ENG-2008 — Page 391

Public Order | 319

Briefings were arranged and booklets produced for candidates and election agents. to better acquaint them with the election laws. A hotline was also set up to advise them on the electioneering 'dos' and 'don'ts'. Advertisements were broadcast on television, radio and infotainment channels on public transport to convey the 'clean election' message.

A mobile exhibition vehicle, drawing people's attention to some of the major corruption cases that occurred in Hong Kong, was launched for the first time. The vehicle carrying the displays drove through the city. Up to 85 000 people saw the displays over a period of five months. The department also organised more than 240 'integrity' events jointly with community organisations, reaching 400 000 people from all walks of life.

International Co-operation

The ICAC has ties with law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies around the world. During the year, the ICAC received 508 visitors from other jurisdictions, including the European Union, the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Bhutan.

Under the authority of the Central People's Government, Hong Kong continues to assist signatories to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in implementing corruption prevention measures. In October, the ICAC Commissioner led a high-level delegation to an international conference in Ukraine to share Hong Kong's experiences in combating corruption with other delegations to the conference.

Cross-boundary Liaison

Under the Mutual Case Assistance Scheme established in 1988, the ICAC and the Mainland procuratorate authorities continued to assist each other in corruption investigations. In conducting cross-boundary inquiries, ICAC officers and Mainland procurators paid visits to each other's jurisdiction on 36 occasions during the year.

On the prevention and education fronts, the ICAC continued to step up liaison with the Mainland's anti-corruption authorities. The commissioner visited the Ministry of Supervision in Beijing in May to foster mutual exchanges and co-operation. During the year, the ICAC briefed more than 6 100 visiting Mainland officials on Hong Kong's anti-corruption strategy.

Checks and Balances

The ICAC is subject to a stringent system of checks and balances. Apart from judicial supervision, the commission's work is scrutinised by four independent committees: The Advisory Committee on Corruption, the Operations Review Committee, the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations. The committee chairmen held a press conference in late 2008 to update the public on their work in monitoring the ICAC.