kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Civil service promotes support for DC election and voting together with one heart (29.11.2023)
29.11.2023

​The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, together with representatives from the four civil service central consultative councils and the four major service-wide staff unions, jointly visited a number of floors of the Queensway Government Offices (QGO) today (November 29) to promote the District Council (DC) election to colleagues and appealed to them to cast their votes with their families and friends on December 10. Also taking part in the departmental visits today were the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, colleagues from the Civil Service Bureau, as well as representatives from various government departments. Mr Chan said, "With the new DC election approaching, civil servants have concerted their efforts and are determined to organise a decent election. They also encourage colleagues to vote together with their friends and relatives, so as to discharge their civic responsibility and support and accomodate the Government's governance. Today, together with representatives from the four civil service central consultative councils and the four major service-wide staff unions, I have visited and talked to colleagues from various government departments in the hope of continuing to widely disseminate the important message of supporting the DC election and voting together among civil servants." With only 11 days left before the DC election, bureaux and departments will continue to promote the message of supporting the DC election and voting together among colleagues in their workplace. A number of civil service volunteer teams will also reach out to the districts to strengthen the promotional work and appeal to all electors in Hong Kong to fulfil their civic responsibility and vote enthusiastically to elect DC members with capability, ambition and commitment to join hands in building DCs which work pragmatically for the benefit of the public, and to start a new chapter for good governance at the district level. The DC geographical constituencies, information on candidates, voting arrangements, etc, for the 2023 DC election are available at the thematic website ( www.elections.gov.hk ). The polling hours of DC geographical constituency ordinary polling stations on polling day will be from 8.30am to 10.30pm. Ends/Wednesday, November 29, 2023 Issued at HKT 16:40 NNNN
Third-term Human Resources Planning Commission convenes second meeting (28.11.2023)
28.11.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (November 28) chaired the second meeting of the third-term Human Resources Planning Commission. At the meeting, members were briefed by representatives of policy bureaux on the initiatives regarding manpower development in "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address" and offered their views. Members welcomed the further measures launched under the Government's ongoing strategy of trawling for enterprises as well as attracting and retaining talent to raise Hong Kong's competitiveness. Such measures include implementing the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, relaxing the visa requirements for talent in certain countries, expanding the coverage of universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, launching the Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme, and introducing a stamp duty suspension arrangement for incoming talent's acquisition of residential properties. Members also supported the Government in consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's development of "eight centres" as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan to provide impetus for the city's sustaining economic growth. Meanwhile, members were glad to note the Government's endeavours to address the manpower shortage across various sectors in Hong Kong through training, retraining, employment support, importation of labour, and use of innovation and technology. Members supported that the Government should continue to go all out to promote vocational and professional education and training, expand the vocational talent pool, and develop Hong Kong into an education and talent hub. Members also expressed their views on the implementation of the various measures. Mr Chan said, "The Government accords high priority to training local manpower, attracting and retaining talent, and promoting local employment. The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address sets out an array of initiatives on manpower development accordingly to strengthen Hong Kong's role as the gateway for talent from both the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and overseas. The Government will press ahead with the various initiatives, while expanding the potential labour force continuously, to meet the needs of Hong Kong's economic and social development." Prior to the meeting, Mr Chan led members to appeal to the trade and industrial sectors, the professional services sectors, the labour sector, the academia and members of the public for voting at the District Council (DC) Election on December 10 to fulfil their civic duty. He also called on employers of various sectors to implement flexible work arrangements on the polling day for employees to vote at their designated polling stations, so as to elect capable DC members to act in concert with talent across sectors in building a better community. Ends/Tuesday, November 28, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:08 NNNN
7th Singapore-Hong Kong Permanent Secretaries Exchange Programme concludes successfully (24.11.2023)
24.11.2023

The 7th Singapore-Hong Kong Permanent Secretaries Exchange Programme successfully concluded today (November 24). The two-day Exchange Programme provides an important platform for senior civil servants in the two governments to share views and to strengthen co-operation. This morning, the visiting Singapore delegation of the Exchange Programme met with the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki. Mr Chan welcomed the visit of the Singapore Permanent Secretaries delegation to Hong Kong. He said that with the resumption of full normalcy of Hong Kong and Singapore as they recovered from the pandemic, exchange programmes between the two places have immediately resumed in an orderly manner, demonstrating the strong partnership between the two governments. During the meeting, both sides also exchanged their views and experience on the policy initiatives in building a caring and inclusive society. During the day, the delegation visited the Northern Metropolis and San Tin Technopole, and was briefed on this ambitious project which serves as a new engine for Hong Kong's strategic development in the future. The Singapore Permanent Secretaries then had their bilateral sessions with their Hong Kong counterparts on respective policy areas ranging from civil service, culture and youth, to trade development, communications and information technology. Yesterday (November 23), the delegation had a roundtable discussion with Permanent Secretaries from various government bureaux on three topics of mutual interest, namely youth and talent development, ageing population and public service transformation, in which the top-tier civil servants of the two sides shared experience and expertise. The delegation then met the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, to discuss how Hong Kong and Singapore can further strengthen ties and deepen exchanges on a government-to-government level. The delegation also had a visit to Tai Kwun and the Hong Kong Palace Museum to understand the heritage conservation efforts and experience the cultural glamour of Hong Kong that integrates East and West. The last Exchange Programme was held in Hong Kong on March 14 and 15, 2018, and had since been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July earlier this year, during his visit to Singapore, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong. The two leaders agreed to resume the exchanges between Singapore and Hong Kong civil service, including this Exchange Programme, to renew relations and deepen ties. The current Exchange Programme was joined by six Permanent Secretaries/deputies from Singapore and seven Permanent Secretaries from Hong Kong. Ends/Friday, November 24, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:45 NNNN
DCS joins exchange and visit activity of youth delegation to Mainland comprising youth representatives from Hong Kong and Macao in Beijing (22.11.2023)
22.11.2023

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, and the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, joined an exchange and visit activity of a youth delegation to the Mainland comprising youth representatives from Hong Kong and Macao in Beijing today (November 22). With guidance from the Hong Kong and Macao work office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the exchange and visit activity was jointly organised by the All-China Youth Federation, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, the Macao SAR Government, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR. The delegation joining the activity comprises 150 youth representatives from different sectors in Hong Kong and Macao. They are visiting Beijing from November 19 to 23 to learn about the country's history and culture through first-hand experiences, and deepen their understanding of national affairs and national development. The Vice Premier of the State Council, Mr Ding Xuexiang, accompanied by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong and the First Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, Mr A Dong, met all members of the delegation at the Great Hall of the People. They took pictures and had an exchange session. Mr Cheuk and Mr Leung also attended. Mr Cheuk said, "We encourage young people to engage in exchange programmes and visit more places on the Mainland, so as to become a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, and are equipped with a global perspective and positive thinking. We will continue to enhance the breadth and depth of internship and exchange programmes on the Mainland to further enhance Hong Kong youth's understanding of the country and proactively integrate into the overall development of the country." Mr Cheuk attended a sharing session in the evening and listened to Hong Kong youth representatives sharing their stories during their exchange programme on the Mainland. Mr Cheuk will depart for Hong Kong tomorrow morning (November 23). Ends/Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Issued at HKT 22:04 NNNN
Civil service central consultative councils and service-wide staff unions fully support DC election (21.11.2023)
21.11.2023

​The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, met with representatives from the four civil service central consultative councils and the four major service-wide staff unions this afternoon (November 21) on the District Council (DC) election to be held on December 10. Representatives of the councils and unions all expressed that they will render full support to the DC election and continue to actively encourage civil service colleagues to vote with their families and friends, so as to bring forth new-term DCs that serve the public in a practical manner and improve their livelihood at the district level. Mr Chan said the DC election, as the first large-scale territory-wide election following improvements to the district governance system and reforms to the DCs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), is of utmost significance to the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems" as well as the good governance of the HKSAR. He stressed that the civil service, as a key component of the HKSAR Government's governance system, plays an irreplaceable and important role in governing Hong Kong effectively and maintaining the stability and prosperity of the city. Civil servants shoulder the responsibility of implementing and supporting the HKSAR Government's policy initiatives, and should also lead by example by discharging the civic responsibility of casting their votes in the DC election. Noting that more than 30 000 civil servants will be expected to discharge electoral duties at different posts on the polling day, Mrs Yeung said they must work together to ensure that the election will be open, fair, honest, and conducted in a safe and orderly manner. Arrangements will be made for them to return to their respective constituencies during the day to cast their votes. Mr Chan and Mrs Yeung appealed to all civil service colleagues again to vote, together with their families and friends, on the polling day (December 10) in the hope of electing DC members with talent, aspiration and commitment to build a better community for Hong Kong. Registered electors can visit the DC election website ( www.elections.gov.hk ) for their respective constituencies and information of the candidates. The polling hours of DC geographical constituency ordinary polling stations on the polling day will be from 8.30am to 10.30pm. Ends/Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:57 NNNN
DCS to leave for Beijing (21.11.2023)
21.11.2023

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will leave for Beijing this evening (November 21) to join activities of a youth delegation to the Mainland comprising youth representatives from Hong Kong and Macao tomorrow (November 22). Mr Cheuk will be back to Hong Kong on Thursday (November 23) morning. Ends/Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
Youth Development Commission convenes 14th meeting (2.11.2023)
2.11.2023

​The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the 14th meeting of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) today (November 2). At the meeting, members were briefed by government representatives on initiatives relating to youth development in "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address". Members were pleased to note that the Policy Address has emphasised that the Government will sustain its efforts in promoting youth development and proposed a series of policy measures to broaden young people's horizons, encourage and support youth innovation and entrepreneurship, and strengthen youth engagement so as to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, and are equipped with a global perspective and positive thinking. The Government will continue to push forward the implementation of more than 160 specific actions and measures stated in the Youth Development Blueprint. It also plans to organise the Youth Development Summit in mid-2024 as the opening and highlight of the next Youth Festival, and invite participation of guest speakers and youth groups from the Mainland and overseas. Furthermore, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launched the youth network, namely Youth Link, in September this year. It will study the possibility of utilising suitable facilities to provide Youth Link participants with a platform for constant interaction so as to strengthen youth engagement. Mr Chan said, "Young people are the future, hope and pillars of Hong Kong. The Government will continue to work closely with the YDC and give full play to the YDC's co-ordination role so as to draw the community together to attach importance to youth development. We will strive to effectively implement the various youth development measures stated in the Policy Address and the Youth Development Blueprint, and set the stage for our younger generation to build their future." Ends/Thursday, November 2, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:14 NNNN
Strive and Rise Programme starts recruiting second cohort (27.10.2023)
27.10.2023

The enhanced Strive and Rise Programme has started recruiting the second cohort today (October 27) to provide focused support for more secondary students from underprivileged families. As announced in "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address", the second round of the Strive and Rise Programme will include such new elements as: increasing the number of mentees from 2 800 to 4 000, with an extension to cover Secondary Four students from underprivileged families; enriching the variety of group activities with more Mainland study and exchange tours; introducing mentorship groups; and establishing an Alumni Club for mentees who have completed the Programme to provide them with diversified social activities and internship opportunities. Secondary One to Secondary Four students from underprivileged families, particularly those living in sub-divided units, may approach their schools or the non-governmental organisations that assist the Government in implementing the Programme (see Annex) for enquiries and application starting from today. Applications will close on November 16. The Programme is formulated and implemented by an interdepartmental task force led by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Through tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, the Programme provides focused support for Secondary One to Secondary Four students from underprivileged families, particularly those living in sub-divided units. The Programme comprises three key elements, namely mentorship, personal development plans and financial support. Each mentee will be paired with a volunteer mentor who will share his/her life experience, inspire the mentee to explore more possibilities for personal development, assist the mentee in improving self-confidence, and encourage the mentee to set personal goals in a proactive and positive manner. In addition, the mentors will assist the mentees in developing positive financial planning concepts and provide guidance on ways to make good use of the start-up financial support of $5,000 provided by the Programme to take forward their personal development plans. Upon successful completion of the Programme, a scholarship of $5,000 will be awarded to the mentees for their personal pursuits by applying the financial planning concepts that they have learned. Through a structured programme covering orientation, basic training, diverse group activities, mentor-mentee interactive sessions, etc, the Programme will help mentees broaden horizons, reinforce self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life, set goals for the future and strive for upward mobility. Upon successful completion of the one-year intensive foundation programme, mentees will automatically become members of the Alumni Club for two years. For more information about the application details of the second round of the Programme, please visit the designated website: www.striveandrise.gov.hk . Ends/Friday, October 27, 2023 Issued at HKT 10:00 NNNN
Alert to public on suspicious Facebook page named WH Cheuk Fanpage (18.10.2023)
18.10.2023

A spokesman for the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration's Office today (October 18) alerted members of the public to a suspicious Facebook page named "卓永興WH Cheuk Fanpage". The spokesman solemnly clarified that the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration has no connection with the above suspicious Facebook page. The case has been reported to the Police for handling. Ends/Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:31 NNNN
CS attends Closing Ceremony of 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou (8.10.2023)
8.10.2023

​The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the Closing Ceremony of the 19th Asian Games held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium this evening (October 8). Mr Chan said that the Hong Kong, China Delegation has made great efforts in striving for excellence in this edition of the Asian Games. Their remarkable achievements in winning a total of 53 medals, namely eight golds, 16 silvers and 29 bronzes, a record-breaking total attained by Hong Kong athletes in the Asian Games, have brought glory to the city and pride to all Hong Kong citizens. He also believed that all Hong Kong citizens would be proud of the country's success in presenting to the world a great sporting event that is distinctly Chinese, uniquely Asian and spectacular. Before attending the Closing Ceremony, Mr Chan, accompanied by the Commissioner for Sports of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Mr Sam Wong, went to the athletes' village of the Asian Games and met with the village mayor Li Huolin. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, Mr Chan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Hangzhou for rendering meticulous care to the Hong Kong, China delegation, members of which could thus concentrate on striving for excellence in the Asian Games. After that, they, jointly with the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), Mr Timothy Fok, and the Chef de Mission of the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou, Mr Kenneth Fok, interacted with some Hong Kong athletes in the village. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, Mr Chan expressed his recognition once again of Hong Kong athletes' professional performance and perseverance during the Asian Games, as well as the SF&OC's comprehensive arrangements and support for the Hong Kong, China Delegation. Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (October 9). Ends/Sunday, October 8, 2023 Issued at HKT 22:12 NNNN