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Statement by the Judiciary on practice of Coroner
In accordance with Section 6 of the Coroners Ordinance, the death of Mr David Chan Yuk-cheung has been reported to the Coroner upon the body being brought into the territory of Hong Kong.
It is the usual practice of the Coroner that whenever a Hong Kong resident dies suddenly or unexpectedly at sea, outside Hong Kong territorial waters, to require an autopsy and a death report from the Royal Hong Kong Police. Upon receipt of the report, the Coroner will determine whether to conduct an inquest.
The jurisdiction of the Coroner to investigate the circumstances of the death and to conduct an inquest arise from the presence of the body in Hong Kong.
The Coroner has been supplied with a Death Certificate from the authorities in Taiwan. That certificate states a cause of death, but does not state that an autopsy has been undertaken.
In accordance with the usual practice the Coroner has directed that an autopsy be conducted to ascertain the actual cause of death.
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Australia and Hong Kong: Strategic Partner in Asia
The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, called on Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, today (Friday) before concluding her week-long visit to three major cities in Australia - Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
"I had met with the Prime Minister and had a useful discussion, exchanging views on matters of mutual concern," Mrs Chan said.
"Given our increasingly strong ties, it is in both our interests that travel between Australia and Hong Kong should be made flexible and easy.