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Hong Kong police
Hong KongLaw and Crime

Safeguarding national security in Hong Kong a top priority: new police chief

Joe Chow, 52, former police second-in-command, takes helm of city’s 27,000-strong force, succeeding Raymond Siu

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Newly appointed police commissioner Joe Chow. Photo: Eugene Lee
Jess Ma
Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming has vowed to make safeguarding national security in Hong Kong a top priority, saying hidden threats have lingered despite the city’s overall social stability.
Chow’s appointment was approved by the State Council, China’s cabinet, on Wednesday, following a recommendation by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, according to Xinhua News Agency. He succeeded Raymond Siu Chak-yee, whose term ended on Tuesday.

“Although Hong Kong society may seem stable, there are undercurrents. It is police’s responsibility to safeguard national security,” Chow said.

Meeting the press after his appointment, Chow said his three main priorities would be protecting national security, boosting the use of technology in police operations and fortifying internal relations within the force.

The police chief, who led an operation against protesters occupying Polytechnic University’s campus in 2019, said he would not take the city’s stability for granted.

He vowed to watch out for “soft resistance” that could manifest in various forms and to focus on boosting public awareness of national security.

“I’m sure that everyone is aware of the legislation of national security, but I think … the scope of national security is far more extensive than what we always mention,” Chow said.

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