kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SCS leads Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments to conduct study and duty visit in Beijing and Hangzhou (with photos)
27.6.2023

The delegation of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on a study and duty visit led by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, completed the study programme at the National Academy of Governance (NAG) this morning (June 27). They arrived in Zhejiang Province in the afternoon and visited the 1954 Constitution Archives Exhibition Hall. The Director of the China Institute of Fudan University, Professor Zhang Weiwei, gave a lecture on China's democratic politics to the participants so as to let them have an in-depth understanding of the country's unique system to achieve substantive democracy, good governance and stable and sustainable development. After completing the study programme, Vice President of the NAG Mr Gong Weibin, attended and delivered a speech at the closing ceremony. In the afternoon, Mrs Yeung and the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments visited the 1954 Constitution Archives Exhibition Hall in Hangzhou. It is the place where the 1954 Constitution, the first Constitution of the People's Republic of China, was drafted. She said the Constitution is the fundamental law of the state. Civil servants of the HKSAR must have a grasp of the Constitution of the country and accurately understand and safeguard the constitutional order established under the Constitution and the Basic Law. The senior civil servants should set themselves as good examples in this regard. The delegation will obtain a deeper understanding of the practical experience of grassroots governance and common prosperity in Zhejiang Province tomorrow (June 28).
HKSAR Government's Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments formally start study programme (with photos)
26.6.2023

âA delegation of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for study and duty visit formally started their study programme at the National Academy of Governance (NAG) this morning (June 26). The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO), Mr Xia Baolong, had a meeting with the delegation participants this afternoon. The Executive Vice President of the NAG in charge of daily operations, Mr Xie Chuntao, and Deputy Director of the HKMAO Mr Wang Linggui, attended and delivered speeches at the opening ceremony for the study programme, marking the resumption of the study programme for the most senior colleagues in the civil service of the HKSAR Government since 2018. The leader of the delegation, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said Hong Kong is now in a new phase of advancing from stability to prosperity. The civil service is the backbone of the HKSAR Government, while Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments are the core of the civil service of the HKSAR Government. It is most timely for them to come to the NAG to receive training at this critical period and she hoped that the participants will seize this learning opportunity. She added that the NAG's training could reinforce the participants' understanding of the country's important policies and future development strategies, helping them formulate and implement future policies and initiatives and obtain a deeper understanding on how Hong Kong can better integrate into national development. After the ceremony, vice-dean of National Security College at National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army, Major General Tang Yongsheng, and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of the space station system of the China Manned Space Program, Mr Yang Hong, gave lectures to the participants on national security and the national manned space programme respectively. Meanwhile, Deputy Director of the HKMAO Mr Wang Linggui, delivered a lecture on Chinese-style modernisation to the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments of the HKSAR Government. The Secretary for the Civil Service yesterday led a delegation of more than 20 Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments of the HKSAR Government to Beijing and Zhejiang Province for a six-day study and duty visit. This arrangement was made after the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland and the full resumption to normalcy of society for Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments to study on the Mainland following the one in 2018. It also has the largest number of participants ever. The delegation will continue the study at the NAG tomorrow morning, and depart for Zhejiang Province for duty visit tomorrow afternoon.
SCS to lead Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments to Mainland for study and duty visit
24.6.2023

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, will lead a delegation of more than 20 Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments to Beijing and Zhejiang Province tomorrow (June 25) for a study programme and duty visit. In the light of the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and the full resumption to normalcy of society, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been actively striving the early organisation of a delegation of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments to study, train and pay visits on the Mainland following the one in 2018. This group study activity, which has the largest number of participants ever, is of great significance and sets a good example to the civil service in attaching great importance to national studies. The trip aims to enable the most senior colleagues in the civil service of the HKSAR Government to reinforce their understanding of the country's important policies and future development strategies through the study programme and duty visit, which will help them formulate and implement policies and initiatives to foster Hong Kong's integration into national development. The delegation will attend national studies at the National Academy of Governance in Beijing, and proceed to Zhejiang Province for duty visit on June 27 to obtain a deeper understanding of the practical experience of grassroots governance and common prosperity, as well as the preparatory work for the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games. The delegation will depart Hangzhou for Hong Kong on June 30.
Transcript of remarks by SCS on civil service pay offer at media session (with video)
6.6.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, at a media session on offers of 2023-24 civil service pay adjustment at the Central Government Offices this afternoon (June 6): Reporter: Because unions are calling for an across-the-board 5 per cent pay rise for civil servants, so why is the Government deciding to raise the pay like this this time? And also because you mentioned that factors of previous years won't affect this year's pay rise as well, so how about inflation? And also do you think this is enough to attract new people joining the civil service jobs? Secretary for the Civil Service: The Chief Executive (CE)-in-Council considers all six factors in coming to a decision on civil service pay adjustment every year. This year is no exception. The CE-in-Council has considered all six factors and has taken a balanced view. On past considerations, every year, the CE-in-Council makes a decision based on all the six factors and therefore, in the year following, the factors in the previous year, which had been taken into account already, would not be considered again. Every year, the CE-in-Council makes a new decision. On the point of inflation, every year, the CE-in-Council takes into consideration the change in cost of living. Last year, it had been taken into account; this year, again the new figures have been taken into account. So every year, the cost of living has been duly considered by the CE-in-Council. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SCS speaks on civil service recruitment (with photos/video)
1.6.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, at a media session on civil service recruitment at the Central Government Offices this morning (June 1): Reporter: Secretary, two questions. So you mentioned apart from meeting all the conditions, such as obtaining the degree within a certain period of time, students with advanced conditional offers can then join the Government immediately upon graduation. Can you explain further on what other conditions or qualifications the candidates need to obtain and need to be fulfilled? The second question is how likely do you think the new scheme can entice candidates from the private market given that the recruitment process is similar to the existing one? Secretary for the Civil Service: For the conditions to be imposed on our conditional offer, it really differs from job to job. Different jobs have different requirements. So I can't really give you an exhaustive list here. But for example, this is just an example, for some disciplined service jobs, they would have a fitness requirement. Of course, in the recruitment process, the candidates would have to satisfy the physical fitness requirement, but since there is a considerable period of time between the recruitment and the actual reporting for duty, the disciplined services may require the candidate to be able to satisfy the physical fitness requirement again when they are ready for duty, so this may be one of the conditions. And also for all civil service jobs, we require civil servants to have a high degree of integrity and to have good conduct. So students who have been given a conditional offer have to satisfy the condition that their integrity and conduct remain good for the time between their acceptance of offer and the actual reporting of duty. And of course, as a civil servant, when they have become a civil servant, they have to maintain a high standard of integrity as well. For your second question, this initiative is not really to snatch people from the private sector, but to give greater certainty to those university undergraduates who before their final year have already made up their minds that they want a career in the civil service. It's to give greater certainty for them. It's to enable them to prepare themselves better for civil service jobs. And this is also a measure that has been in practice in the private sector for long. So we are simply catching up. We are simply doing what the private sector is doing as well. It's not really to target a particular source, but we are trying to give more certainty to young people who want to join the civil service. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SCS grieves over passing of Field Assistant
12.5.2023

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, today (May 12) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Field Assistant of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) Mr Ng Kwok-pui during his work at Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau South Country Park. She extended her deepest condolences to Mr Ng's family. Mr Ng had served the AFCD for more than four decades and then worked in the department under the Post-retirement Service Contract Scheme. The Civil Service Bureau is in contact with the AFCD to make every effort to help the family during this sad and difficult period.
SCS visits Highways Department (with photos)
8.5.2023

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the headquarters of the Highways Department (HyD) today (May 8) to gain an understanding of the daily operations of the Major Works Project Management Office (MWPMO), which is responsible for managing and planning various major highway projects and the operations of the New Territories Emergency Control Centre. Mrs Yeung and the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, were briefed by the Director of Highways, Mr Jimmy Chan, and the directorate staff on the department's latest developments. They also met with staff representatives of various grades to exchange views on matters that concern them. During the staff meeting, Mrs Yeung mentioned the proposals on improving governance at the district level announced last week. She said the HyD is one of the departments in frequent contact with the District Councils, and that strengthening the district governance structure can make the Government's work at the district level more effective. For implementation of projects or planning at the district level in the past, departments encountered "fragmented" opinions and demands raised by district councillors concerning particular small constituency areas, while the HyD also faced the same situation. If the district affairs can be taken care of from a more macro perspective in future, it can pave the way for better planning of projects or services and enhance the effectiveness in district governance, benefiting the people of Hong Kong in the end. The staff at the MWPMO introduced to Mrs Yeung the application of the Building Information Modelling in the Central Kowloon Route (CKR) project, including the display of project designs and working environment at construction sites by 3D imagery to assist in planning throughout the construction process and enhance management. They also introduced to Mrs Yeung the Smart Site Management Hub developed under the CKR project which enables project teams to keep track of site conditions in real time so as to facilitate project management. Mrs Yeung said, "Highly accessible road and railway networks not only can facilitate economic development but also improve community environments and people's quality of life. I hope that colleagues would continue to uphold the citizen-oriented service ethos. Whether it is for expansion of the road and railway networks or maintenance of existing roads, or handling of unforeseen situations on the roads, we must meet the pressing needs of the public, serve the public in a pragmatic manner, and facilitate commuting by members of the public." During the visit, she also called on the New Territories Emergency Control Centre to learn how the Centre co-ordinates with the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the Transport Department to monitor the latest conditions of major public roads in real time during inclement weather and take prompt action to clear obstructions on roads when necessary so as to maintain smooth traffic flows and protect the safety of road users.
SCS continues visit in Beijing (with photos)
27.4.2023

âThe Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, continued her visit in Beijing today (April 27). She called on the Executive Vice President of the National Academy of Governance (NAG), Mr Xie Chuntao, in the morning. Mrs Yeung introduced to Mr Xie and Vice President of the NAG, Mr Gong Weibin, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's plan to resume its national studies training programmes for civil servants after the epidemic and exchanged views on mutual co-operation. She also had a work meeting with the Director-General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the NAG, Ms Dong Qing, and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao International Training Center of the NAG, Mr Xie Yutong. Mrs Yeung said the Academy was a key partner for civil service training for the HKSAR. Being the highest institution for training civil servants, the NAG had nurtured many talents of governance for the country. Since 1999, the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) had co-organised national studies courses with the NAG and arranged for directorate civil servants and Administrative Officers to undergo training there. Nearly 1 400 senior civil servants had received training in the Academy over the years. Mrs Yeung thanked the NAG for its long-term support for the CSB's training work and expressed that the CSB would continue to work closely with the Academy. All physical training and exchange activities for civil servants on the Mainland had been suspended in the past three years due to the epidemic. The CSB plans to gradually resume its national studies programmes held on the Mainland in the second half of this year and is discussing the detailed arrangements with Mainland partner institutions. Arrangements for middle and senior-level civil servants to attend training programmes, thematic visits and staff exchange programmes on the Mainland will be the first to be resumed. Mrs Yeung also called on the HKSAR Basic Law Committee under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. She met with the Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission and the HKSAR Basic Law Committee under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Shen Chunyao, to exchange views on strengthening civil service training and future development directions. She also briefed Mr Shen on the key initiatives for the training on the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law in the HKSAR. Mrs Yeung then met with the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Nong Rong, to exchange views on the next stage of training programme in the country's foreign affairs for HKSAR civil servants. Mrs Yeung will continue her last day of visit in Beijing tomorrow (April 28) and call on Peking University.
SCS begins Beijing visit (with photos)
26.4.2023

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, began her visit in Beijing today (April 26). She called on the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO), Mr Xia Baolong, in the morning. Mr Xia fully recognised the work of the civil servants in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, encouraging and earnestly hoping that the civil service will continue to fully support the Chief Executive in the administration of the HKSAR. Mrs Yeung gave Mr Xia an overview of the latest situation of civil service matters in the HKSAR Government. She said the civil service is the backbone of the HKSAR Government and the Civil Service Bureau will enhance civil service management and strengthen civil service training, with a view to implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and fully, faithfully and resolutely upholding the "one country, two systems" principle. In the afternoon, Mrs Yeung met with the President of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, Mr Deng Zhonghua, to update him on the latest developments of the Civil Service College and explore room for mutual collaboration. She also briefed him on training for civil servants of the HKSAR on the Constitution, the Basic Law, the National Security Law and national affairs. They also exchanged views on enhancing training. In the evening, Mrs Yeung, the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, and the Director of the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing, Mr Rex Chang, met with Hong Kong students studying in the higher education institutions in the capital in Wangfujing to learn more about their life in Beijing and future career aspirations. During their conversation, she also introduced to the students the civil service recruitment in Hong Kong and welcomed those who aspired to serve the public to apply for civil service posts after graduation. Meanwhile, she encouraged the students to continue their proactive learning path on the Mainland and contribute their best to meet the needs of society in time. Mrs Yeung will continue her visit in Beijing tomorrow (April 27).
SCS to visit Beijing
24.4.2023

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, will depart for Beijing tomorrow evening (April 25). During her visit in Beijing, Mrs Yeung will call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee under the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She will also visit the National Academy of Governance, Peking University, and the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies to enhance exchange and co-operation on civil service training. The Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, will also join the visit. They will return to Hong Kong in the evening on April 28.
SCS visits Civil Aviation Department (with photos)
4.4.2023

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) Headquarters today (April 4) to get an update on its latest developments and listen to the views of its staff. She encouraged the CAD staff to exert all efforts to provide a safe, efficient and sustainable air transport system for Hong Kong and support the city to fully leverage its unique advantage of being closely connected to the world. Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, Mrs Yeung was briefed by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu, and the directorate staff on the department's latest position and challenges in the regulation of aviation safety and air navigation services for the flights. They also met with staff representatives of various grades to exchange views on matters that concern them. Mrs Yeung said, "Hong Kong launched the large-scale global promotional campaign 'Hello Hong Kong' and is seamlessly connected to the rest of the world. The CAD plays an important role in ensuring the safe and orderly operation of flights and transit, as well as making preparation to keep up the momentum of the city's development and capitalise on its unique advantage of being closely connected to the world. Meanwhile, the Government is pressing ahead with the 'Airport City' development strategy, under which Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) will be developed into a node of various economic activities with aviation as its core business. With the addition of new developments and new functions, HKIA will drive the economic growth of Hong Kong as well as its neighbouring regions." The entire Three-runway System, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, will significantly boost passenger and cargo traffic capacities of HKIA. Mrs Yeung said colleagues have to progress with the times and make all-out efforts to promote the development of the aviation industry. During the visit, Mrs Yeung also toured the Air Traffic Control Tower in the airport restricted area and was briefed by colleagues on duty on their daily work, which includes how to provide appropriate instructions through radar display system and communication equipment to pilots to guide their aircraft entering and leaving Hong Kong's airspace safely and efficiently.