Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is to continue to enhance professional training for its investigators to "outsmart" criminals in combating increasingly sophisticated corruption crimes.

ICAC's Head of Operations Daniel Li Ming-chak said on Monday that to tackle complex corruption cases, the ICAC's Financial Investigation Section last year conducted 140 assignments in financial analysis and asset tracing, involving 1,160 transactions totaling 6.25 billion HK dollars (801 million U.S. dollars).

Another specialist group - Computer Forensic Section - had its case load risen three-fold last year compared to six years ago when the section was established. It completed 538 computer data analysis last year.

Continuous training in financial investigation, computer analysis and forensics, as well as experience sharing with overseas law enforcement agencies would sharpen officers' investigative edge, said Li in the "Zooming In" program on the ICAC's website.

In recent years, investigating officers were sent to take part in a number of local and overseas training programs, including courses on financial investigation hosted by law enforcement agencies in Thailand and Singapore and attachment programs at the Metropolitan Police London.

Li added that the Operations Department would benefit from more comprehensive training facilities with the completion of the ICAC's new headquarters building next year.

Meanwhile, the Commission will host the third ICAC Symposium in early May, providing a global forum for cementing co-operation and experience sharing between law enforcement agencies and related organizations across the world.

"However, it is impossible to wipe out corruption completely especially in a highly commercialized city and an international financial center like Hong Kong.

"We will continue to combat vigorously corruption cases in the business and finance sectors to maintain Hong Kong's reputation as a clean city," said Li.

The ICAC received 3,685 corruption reports in 2005, down 2 percent from 2004.

Source: Xinhua