He made the remarks at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) workshop on anti-corruption, where he highlighted Hong Kong’s transformation from a corruption-ridden society in the 1970s to one of the world’s cleanest financial hubs.
According to Lam, this journey offers a powerful blueprint for other economies.
“The long and short of it is that social and economic growth will not be sustainable unless it is coupled with a strong culture of integrity,” he said at the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts Working Group workshop.
Citing the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)’s latest annual survey, Lam noted that approximately 98 percent of Hong Kong’s public believes maintaining a corruption-free society is crucial to the city’s overall development – a statistic that he said reflects a fundamental shift in public attitudes.
He traced Hong Kong’s anti-corruption journey to two landmark developments: the enactment of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance in 1971, which introduced offences including the “possession of unexplained property,” and the establishment of the ICAC in 1974.
Lam emphasised that the commission’s independence – operating free from direction except from the Chief Executive – has been critical to its success.
“The point that I wish to make is that the rule of law is the indispensable means to promote a culture of integrity,” Lam said, pointing to Hong Kong’s comprehensive legal framework that includes criminal offences, common law liabilities for misconduct in public office and civil remedies such as constructive trusts that force corrupt officials to surrender illegal gains.
While celebrating Hong Kong’s achievements, Lam struck a collaborative tone, acknowledging that no economy can fight corruption alone.
“While each economy would need to find its own way to promote integrity … knowledge and experience sharing as well as mutual legal assistance among economies are not only desirable but also necessary, in particular, having regard to the fact that many challenges are common and transboundary,” he said.
Lam encouraged visitors from other economies to take time to experience Hong Kong as a safe, friendly and interesting place – where integrity and prosperity coexist.
