Top officials say no comment on death of alleged spy, reiterate duties of overseas trade offices

Hong Kong’s financial minister Paul Chan Mo-po said the SAR government will not make any comments in response to the death of an alleged spy accused of breaching the UK’s national security law, while the acting commerce chief said overseas trade offices will continue to perform their duties legally and “without fear”. 

Their remarks came after 37-year-old former UK Royal Marines member Matthew Trickett – accused of spying for Hong Kong’s secret intelligence service – was found dead in a park in Maidenhead, London, on Sunday. His identity was confirmed by British police on Tuesday. 

Speaking after the Legislative Council ante chamber exchange session on Wednesday, Chan said the Hong Kong government will not comment on an individual case or relevant details when reporters asked him if the death would affect the fairness of the trial. 

Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Bernard Chan Pak-li also refused to respond to “ridiculous” accusations circulated online when asked if the role and functions of Hong Kong’s trade offices overseas have changed. 

The acting commerce chief stressed that the government has been establishing and maintaining trade relationships worldwide in accordance with the “one country two systems” principle. 

He continued that Hong Kong currently has 14 overseas trade offices and they are responsible for contacting local authorities, think tanks, and commerce sectors to enhance trade and investor relationships and strengthen cultural and artistic exchanges. 

The trade offices will continue to perform their duties without fears, bias and legally to promote Hong Kong’s advantages and tell good stories of Hong Kong to attract capital, he also said. 

Concerns about the functions of the trade offices continue to rise as Executive Council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee earlier had said the nature of their work has changed. 

In a TV interview on Saturday, Ip said their duties now include keeping an eye on foreign councilors with an anti-China stance who table proposals targeting Hong Kong and troublemakers that are exiled from the SAR. 

She believes similarly foreign consulates in Hong Kong also conduct intelligence gathering and challenged why it would be illegal for the trade office in the UK to do the same. 

She also pointed to the wide coverage of the UK’s 2023 National Security Act and added that the UK has to adduce firm evidence to back their accusations. 

Also read: Former UK marine in Hong Kong spy case found dead: police