HK URGED TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM
The government should strive to improve operation of the notification system with the mainland over cases of detained Hong Kong residents, pro-Beijing politicians said yesterday.
A spokeswoman for the Security Bureau said it received a request for help from Lan Zhen-xing's family on November 21. But she could not confirm whether they were told of the man's detention before being approached by his family.
Lau Nai-keung, a local delegate to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said the system had not been effective since it was introduced in 2001. 'China is such a vast country that some departments may not bother to tell the SAR government about the arrests and detentions of Hong Kong people,' he said.
Mr Lau said even the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing might not be able to ensure that all departments in the country complied with the notification system.
Ma Lik, a local delegate to the National People's Congress, said the Hong Kong government should discuss ways to improve the system with mainland authorities. 'At present, the SAR government is passive in waiting to be informed of cases of arrests and detentions,' he said.
