kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CSB organises second seminar on "Understanding the Constitutional Order and Safeguarding National Security" (with photos)
9.8.2021

The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) is running a series of seminars for directorate and senior civil servants under the theme of "Understanding the Constitutional Order and Safeguarding National Security". Further to the first seminar on July 9, covering the topic of "The Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law", the second seminar, which covers the topic of "The implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems' and the Basic Law" took place today (August 9). The seminar was delivered by Vice-Chairperson of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Ms Maria Tam, and member of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee Mr Johnny Mok, SC. The seminar covered the core spirit of the Basic Law, the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and the importance and necessity of improving the electoral system of the HKSAR. Addressing the seminar, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, quoted the important remarks made by Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Xia Baolong, in February this year, that "(t)o ensure the steady and sustained implementation of 'one country, two systems' and keep it on the right path, it is imperative for the administrators of Hong Kong to fully and faithfully understand and implement the policy". Mr Nip stressed that "The civil service is the backbone of the HKSAR Government, shouldering the responsibilities of thoroughly implementing 'one country, two systems' and supporting the HKSAR Government in the administration of Hong Kong. It is of utmost importance for civil servants to understand accurately the constitutional order established under the Constitution of our country and the Basic Law. With the country's development moving ahead in the new era and the implementation of 'one country, two systems' turning a new chapter, civil servants must enhance their knowledge and have an accurate understanding of the core essence of 'one country, two systems', so as to support the HKSAR Government in fully implementing the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' and ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems' ". The seminar was attended by around 480 civil servants in the directorate and senior ranks. In view of the large number of participants, some participants took part in the seminar through simulcast at the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library. The third seminar of the series will be held in September. It will cover the theme of safeguarding national security and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, and have Ms Elsie Leung, former Vice-Chairperson of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee, as the speaker.
Government's outreach team provides vaccination service to elderly in Sham Shui Po (with photos)
7.8.2021

Two hundred and ten elderly persons from Sham Shui Po joined a health talk and vaccination event at Cheung Sha Wan Sports Centre organised by a group in the district today (August 7) to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines. Voluntary healthcare workers were on the spot to answer questions from them. The Government's outreach vaccination team provided vaccination service to the elderly persons who opted for the Sinovac vaccine at a temporary vaccination area specially set up at the sports centre. Those who opted for BioNTech vaccine were taken by pre-arranged transport to a nearby Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) for vaccination. Attending the event, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, encouraged elderly persons to learn more about the benefits and importance of getting vaccinated. "The elderly are the group of persons that we want to protect the most as they have the highest risks of complications and death from COVID-19. Experts recommend that all elderly people who have previously received influenza vaccines can safely receive COVID-19 vaccines. If the elderly have chronic diseases, they should get vaccinated as soon as possible for protection when their condition is stable," Mr Nip said. "I am grateful to the organiser and the district organisations as they care about the health of the elderly. I believe that such 'one-stop' arrangement of providing talks, question and answer sessions and vaccination service will not only enhance elderly persons' understanding of the vaccines and ease their concerns, but also facilitate them to get vaccinated. This is the first time that the outreach service team has participated as a trial in such 'one-stop' arrangement. I hope that groups will organise activities to encourage and help elderly persons to get vaccinated." "Under the threat of the COVID-19 virus and its mutant strains, it is an obvious choice for elderly persons to get vaccinated so as to protect themselves and others. Currently, persons aged 70 or above can get same-day tickets at more than 20 CVCs to receive vaccination. This arrangement will be extended to persons aged 60 or above shortly." Mr Nip expressed his gratitude to the voluntary healthcare workers and the Department of Health's Visiting Health Team for holding the talk, and the medical team and administrative support staff of the CVC at Tin Fai Road Sports Centre for providing the outreach service today. Today's event was organised by a group in the district with the participation by a number of other district organisations.
Outreach COVID-19 vaccination service team goes into shopping mall (with photos)
5.8.2021

The Government's outreach vaccination team provided a vaccination service to tenants of a shopping mall and office complex at a temporary vaccination area set up in a large shopping mall in Kwun Tong today (August 5). The team also provided a walk-in service to let some members of the public receive the BioNTech vaccine without prior booking. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, and Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties Mr Christopher Kwok jointly viewed the administering of the vaccine to members of the public and tenants there. They also presented prizes to winners of a lucky draw organised by the company to encourage the public to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Mr Nip said, "I am grateful to the shopping mall for providing a venue, which enabled the provision of the COVID-19 vaccination service today, and for joining hands with the Government in promoting the 'Early Vaccination for All' campaign to help build an immune barrier in Hong Kong as soon as possible by significantly raising the vaccination rate. "This is the first time that our outreach service team has provided a COVID-19 vaccination walk-in service at a shopping mall to allow some persons who wanted to get vaccinated to do so immediately without prior booking. With the disbursement of the consumption vouchers, some may use their vouchers at shopping centres. I hope that while they go shopping, they can also realise the importance and urgency of getting vaccinated." Nearly 300 persons including tenants of the shopping mall and office complex received the BioNTech vaccine at the vaccination area today. There has been enthusiastic support for the outreach vaccination service since it was launched by the Civil Service Bureau. The bureau has provided the outreach vaccination service to the Hong Kong Sports Institute, global professional services enterprises, property developers, financial institutions, a television broadcaster, the construction industry, public utilities, a property management company, universities, a theme park, insurance enterprises and a district organisation. Mr Nip expressed his gratitude to the medical team and administrative support staff of the Community Vaccination Centre at Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre for providing the outreach service today.
SCS: Let's encourage family members and friends to get vaccinated (with photos)
3.8.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, visited AIA Hong Kong and Macau today (August 3). During the visit, he and the Chief Executive Officer of the enterprise, Mr Alger Fung, jointly viewed the administering of the BioNTech vaccine to about 400 persons as arranged by the Government's outreach vaccination service. "It is encouraging to see that various enterprises have joined hands with the Government in promoting the 'Early Vaccination for All' campaign and called on their employees to receive vaccination. I hope that people who get vaccinated will also encourage their family members and friends to receive vaccination so that we can work together to build an immune barrier in Hong Kong," Mr Nip said. There has been enthusiastic support for the outreach vaccination programme since it was launched by the Civil Service Bureau. The bureau has provided the outreach vaccination service to the Hong Kong Sports Institute, global professional services enterprises, property developers, financial institutions, a television broadcaster, the construction industry, public utilities, a property management company, universities, a theme park, insurance enterprises, a consulate and a district organisation. Mr Nip expressed his gratitude to the medical team and administrative support staff of the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre for providing the outreach service today. Members of the public can make reservations through the online booking system on the designated website of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme ( www.covidvaccine.gov.hk ) for receiving vaccines at 29 CVCs and 26 general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority. They can also make appointments for vaccination with private doctors or clinics participating in the programme.
Indonesians staying in Hong Kong support outreach COVID-19 vaccination service (with photos) 
1.8.2021

A total of 266 Indonesian people, under the arrangement of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong, today (August 1) received the Sinovac vaccine at a hotel in Causeway Bay through the Government's outreach vaccination service. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, together with the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong, Mr Ricky Suhendar, jointly viewed the outreach arrangements as well as the vaccination situation. As today is Sunday, they also took the opportunity to encourage the Indonesian community and other ethnic minorities at Victoria Park to get vaccinated so as to protect themselves and others. Mr Nip said, "It is very important to have the support of Indonesian residents as well as other ethnic minority people in Hong Kong to enhance Hong Kong's overall anti-epidemic capability. Many Indonesians working in Hong Kong may need to take care of young children or elderly persons at their employers' residence. If those working at the homes of families with young children and unvaccinated elderly persons get vaccinated, it will help build a protective barrier in the families. I encourage foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) who have not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. " Dr Law said, "Up till now, more than 219 000 FDHs have already taken the first dose of vaccination, accounting for nearly 58% of the FDH population in Hong Kong. I urge all FDHs in Hong Kong to receive vaccination as soon as possible in order to protect themselves, their employers' families and others. The vaccination will also give them better protection when they need to proceed on home leave." Mr Nip also appealed to those getting vaccinated at the venue to tell their friends about the channels and benefits of receiving COVID-19 vaccines, and to maintain personal hygiene as well as keep up social distancing so as to reduce the risk of virus transmission in Hong Kong. To enable people from ethnic minorities to receive the latest news and information on COVID-19 vaccines, the designated website ( www.covidvaccine.gov.hk ) launched by the Government is available in different languages to introduce the vaccination programme, the vaccines' protection, essential facts and more. There has been enthusiastic support for the outreach vaccination service since it was launched by the Civil Service Bureau. The bureau has provided the outreach vaccination service to the Hong Kong Sports Institute, global professional services enterprises, property developers, financial institutions, a television broadcaster, the construction industry, public utilities, property management companies, universities, a theme park, insurance enterprises and a district organisation. Mr Nip expressed his gratitude to the medical team and administrative support staff of the Community Vaccination Centre at Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre for providing the outreach service today.
SCS visits Census and Statistics Department (with photos)
29.7.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, today (July 29) visited the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) to learn more about the work of the Census Service Centre (CSC) and to show support for colleagues working at the centre. Mr Nip first met with the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Ms Marion Chan, to receive an update on the department's work regarding the 2021 Population Census, learning that many people had opted to complete the questionnaire online during the epidemic. He then visited the CSC to meet with colleagues working there to learn about their work including conducting telephone interviews, answering public enquiries and making appointments for face-to-face interviews. Mr Nip said he was pleased to learn that in order to assist ethnic minorities in completing the Census questionnaire, simultaneous interpretation (SI) services in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Nepali are put in place at the CSC for the Pakistanis, Indians and Nepalese people in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, service centres have also been set up in Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon City, Yuen Long, Kwai Tsing and Eastern District to provide SI services to people in need when being interviewed. "Conducted once every 10 years, the population census is a large-scale and important statistical exercise. It provides statistical information which is vital for the future development of Hong Kong. The data collected from the Census are useful to the Government for policy formulation as well as planning of social services and facilities, and others, both at the territory-wide level and the district level. The exercise involves thousands of civil servants and temporary staff who are making full efforts to complete their duties," Mr Nip said. "I am grateful to colleagues of the C&SD for their hard work as conducting a large-scale fieldwork operation under the epidemic requires their meticulous planning. I appeal to the public to support the work of the C&SD. I also hope that they will get vaccinated as soon as possible so as to protect themselves and others." For details about the 2021 Population Census, please visit www.census2021.gov.hk .
Broadcaster participates in outreach COVID-19 vaccination (with photos/video)
29.7.2021

The Government's outreach vaccination team today (July 29) administered the BioNTech vaccine to around 280 staff members of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) at TVB City in Tseung Kwan O. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip; the Chairman and Non-executive Director of TVB, Mr Thomas Hui; and Advisory Panel on COVID-19 Vaccines member Dr Thomas Tsang, jointly viewed the vaccination situation and gave support to those receiving a vaccine dose. "Whether artistes performing on stage or crew members working behind the scene, it is necessary for them to safeguard the health of themselves and their family members. Vaccination is not only the most effective and thorough measure for preventing and controlling COVID-19 but also the key to overcoming the epidemic and resuming normal ways of life. I appeal to the public, particularly elderly persons, who have not yet received a vaccination to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and others," Mr Nip said. There has been enthusiastic support for the outreach vaccination programme since it was launched by the Civil Service Bureau. The Bureau has provided the outreach vaccination service to the Hong Kong Sports Institute, global professional services enterprises, property developers, financial institutions, the construction industry, public utilities, a property management company, universities, a theme park, insurance entreprises and a district organisation. Mr Nip expressed his gratitude to the medical team and administrative support staff of the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Ho Man Tin Sports Centre for providing the outreach service today. People can make reservations through the online booking system on the designated website of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme ( www.covidvaccine.gov.hk ) for receiving vaccines at 29 CVCs and 26 general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority. They can also make appointments for vaccinations with private doctors or clinics participating in the programme.
Outreach service for COVID-19 vaccinations in full swing (with photos)
28.7.2021

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, visited AXA Hong Kong and Macau (AXA) today (July 28). During the visit, he and the Chief Executive Officer of AXA, Ms Sally Wan, jointly viewed the administering of a COVID-19 vaccine to staff members and agents of the enterprise as arranged by the Government's outreach vaccination service. About 360 people will receive a Sinovac or BioNTech vaccination in a two-day outreach vaccination service. "We greatly welcome enterprises to join hands with the Government in promoting the 'Early Vaccination for All' campaign and encourage their employees to support the Vaccination Programme, thereby protecting the health of the employees and their colleagues and clients. I hope that people who get vaccinated will also encourage their families and friends to receive vaccinations so that we can work together to build an immune barrier in Hong Kong," Mr Nip said. As the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is already offering more quotas for the public to make bookings, and same-day tickets for vaccinations will also be distributed to elderly persons aged 70 or above starting tomorrow (July 29), Mr Nip called on members of the public to get vaccinated as early as possible. "The mutant strains of the COVID-19 virus circulating globally have high transmissibility. Although they are mainly found in imported cases, should they enter the community and spread widely, the elderly population with its weakened immunity and low vaccination rate will be the first to bear the brunt of being infected. Elderly persons aged 70 or above can collect a same-day ticket in person. They can also authorise their family members or carers to collect on their behalf, provided that the authorised person can present a copy of the authoriser's Hong Kong identity card for registration. As same-day tickets will be distributed daily, it is not necessary for the elderly to queue up at a Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) too early for a ticket. We hope that this arrangement will provide the elderly with an additional option to receive vaccinations and prevent infection." There has been enthusiastic support for the outreach vaccination programme since it was launched by the Civil Service Bureau. The bureau has provided the outreach vaccination service to the Hong Kong Sports Institute, global professional services enterprises, property developers, financial institutions, the construction industry, public utilities, a property management company, universities, a theme park and a district organisation. Mr Nip expressed his gratitude to the medical team and administrative support staff of the CVC at Tin Fai Road Sports Centre for providing the outreach service today.
Talk on "The Communist Party of China in the New Era, and its Relationship with 'One Country, Two Systems'" organised by CSB (with photos)
27.7.2021

The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) today (July 27) organised a talk on "The Communist Party of China in the New Era, and its Relationship with 'One Country, Two Systems'" at the Central Government Offices for senior government officials. The talk was delivered by Mr Feng Wei, former Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, who spoke via video conferencing. His talk covered the key milestones of the Party's development, its important role in the new era and the relationship with "One Country, Two Systems". The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said during the talk, "Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the country has made remarkable achievements on various fronts including the economic, social, cultural, sports and technological fronts, and has also grown significantly in international standing. Every Chinese takes pride in such achievements. "We would only be able to understand our country by gaining a better knowledge of the leadership and mission of the CPC in our country. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party. At this historical moment, it is of particular importance for us to enhance our understanding of the Party's significant role in the new era of our country." He said that the CPC is the founder of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. "One Country, Two Systems" has not only enabled the smooth return of Hong Kong to the Motherland, but has also laid an indispensable foundation for Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of the country, to make on-going developments in the long term and contribute to the country. The Government is committed to strengthening civil service training, including in particular training on the understanding of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the Basic Law and our country's development. About 200 officials attended today's talk, including Permanent Secretaries, Under Secretaries, Heads of Departments, senior directorate officers of various bureaux or departments, and Political Assistants.