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Simpson Cheung

Senior Hong Kong police officer Kelvin Kong Hok-lai has taken over the force’s National Security Department, succeeding Andrew Kan Kai-yan, who began pre-retirement leave on Tuesday.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu appointed Kong as deputy police commissioner (national security) under Article 16 (2) of the national security law. The appointment took effect immediately after Kong took the oath of office.
Lee said Kong, formerly the director of national security, had served with the Hong Kong Police Force for three decades and worked in the department since the promulgation and implementation of the national security law.
“He has shown outstanding performance, an exemplary commitment to serve, and exceptional leadership with a high awareness of national security. He is steadfast and courageous, and remains resolute in safeguarding national security,” Lee said.
“I recognise his work and have confidence that he will take on more responsibilities in his new position and make greater contributions to safeguarding national security.”
The national security law requires police to establish a department for safeguarding national security with law enforcement capacity.
The head of the department is appointed by the chief executive, who must seek the written opinion of the Office for Safeguarding National Security before making the appointment.

No successor has yet been announced for Kong’s former post as director of national security. Currently, two assistant commissioners – Dick Wong Chung-chun and Kenneth Kwok Ka-chuen – report to the director of national security.
It was understood that both Wong and Kwok would hold acting roles until the end of this year, when a decision on the appointment would be made.
Kong joined the force as an inspector in 1996. He spent most of his career in the Security Wing, a department responsible for a range of security-related matters, including VIP protection, counterterrorism and security coordination.
He also held various posts at police headquarters and in frontline operational command.
He was involved in security operations providing protection for visiting state leaders, including then vice-premier Wu Bangguo in 2000 and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2017, a police source said.
He was seconded to the Security Bureau between 2013 and 2016, serving first as assistant secretary of the Emergency Support Unit and later as exercise director of the interdepartmental Counterterrorism Exercise Planning Team.
He was promoted to senior superintendent in October 2015.
After his tenure at the Security Bureau, Kong commanded various formations in the Security Wing, where he was involved in security operations, VIP protection, intelligence operations and liaison work relating to security issues.
He was promoted to chief superintendent and appointed district commander of Tseung Kwan O in May 2018. He returned to the Security Wing the following year as its second officer-in-charge.
He was appointed assistant commissioner of police, National Security (2), in July 2020, following the enactment of the national security law.
He was promoted to senior assistant commissioner of police and appointed director of national security in April 2023.
Kong has received training at various institutions, including Tsinghua University, the China Executive Leadership Academy in Pudong, the Canadian Police College, the Australian Institute of Police Management and the US Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management sciences and a master’s degree in public administration.


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Kelvin Kong (left) takes the oath of office, witnessed by Chief Executive John Lee. Photo: Handout

John Lee (right) has said Kelvin Kong (left) has served with the Hong Kong Police Force for three decades. Photo: Handout

Andrew Kan began his pre-retirement leave on Tuesday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Andrew Kan left the force on Monday after 35 years of service. Photo: Dickson Lee

Andrew Kan (second left) inspects a passing-out parade held at the Hong Kong Police College. Photo: Handout

Activist Chan Po-ying (centre) appears at Victoria Park with a paper yellow flower to mark June 4. Kan said commemorative activities should be judged on a case-by-case basis. Photo: Karma Lo

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Police discovered the drug factory in a Fanling unit. Photo: Handout

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Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Force veteran Kong takes over from Andrew Kan as city leader praises his ‘steadfast and courageous’ leadership


Force veteran Kong takes over from Andrew Kan as city leader praises his ‘steadfast and courageous’ leadership.


John Lee appoints Kelvin Kong head of police’s National Security Department

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Force veteran Kong takes over from Andrew Kan as city leader praises his ‘steadfast and courageous’ leadership

Force veteran Kong takes over from Andrew Kan as city leader praises his ‘steadfast and courageous’ leadership