Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuracy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Tran Hai Quan signed a bilateral agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (MLA) today on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Viet Nam respectively.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Tang said Hong Kong has been sparing no effort in strengthening its international law enforcement capabilities by expanding its network of bilateral arrangements with foreign jurisdictions concerning mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. 

He pointed out that the signing of the agreement on MLA today represents an important step forward in legal co-operation between Hong Kong and Viet Nam.

Under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong SAR Government may, with the authorisation of the Central People's Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance.

The MLA agreement contains the essential features and safeguards of international agreements of this type. 

The assistance covered by the agreement includes identifying and locating persons, serving documents, taking evidence, executing requests for search and seizure, providing information, confiscating proceeds of crime, and more.