Following the success of the 15th Interpol Symposium for Heads of Police Training in 2005, the Hong Kong Police Force once again plays an important role in assisting in the organisation of a symposium on police studies. This time the Force is privileged to have been invited by the President of the Police Association of China (PAC) to assist in the holding of the "Symposium on Police Studies of the Strait cum HK & Macao" in Hong Kong. The last Symposium held in Shanghai in 2006 attracted about 100 participants.

Commissioner Tang King-shing said: "This is the first time the Symposium is held in Hong Kong. We are honoured that the Force will assist in organising this important event."

Entitled "Police Studies and Practice of the New Century" - the Symposium will cover three major themes. They are:

(i) Policing and enforcement against illegal Internet activities;

(ii) Quality and management of law enforcement agencies, and

(iii) General police studies and researches on policing related issues.

Mr Tang told OffBeat that the Symposium would provide a platform for distinguished officials and scholars from the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao to exchange views on the trends and developments of policing related subjects.

The Symposium would also benefit the Force in enhancing its understanding and collaboration with other academies and law enforcement agencies across the Strait.

"Through knowledge sharing, we can further raise the policing standards in these four places, and establish close ties and co-operation in police studies," Mr Tang added.

On preparatory work of the Symposium, Mr Tang said: "The Police College, Liaison Bureau, Staff Relations Group and Police Public Relations Branch have been working closely with the PAC for the past six months. Both the PAC and the Force share a common goal to make the upcoming Symposium a most successful one and to set a benchmark for future academic studies."

Mr Tian Qiyu, President of the PAC, will officially open the Symposium on October 29 in the Auditorium, PHQ, together with the Secretary for Security, Commissioner of Police, Heads of Immigration Department and Fire Services Department, and Heads of Delegates from Taiwan and Macao. More than 100 academic papers have been received. After evaluation of the papers by a judging panel comprising representatives of the four places, 57 of them would be included in Symposium Proceedings and 25 of which will be presented at five plenary sessions to be held in the Multi-purpose Hall, PHQ between October 29 and 30.

About 130 participants will attend the Symposium, including many renowned scholars from across the Strait.