Secretary for Security Mr John Lee chaired a meeting with the heads of six disciplined forces on December 11 to steer the strategic direction of the Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit (ICTU).

The meeting is held half-yearly to go through the global and local terrorism threats and deliberate on priority issues of the ICTU. It also laid out the ICTU’s vision, that is, to ensure that Hong Kong remains free from terrorist activities through collaboration with the whole government and community.

"Terrorist threat has become more complex and diversified ever than before. Highly co-operative prevention and response at all levels are required. Every ICTU member department has to strive to strengthen intelligence gathering and analysis. We must remain vigilant at all times and ensure the counter-terrorism capability and readiness of Hong Kong," Mr Lee said at the meeting.

Mr Lee also extended his appreciation to the Commissioner of Police for his invaluable support in facilitating the operation of the ICTU.

The ICTU was established on April 23 in 2018 under the co-ordination of the Security Bureau. The ICTU will complement the existing government structure on counter-terrorism (CT) and is dedicated to enhancing the integration and analysis of CT intelligence, co-ordinating inter-departmental CT efforts and advising the Secretary for Security on all CT-related matters.