Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung said Wednesday that one of the factors that has contributed to Hong Kong's prosperity and success is its policy of zero tolerance towards corruption.

Speaking at the third Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Symposium, Wong said Hong Kong plays a vital role internationally in the combat of all forms of crime including corruption.

Since its establishment in 1974, "the Hong Kong ICAC has successfully discharged its mandate to keep corruption in check. That has been achieved by a three-pronged strategy of investigation, prevention and community education," said Wong.

Through its campaigns, the ICAC has helped to maintain the stability of Hong Kong, to inspire confidence in its financial arrangements and to maintain a way of life for people which is fair and decent.

The work of the ICAC is as important today as ever it was, and the credentials it has established for itself at the international level are impeccable. Transparency International has consistently rated Hong Kong as one of the least corrupt places in the world in its annual surveys of global corruption, according to Wong.

Wong also mentioned about the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which came into force in the Chinese Mainland in February this year, and is applicable to Hong Kong. The convention recognizes the significance of the return of assets obtained through corruption as a fundamental international principle, which is encouraging.

Wong said that the campaign against corruption must be placed at the top of the agendas of societies in the opening years of the2 1st century, while co-operation must involve all of those who are stakeholders in civilized society, whether they be investigators, prosecutors, lawmakers, professionals, bankers, businessmen or simply concerned citizens.

When talking about the role of Hong Kong, he said that the city "is committed not only to battling corruption at home, but also to sharing its expertise with others, and to assisting law enforcers in other jurisdictions in whatever way possible."

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2006)