kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CSB to strengthen training collaboration with Peking University (with photos)
3.3.2023

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, met with a delegation from Peking University led by its President, Mr Gong Qihuang, at the Central Government Offices today (March 3) to exchange views on civil service training of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. Mrs Yeung welcomed the visiting delegation from Peking University. She thanked the University for supporting the training of the civil service over the years and introduced to the delegation the major initiatives of the civil service training. Meanwhile, both sides discussed future collaboration plans. The Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, and the Head of the Civil Service College, Mr Oscar Kwok, also joined the meeting. Mrs Yeung said, "Peking University is a world-renowned institution and a top national university. For many years, the HKSAR Government has regarded Peking University as a key partner for civil service training for the HKSAR and has a history of more than 20 years of co-organising national studies courses with the University. In September last year, Peking University launched a two-year Master's Degree in Public Policy Programme for senior civil servants of the HKSAR Government. Participants are required to attend the programme on a full-time basis at Peking University in the first year, and complete a thesis while working in Hong Kong in their second year for graduation. The Civil Service College will launch an in-depth training programme in collaboration with the Institute for Hong Kong and Macau Studies of Peking University on 'one country, two systems' and contemporary China for directorate officers later this year." The Civil Service Bureau will continue to work closely with Peking University and make ongoing efforts to enhance training for civil servants so as to enhance their understanding of the constitutional order of the HKSAR and the development of the country, and reinforce the patriotic spirit of civil servants.
SCS speaks on Government's first drill under "government-wide mobilisation" level (with videos)
16.2.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, at a media session after the Government's first drill under "government-wide mobilisation" level (February 16): Reporter: What key takeaways has the mobilisation team got in this drill, and how would you personally assess the effectiveness? And for those involved, is there an effective way of the drill? How was it different from the normal drill, like the Police, the firefighters? You mentioned about the number of 10 000 civil servants. Is there a particular reason why that was the number? Secretary for the Civil Service: The difference between this drill and the normal drills conducted by the operations departments is that this drill focuses on communication. The first and most important thing in government-wide level mobilisation is to be able to, within a very short period of time, successfully communicate. The fact that the colleagues are called upon to act, if we cannot do that within a short period, if the communication is not successful, then we will not be able to mobilise the required staff. Communication, whether it is effective, is of utmost importance. So this drill is about communication. It's about how fast the colleagues can be called out. It's about whether they can be successfully contacted during a normal work situation. So this is different from the normal drills that the operations departments conduct in which they mainly practice how to deal with actual situations on the ground. For a situation in which we need to mobilise a large number of government staff, probably it is very extraordinary, and it's very difficult to predict what sort of extraordinary situations, whether it's a pandemic like the COVID-19, or whether it's natural disaster, or whether some other major happenings. But the call, for sure, have to be effective. So this is about the callout. We are involving all government departments and bureaux, and all the government departments and bureaux have to roster their staff to take part at this level of mobilisation. We are estimating that about five per cent of the whole of the civil service and government staff should be mobilised as the first level. So, that is why we are involving about 10 000 staff. Effectiveness, my assessment of it. We are still waiting for reports from departments to come in, but as far as the 300 staff had to gather at the North Point Community Hall by 3pm today, when I was there, I saw that they could all arrive punctually; some well before the required timing and they arrived in a very good shape. They received the notifications successfully, and they knew what was happening. As far as these 300 are concerned, the drill has proven that the communication was effective. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Maternal and Child Health Centre staff reaching parents to brief them on COVID-19 vaccines (with photos)
8.2.2023

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, today (February 8) visited a call centre set up at the Tang Chi Ngong Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC) of the Department of Health (DH) to learn about its staff contacting parents of young children who are service users of MCHCs by phone to proactively brief them on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination and arrange appointments for them to receive vaccination at the MCHCs. The DH takes the initiative to approach parents of young children who have yet to receive vaccination, which is estimated to be about 70 000 persons. For now, Sai Wan Ho, Tang Chi Ngong, Lam Tin, Ma On Shan and Tsing Yi MCHCs provide vaccination service with prior bookings to children aged between 6 months and 4 years with the toddler formulation of the BioNTech vaccine, while Sai Wan Ho, Tang Chi Ngong, Lam Tin, Ma On Shan and Yan Oi MCHCs provide booked Sinovac vaccination service to children aged between 6 months and 4 years. Parents can also have their young children receive the Sinovac vaccine at 28 MCHCs of the DH when they receive services there. Mrs Yeung was briefed by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, on the related services and chatted with the frontline staff who are responsible for calling the parents to know more about their work processes. She said, "Children have weaker resistance to diseases, but the first dose vaccination rate for children aged below 3 is only about 25 per cent and growing at a slow rate. Hong Kong has entered a new phase of epidemic response and the society is resuming full normalcy. But in the process for the resumption, parents should protect their young children and arrange vaccination for them as early as possible. "MCHCs play an important role in protecting children's health. They provide different kinds of immunisation to children from birth to protect against diseases. Just like the way to cope with other diseases, young children also need protection conferred by the COVID-19 vaccine. I hope that the action taken by the DH to contact the parents can proactively answer their questions regarding COVID-19 vaccination, eliminate their misunderstanding or worries and ease the concerns of the parents who are still hesitant, so that they will arrange COVID-19 vaccination for their children as soon as possible." Parents or guardians can make appointments for their young children to receive vaccination through the booking system of the designated website of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme ( booking.covidvaccine.gov.hk ). The designated website ( www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/programme ) also provides the latest information including details on vaccination venues, reservations and enquiry hotlines.
Civil Service College holds third seminar of "Dialogue with Experts" series (with photos)
17.1.2023

The Civil Service College held today (January 17) the third seminar of the "Dialogue with Experts" seminar series on the topic of "Leadership in New Era - Move with Times with Agility" for directorate and senior civil servants. Veteran media professional Ms Chan Suk-mei served as the moderator of the seminar today. The two speakers were Professor of Practice in Management and Strategy of the HKU Business School and former Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr Philip Chen, and the Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Mr Henry Fan. Addressing the seminar, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said that Hong Kong is at a critical juncture in moving from stability to greater prosperity, and that the public has rising demands and expectations on the civil service. Dedicated to fulfilling their duties, the civil service should also move with the times to provide new and enhanced services, strive for excellence, and thoroughly pursue the result-oriented approach to policy implementation suggested by the Chief Executive, so as to open a new chapter for Hong Kong and contribute to its integration into the national development of the country. She hoped that the seminar could help enlighten civil servants on how to devise better and timely policies and services that flexibly cater for the needs of society and the public, truly responding to the people's needs. ã By bringing together experts, scholars and leaders from different sectors to discuss important issues affecting the global landscape and social development through multiple lenses, the "Dialogue with Experts" seminar series enables civil servants to broaden their horizons, gain inspiration, get in touch with the pulse of the community more closely, and enhance their leadership and management capabilities. During the seminar today, the speakers shared with participants their experiences in leading their organisations in the public and private sectors to move with the ever-changing environment amid the pandemic situations. They also engaged in a discussion and exchanged views with participants. The seminar took place in the Civil Service College at the North Point Government Offices, and was attended by around 110 civil servants in the directorate and senior ranks.
Civil Service Bureau promulgates updated Civil Service Code
7.6.2024

The Civil Service Bureau issued a circular to all civil servants today (June 7) promulgating the updated Civil Service Code. The updated Code clearly spells out the constitutional order of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the constitutional roles and responsibilities of civil servants as members of the executive authorities, and the core values and standards of conduct that civil servants should uphold. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, "We have completed the consultation on updating the Code in January this year. Most of the views received supported updating the Code. Having considered the views of various stakeholders, including civil service central consultative councils, staff unions and individual civil servants, we have finalised and promulgated the updated Code. As the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect in March this year, we have also set out the relevant parts in the updated Code." The updated Code spells out the 12 core values that civil servants should uphold, including upholding the constitutional order and national security; people-oriented; passion for public service; dedication to duty; commitment to the rule of law; integrity; political neutrality; professionalism; team spirit; outcome-focused; accountability for performance; and confidentiality. In addition, civil servants must follow the standards of conduct that conform to the updated Code and meet the expectations of society. The updated Code takes effect immediately. All civil servants and other government employees (including Non-Civil Service Contract staff, Post-retirement Service Contract staff and staff appointed on other non-civil service terms) must observe the Code. Mrs Yeung said, "The Government is committed to enhancing civil servants' awareness of national security and establishing a set of shared values and standards of conduct for the civil service. Following the promulgation of the updated Code, we will commence promotion, explanatory and training works by phases, including inviting Heads of Departments to conduct sharing sessions, holding roving exhibitions at various government offices, and including the content of the updated Code in the training for civil servants at various levels, in order to enhance civil servants' understanding of the updated Code." The updated Code is available on the Civil Service Bureau's website ( www.csb.gov.hk ).
Transcript of remarks by SCS on civil service pay offers at media session (with video)
4.6.2024

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, at a media session on offers of the 2024-25 civil service pay adjustment at the Central Government Offices this afternoon (June 4): Reporter: So can you recap in English why the salary increase is just three per cent, which is lower than the pay trend survey, and why the increase rates are the same for every rank of civil servants? Secretary for the Civil Service: The Executive Council has, in accordance with the mechanism governing the adjustment of civil service pay, considered six factors, namely the state of Hong Kong's economy, changes in the cost of living, the net pay trend indicators, the Government's fiscal position, the pay claims of the staff side, as well as the morale of the civil servants. We believe that this is a balanced decision taking into account all those six factors and the specific circumstances of this year. We note that the pay offers are some way behind the net pay trend indicators, but given all the six factors taking into consideration as a whole, we believe that this is an appropriate decision for this year. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SCS visits Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (with photos)
29.5.2024

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) this afternoon (May 29) to learn more about the department's work on rodent prevention and control, hawker control, water seepage investigation, prosecution, licensing and public education. She also toured the Water Seepage Resource Centre and the Restaurant Licensing Resource Centre, both located at the Pei Ho Street Municipal Services Building in Sham Shui Po, where she also had an exchange of views with staff representatives from various grades in the department. Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, Mrs Yeung first met with the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Ms Irene Young, and the directorate staff to receive an update on the department's latest developments in various areas of work and the challenges they are confronting. As environmental hygiene is one of the main issues of district governance, Mrs Yeung encouraged the FEHD colleagues to strive to improve environmental hygiene and street management with a people-oriented spirit, and to utilise innovative technologies to enhance work efficiency in serving the public better. Anti-rodent work is one of the key tasks of the FEHD. The FEHD staff demonstrated to Mrs Yeung how the alcohol rodent trapping device introduced last year can trap rodents effectively and also introduced the use of thermal imaging cameras with artificial intelligence technology to track rodent activities. With higher sensitivity and precision of this technology, the FEHD will take targeted anti-rodent actions based on the survey results, and deploy more effective anti-rodent actions in black spots. She then visited the Water Seepage Resource Centre and the Restaurant Licensing Resource Centre, which are open to the public, to learn more about the two centres that provide to the public with information on water seepage, food business and other trade licensing matters. Mrs Yeung subsequently visited the Prosecution Section and the Licensing Section of Kowloon and was introduced by the staff on the use of information and technology to streamline the workflow in handling prosecution case information and to reduce the manual process of calculating the area of food premises, with a view to enhancing work efficiency. Mrs Yeung visited the Hawker Control Team in the district and was briefed by a team member on the enforcement situation in regulating hawking activities and combating illegal extension of business area by shops, as well as how the body-worn video camera equipped to the Hawker Control Team can record the on-site situation when necessary in the course of discharging their duties more effectively and safeguarding the safety of the public and staff.
Civil Service College and Peking University's joint programme holds lecture on "Artificial General Intelligence: Frontiers, Trends, Paradigm, and Strategy" (with photos)
21.5.2024

The Civil Service College (CSC), in collaboration with the Institute for Hong Kong and Macau Studies, Peking University, launched an in-depth programme on "one country, two systems" and contemporary China. As part of the programme, a lecture on the topic of "Artificial General Intelligence: Frontiers, Trends, Paradigm, and Strategy" was delivered by the Dean of the School of Intelligence Science and Technology of Peking University, Professor Zhu Songchun, at the CSC today (May 21). Addressing the lecture, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said that the development of "new quality productive forces" will open up deeper and broader development space for Hong Kong. With its unique advantages of strong support of the motherland and close connections with the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong integrates closely with the international community. Coupled with its high standards in scientific research, the city attracts a wealth of research and professional talent, contributing to the country's high-quality development. Civil servants of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government should embrace Hong Kong's role in developing "new quality productive forces", and stay abreast of the innovation and technology development strategy of the country. They should also actively promote the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and complement the implementation of the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's overall competitiveness and injecting impetus into its development. Around 70 civil servants at the rank of Directorate Pay Scale Point 1 and 2 attended the programme. In addition, about 130 politically appointed officials and other directorate officers enrolled and sat in on the lecture via video conferencing. The programme was organised to further strengthen training for senior officials and directorate civil servants. It consists of 12 monthly lectures covering a wide range of topics, such as the Communist Party of China and contemporary China, socialism with Chinese characteristics, the theory and practice of "one country, two systems", as well as developments in contemporary Chinese society, economy, national defence, technology, and more. Distinguished scholars from the Mainland will deliver the programme and engage in in-depth discussions with participants.
Civil Service College and Peking University's joint programme holds lecture (with photos)
19.3.2024

The Civil Service College (CSC), in collaboration with the Institute for Hong Kong and Macau Studies, Peking University, launched an in-depth programme on "one country, two systems" and contemporary China. As part of the programme, a lecture on the topic of "Confucianism and Daoism: Goodness and Blank-leaving" was delivered by Vice President of the Peking University Professor Wang Bo at the CSC today (March 19). Addressing the lecture, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said that the Chief Executive had announced in his 2023 Policy Address that the Government will roll out patriotic education to enhance education on the country's history, culture, and current affairs on different fronts, including the promotion of Chinese culture to ensure its continuity from generation to generation. Mrs Yeung emphasised that the civil service, as an integral part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s governance system and bearing the responsibility and mission of supporting the administration of the HKSAR Government, should all the more be staunch patriots. The CSC will continue to enhance training and actively promote patriotic education throughout the civil service, strengthening civil servants' understanding of the country's history as well as their appreciation for and recognition of Chinese culture. Around 70 civil servants at the rank of Directorate Pay Scale Point 1 and 2 attended the programme. In addition, about 100 politically appointed officials and other directorate officers enrolled and sat in on the lecture via video conferencing. The programme was organised to further strengthen training for senior officials and directorate civil servants. It consists of 12 monthly lectures covering a wide range of topics, such as the Communist Party of China and contemporary China, socialism with Chinese characteristics, the theory and practice of "one country, two systems", as well as developments in contemporary Chinese society, economy, national defence, technology, and more. Distinguished scholars from the Mainland will deliver the programme and engage in thorough discussions with participants.
Civil Service College and Peking University's joint programme holds lecture on "International Strategy and National Defence Policy" (with photos)
26.2.2024

The Civil Service College (CSC), in collaboration with the Institute for Hong Kong and Macau Studies, Peking University, launched an in-depth programme on "one country, two systems" and contemporary China. As part of the programme, a lecture on the topic of "International Strategy and National Defence Policy" was delivered by the President of the Peking University's Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Professor Yu Tiejun, at the CSC today (February 26). Addressing the lecture, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said that Hong Kong plays a critical role in the country's foreign strategy, bearing a significant responsibility in safeguarding national security. The legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law, which is to be completed within this year, along with the Hong Kong National Security Law, will together establish a robust defence for national security. This will further strengthen the foundation for the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", ensuring that Hong Kong continues to thrive as an attractive and competitive international city. As the backbone of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, civil servants must actively support the HKSAR Government in fulfilling its constitutional duty, improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, so as to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests in the face of a complex global environment. Around 70 civil servants at the rank of Directorate Pay Scale Point 1 and 2 attended the in-depth programme. In addition, about 100 politically appointed officials and other directorate officers enrolled and sat in on the lecture via video conferencing. The programme was organised to further strengthen training for senior officials and directorate civil servants. It consists of 12 monthly lectures covering a wide range of topics, such as the Communist Party of China and contemporary China, socialism with Chinese characteristics, the theory and practice of "one country, two systems", as well as developments in contemporary Chinese society, economy, national defence, technology, and more. Distinguished scholars from the Mainland will deliver the programme and engage in in-depth discussions with participants.