Hong Kong Police vowed on Friday night to take a serious view of the hoax bomb found in a metro station and to pursue thoroughly to bringing the offender to justice.

"Hong Kong is a place with rule of law and we will not tolerate anyone to achieve one's end through violent or threatening acts," a Police spokesman said.

"We attach great importance to the case and are mounting comprehensive investigations," he stressed.

Hong Kong Police received a report at around 15:30 (0730 GMT) Friday that a suspicious cylindrical object was found at Causeway Bay Station of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR).

The object was placed on top of a public pay phone in the station's concourse.

Swift actions were taken by Police in response to the call, including cordoning off the vicinity and temporary closure of three exits of Causeway Bay Station.

Officers of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau confirmed that it was a hoax bomb consisting of "Marine Distress Pyrotechnic Signal" approximately six inches in length and 1.5 inches in diameter. Three electrical wires were attached to the external of the cylinder by electrical tape. The device was designed to appear as a hoax bomb.

EOD officers took appropriate action to render the device safe and in the course of it, the pyrotechnic signal partially functioned but caused no damage.

Police warn that making hoax bomb is a serious crime and offenders upon conviction under Section 28 of Public Order Ordinance (Cap. 245) will be liable to a fine of 150,000 HK dollars (about 19,000 US dollars) and five years' imprisonment on indictment.

The public of Hong Kong society were also reminded by the police to stay alert of any suspicious object or person and report to the police whenever appropriate.

Police also appeal to members of the public who has any information to offer to contact the investigating officers of Regional Crime Unit of Hong Kong Island at (852) 2860 7845 or (852) 9464 7288.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)