Security Secretary Chris Tang explained on Tuesday that HK$4 billion is needed not only to add the CCTV cameras required to keep the city safe but also to build the network and data systems to go with them, as the government seeks Legco funding approval.

Tang told a panel meeting that the first phase of the “SmartView” programme had ended last year, with 5,000 cameras installed.

He said the system helped solve nearly 900 cases - including six murders and 30 robberies.

Tang said the plan is to add 20,000 more cameras each year, reaching about 60,000 by 2028. He said most of the money is needed for infrastructure.

"I understand some lawmakers and people may think HK$4 billion is expensive. But I want to stress we are building a system to keep the city safe. The cameras themselves are only about 1 percent of the total cost, roughly a thousand dollars per camera," he said.

"The real spending is on the system: building the network infrastructure, laying optical fibre, and creating a video management platform to handle large amounts of data."

He said the expanded system will strengthen the analysis of images using artificial intelligence, helping to prevent crime and assist law enforcement. For example, it could be used to track the movements of criminals using facial recognition technology.

In terms of privacy protection, Tang said that the data on the system would be encrypted and that access permissions would be controlled.

Additionally, notices informing the public will be displayed in any area where cameras are installed.

He added that the system is crucial for both Hong Kong and national security, and that the government must ensure that geopolitics does not affect the procurement and supply of necessary equipment.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden