On 22nd May 2024, Hong Kong's financial and commerce officials maintained a reserved stance following the death of Matthew Trickett, a former UK Royal Marines member accused of espionage for Hong Kong's secret service. Trickett was found deceased in a park in Maidenhead, London, with his identity confirmed by British police.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan addressed the media after a session in the Legislative Council, stating that the SAR government would not comment on individual cases or related specifics. This came in response to inquiries about whether Trickett's death might impact the fairness of judicial proceedings.
Meanwhile, Bernard Chan, Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, dismissed "ridiculous" online allegations regarding the altered roles of Hong Kong's overseas trade offices. He clarified that these offices continue to operate strictly within legal bounds and without fear, under the "one country, two systems" framework.
Hong Kong operates 14 trade offices globally, tasked with fostering local contacts with authorities, think tanks, and business sectors to enhance trade ties, attract investments, and promote cultural exchanges. These offices aim to communicate Hong Kong's advantages and positive narratives internationally.
The discussion around these offices has gained attention following comments by Regina Ip Lau, Executive Council convener, in a recent television interview. Ip noted a shift in the responsibilities of these offices, including monitoring foreign councillors with anti-China sentiments and keeping tabs on exiled dissenters. She argued that similar intelligence activities are likely undertaken by foreign consulates in Hong Kong, questioning the illegality of such practices for Hong Kong's trade office in the UK.
港府就倫敦「間諜」死亡案保持緘默
2024年5月22日,香港財政及商務官員就前英國皇家海軍成員馬修·特里克特(Matthew Trickett)的死亡事件保持予以謹慎回應。特里克特被指為香港秘密情報機構效力,其遺體於倫敦梅登黑德公園內被發現,英國警方已確認其身份。
財政司司長陳茂波在立法會會議後會見傳媒時表示,特區政府不會就個別案件或相關細節發表評論。這是對有關特里克特死亡可能影響司法公正的提問作出回應。
與此同時,商務及經濟發展局局長陳百里否認網上「荒謬」的指控,稱香港的海外貿易辦事處的角色並未改變,仍然嚴格依法運作,在「一國兩制」框架下毫無顧慮。
香港在全球設有14個貿易辦事處,旨在與當地政府、智庫及商界建立聯繫,以促進貿易、吸引投資和推動文化交流,傳播香港的優勢和正面形象。
這些辦事處的角色近期引起關注,源於行政會議召集人葉劉淑儀在電視節目中的評論。葉指出,這些辦事處的職責已有所轉變,包括監察持有反華立場的外國議員,以及關注流亡人士的動向。她認為,香港的貿易辦事處在英國開展類似情報活動,並質疑這種做法的合法性。