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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Kan takes over as head of national security police
Former senior assistant commissioner Andrew Kan Kai-yan has become the new head of the police department for safeguarding national security upon the retirement of deputy commissioner of police for national security Edwina Lau Chi-wai.
Steve Li Kwai-wah has been promoted to chief superintendent of police for National Security. The appointments took effect yesterday.
While appointing the two officers, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that they will take on more responsibilities in their new positions and make greater contributions to safeguarding national security.
"Even though both Kan and Li face the United States' bullying act of gross imposition of so-called 'sanction', they are fearless, firm and dedicated to their duties," Lee said.
Lee said Kan has served the police force for 32 years and "has demonstrated outstanding performance, professionalism and an exemplary commitment to serving."
"He has a high awareness of national security and is familiar with national security affairs," he said.
"He is capable of leading the national security department of the Hong Kong police force to shoulder the important responsibility of safeguarding national security."
Lee added that Li served as a senior police officer in the national security department since the national security law came into effect on June 30, 2020.
"He has displayed loyalty and dedication as well as an unwavering commitment to discharging his duties in safeguarding national security, resulting in outstanding accomplishments."
Meanwhile, assistant commissioner of police for National Security Kelvin Kong Hok-lai was appointed senior assistant commissioner of police by the Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee, succeeding Kan as director of National Security.
"Kong has been serving in the national security department of the Hong Kong police force since the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law," Siu said.
"Undaunted by the bullying act of the United States in the form of so-called 'sanction' grossly imposed on him, Kong has remained steadfast in carrying out his duties in safeguarding national security and has delivered an outstanding performance."
Retired Lau, who served the police force for 38 years, last worked on Saturday, April 29, and was greeted by hundreds of officers who lined up to see her off when leaving the police headquarters.
Before retiring, Lau had said that the police faced difficulties in executing the national security law within a short period of time to protect the majority of citizens.
But there are still some national security risks at the moment, she said.
While appointing the two officers, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that they will take on more responsibilities in their new positions and make greater contributions to safeguarding national security.
"Even though both Kan and Li face the United States' bullying act of gross imposition of so-called 'sanction', they are fearless, firm and dedicated to their duties," Lee said.
Lee said Kan has served the police force for 32 years and "has demonstrated outstanding performance, professionalism and an exemplary commitment to serving."
"He has a high awareness of national security and is familiar with national security affairs," he said.
"He is capable of leading the national security department of the Hong Kong police force to shoulder the important responsibility of safeguarding national security."
Lee added that Li served as a senior police officer in the national security department since the national security law came into effect on June 30, 2020.
"He has displayed loyalty and dedication as well as an unwavering commitment to discharging his duties in safeguarding national security, resulting in outstanding accomplishments."
Meanwhile, assistant commissioner of police for National Security Kelvin Kong Hok-lai was appointed senior assistant commissioner of police by the Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee, succeeding Kan as director of National Security.
"Kong has been serving in the national security department of the Hong Kong police force since the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law," Siu said.
"Undaunted by the bullying act of the United States in the form of so-called 'sanction' grossly imposed on him, Kong has remained steadfast in carrying out his duties in safeguarding national security and has delivered an outstanding performance."
Retired Lau, who served the police force for 38 years, last worked on Saturday, April 29, and was greeted by hundreds of officers who lined up to see her off when leaving the police headquarters.
Before retiring, Lau had said that the police faced difficulties in executing the national security law within a short period of time to protect the majority of citizens.
But there are still some national security risks at the moment, she said.
