ENG-1999 — Page 369

PUBLIC ORDER

International Co-operation

To commemorate the commission's 25th anniversary, an international conference titled 'Fighting Corruption into the 21st Century' was held from March 22 to 24. It attracted 500 delegates from 53 overseas jurisdictions. ICAC officers also attended a number of overseas forums during the year.

A Chief Investigator of the ICAC was awarded the 'Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 1999' title by the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators in September for his contribution in neutralising an international counterfeit credit card syndicate.

Directorate officers regularly met senior officers of major overseas and law enforcement agencies stationed in Hong Kong to discuss matters of mutual interests.

Cross-boundary Liaison

Liaison with various anti-corruption agencies in the Mainland continued. During the year, talks were given to about 3 800 Mainland officials visiting Hong Kong. The Commissioner led a delegation to visit the procuratorates, law enforcement agencies and other government departments in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in November.

The Mutual Case Assistance Scheme with the Mainland continued to operate effectively. In 1999, ICAC investigators visited the Mainland on 13 occasions for corruption investigations and assisted their Mainland counterparts in making enquiries in Hong Kong on 40 occasions.

Checks and Balances

The commission's operation is subject to a stringent system of checks and balances. Apart from judicial supervision of some of its powers, the work of the commission is scrutinised by four advisory committees — the Advisory Committee Corruption, the Operations Review Committee, the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations.

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An independent ICAC Complaints Committee, which comprises members of the Executive and Legislative Councils and other prominent citizens, monitors the handling of complaints against the commission and its officers. The ICAC also has an internal investigation group which oversees the conduct of its officers and investigates complaints made against them.

Government Laboratory

The Government Laboratory is an agency providing a wide range of scientific services at internationally recognised standards of proficiency. Its Forensic Science Division is one of the largest and most sophisticated forensic science laboratories in the Asia-Pacific Region. While the division works independently and impartially, it collaborates closely with client departments: principally the Hong Kong Police Force, Customs and Excise, ICAC and the Immigration Department.

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The work of the Forensic Science Division is shared by two distinct groups Physical and Biochemical Evidence Group and the Drugs and Toxicology Group. The former comprises two Biochemical Science sections, the Chemical Science Section, the Physical Science Section and the Questioned Documents Section. The

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