This undated photo shows a view of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. (PHOTO / IC)

HONG KONG - The fourth report of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has been submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council for review, with the authorities saying that the freedoms of press and expression are protected in the territory.

The four-page report noted that the number of local, Chinese mainland and overseas media organizations registered with the Press Service of the Information Services Department of the HKSAR government has increased by 39 percent compared with 2018.

The fourth universal period review on the People's Republic of China is scheduled to take place in January 2024. The report of the HKSAR constitutes part of the report submitted by the People's Republic of China to the UNHRC earlier

“The HKSAR protects the freedoms of press and expression of Hong Kong residents. The media may exercise their freedom of expression in accordance with the law, and comment on or even criticize the work of the HKSAR government,” the report reads.

The UNHRC has been conducting its fourth universal period review on the human rights situation of member states of the United Nations since 2022.

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The fourth UPR on the People's Republic of China is scheduled to take place in January 2024. The report of the HKSAR constitutes part of the report submitted by the People's Republic of China to the UNHRC earlier.

In preparing the report, the HKSAR government took into account comments received during public consultation on the proposed outline of the report in June this year.

It pointed out that the public continues to enjoy freedom of peaceful assembly and association with the number of registered trade unions and trade union federations increasing by 60.7 percent between the end of 2018 and June 2023.

“Even as it facilitates the expression of views by people at gatherings and marches, the HKSAR is also responsible for maintaining national security and public order. The police always handle public activities in accordance with the Public Order Ordinance and relevant laws,” the report reads.

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The report noted that the HKSAR consistently upholds the rule of law and its courts conduct trials independently, with the Court of Final Appeal exercises the power of final adjudication of the territory.

It added that there are currently 11 non-permanent overseas judges from the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada taking part in the proceedings of the Court of Final Appeal on occasion.

According to the report, the HKSAR also attaches great importance to protecting the rights and interests of foreign domestic helpers and the Labour Department of the HKSAR government has also set up a specialized unit to provide “one-stop shop” support for FDHs.

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The report also noted that the HKSAR government submitted a bill to the Legislative Council in June 2023 on the mandatory reporting of child abuse, aimed at early detection and intervention in child abuse cases and strengthening child protection.