Mr Lau assured them that Hong Kong's law enforcement agencies stepped up measures to protect the public against possible attacks of a similar nature immediately after the tragic news from the US reached our television screens.

In particular, they took specific action to protect our potentially vulnerable target premises and their staff, to increase intelligence acquisition and sharing, to prepare legislation to further strengthen our arm, and they carried out exercises to ensure all law enforcement staff were aware of the threats and ready to deal with any that arose.

"The most obvious examples of our commitment to ensuring that Hong Kong remains a safe place for all those visiting, working and living in the territory, can readily be seen at our international passenger and cargo control points," Mr Lau said.

Security at Chek Lap Kok international airport received immediate attention. The same can be said for our cross-boundary control points, harbour-side liner terminal, container ports and wharves, Mr Lau added.

Consular protection has also been enhanced.

"Our prompt response and heightened alertness has not only resulted in praise from the international community but also enhanced confidence in Hong Kong as a safe city.

"We know of at least one major international conference, for example, that changed its venue to Hong Kong in the aftermath of September 11.

"Everything humanly possible will continue to be done to neutralise threats. "For example we are stepping up our monitoring of suspect terrorist groups, their members and money transfers, we are honing our incident management capabilities, widening the depth and scope of our investigations, if and when required, and increasing our inter-agency communications both locally and internationally," he said.

You can rely upon constant vigilance by all the law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong, concluded Mr Lau.

The Force conducts anti-terrorist training regularly and held a large-scale exercise at Chek Lap Kok Airport involving more than 1,000 participants from various organisations and agencies, including NGOs, last year. Another large-scale anti-terrorist exercise will be held towards the end of the year.

Mr Lau Yuk-kuen speaks on efforts to keep HK safe and secure