"Criminals involved know how to exploit every opportunity, every flaw that is offered to them, and they react fast," Mr Tsang said in his address at the opening of the Transnational Organized Crime Conference (TOCC) held in Hong Kong last week.

Some 500 delegates from 33 countries and regions participated in the four-day conference which started on March 18.

Commissioner Tsang Yam-pui at the opening ceremony

"Transnational crime does not care about national or regional jurisdictions or about the limitations that are imposed upon those fighting its activities. We are, quite rightly, as law enforcement officers, limited by laws and by our codes of conduct. But we are also limited, perhaps, by the fact that we sometimes fail to think as widely as we should," he pointed out.

"Perhaps a single crime is part of a much wider conspiracy. If one organization deals only with that crime and fails to think through the implications, then bigger crime can go undetected and unpunished. We have to co-operate.

"Of course, we all have resource constraints and it may not be simple to respond effectively to a request for assistance from an overseas jurisdiction, particularly if we are hard-pressed in meeting all our local demands on our expertise and resources.

"We have to realize, however, that the fight against transnational organized crime requires us to move beyond our normal horizons," he added.

As an example of co-operation and trust which bore fruit, the Commissioner recalled his personal involvement a number of years ago in which a drug syndicate was smashed trying to smuggle 43 kilogrammes of heroin from Hong Kong to Australia.

With the co-operation of Australian Federal Police, a total of 24 persons, including syndicate leaders and financiers, were arrested in both Hong Kong and Australia.

Investigations into the money laundering aspects of the case subsequently produced significant results, he added.

This case demonstrated, he continued, that where there was a will to trust, work together and share information between different law enforcement jurisdictions and agencies, real success could be achieved.

"I am convinced that the basic infrastructure for the fight against transnational organized crime now exists. It is up to us to make it work. Transnational crime organizations are very flexible and forward thinking - and we must be the same."

In summing up, the Commissioner highlighted four points which he considered important in the fight against transnational organized crime.

They are:

• avoid finger pointing and indulging in endless discussion of who was at fault as it is counter productive;

• respect for each other's strengths and weaknesses, and always consider whether a case being dealt with might have implications for another country or countries;

• be ready to share expertise and share specialist equipment, and

• actively increase the sharing of information and investigations and more face-to-face contacts.

A total of 12 panel sessions were convened 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.

The 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 Junk Bay.

In his closing address, Mr Tsang said the four-day conference was a success, adding: "We have gained new insights, we have learned from each other and most importantly I hope trust has been established."

Pointing out that the element that linked all aspects of transnational organized crime was money, Mr Tsang said he was therefore very pleased to note that the panels on money laundering were able to show that it was impossible to combat these activities without open and full sharing of information between jurisdictions and without effective legislation being put into place.

"The Hong Kong Police have come to understand that we must all contribute actual resources if we are to make a real commitment to the fight against transnational organized crime. Hong Kong has particular expertise in certain areas and, therefore, we would be pleased to offer assistance in the vital area of training," the Commissioner said.

He said the Force could offer courses in command and management, criminal investigation techniques, triads, fraud investigation, financial investigation and fingerprint identification.

In conclusion, Mr Tsang hoped that another law enforcement agency would step forward and organize a similar event next year or the year after next. "Personally I believe we must maintain the momentum and continue to meet face to face."

(More photos at Photo Features)

Financial Secretary Antony Leung proposes a toast at the conference banquet