HONG KONG | September 26, 2025 – The Republic of Zambia and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China today signed a trio of agreements, establishing a powerful legal alliance to combat cross-border crime, deny safe havens to offenders, and accelerate the recovery of illicit assets.

The signing ceremony, held at the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong, was led by the Secretary for Security, Mr. Tang Ping-keung, for the HKSAR and the Honourable Jack Mwimbu, MP, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, for Zambia. The event marks the culmination of extensive negotiations spearheaded by Attorney General, Mr. Mulilo Kabesha, SC, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC. The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) was represented at the signing by its Chief Administrator, Ms. Cassandra Soko, on behalf of the DPP.

In his remarks, Secretary Tang emphasised the shared commitment to international security, stating, “The signing of these agreements represents an important step forward in legal co-operation between Hong Kong and Zambia. Both are committed players in the international efforts to fight crime.”

Echoing this sentiment, Minister Mwimbu described the agreements as “not merely legal documents, but powerful testaments to our shared commitment to justice, security, and the rule of law.” He underscored the necessity of the partnership, noting that “in an increasingly interconnected world, criminality knows no borders. To effectively combat transnational organised crime, we must transcend borders in our collaboration.”

The three agreements create a seamless legal conduit between the two jurisdictions:

1. ​The Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Agreement* will be instrumental in obtaining evidence, locating suspects, and critically, freezing and confiscating the proceeds of crime, ensuring justice is neither delayed nor denied.

2. ​The Surrender of Fugitive Offenders (SFO) Agreement* establishes clear conditions for extradition, closing jurisdictional loopholes to ensure there is no safe haven for those who seek to evade the law.

3. ​The Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TSP) Agreement* embodies a shared humanitarian principle, allowing offenders to be rehabilitated closer to their families, which is widely recognised as conducive to successful reintegration.

For the National Prosecution Authority, this framework is a strategic force multiplier, providing prosecutors with the definitive international legal tools needed to target the financial infrastructure of sophisticated criminal syndicates.

The agreements, which include all essential international safeguards, lay a solid foundation for a safer future for citizens and a more predictable legal environment for economic prosperity.

This milestone cements Zambia’s role as a principled and proactive actor in global justice cooperation standing firm against criminal impunity and committed to building a safer, more just world.