal horizons."

     In summing up, the Commissioner highlighted four points that he considered important in the fight against transnational organised crime: to avoid finger pointing and indulging in endless discussion of who was at fault; to respect each other's strengths and weaknesses and always consider whether a case being dealt with might have implications for another country or countries; to be ready to share expertise and specialist equipment; and to actively increase the sharing of information and investigations as well as encourage more face-to-face contacts.

     The Commissioner said in his closing address that the four-day conference was a success. "We have gained new insights, we have learned from each other and most importantly I hope trust has been established."

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