kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Government welcomes passage of Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2023 (21.6.2023)
21.6.2023

The Government welcomes the passage of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2023 by the Legislative Council today (June 21), which implements a measure to trawl for talent as announced in the 2022 Policy Address by introducing a refund mechanism under the Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) and the New Residential Stamp Duty (NRSD) regimes to attract talent from around the world to stay in Hong Kong for long-term development, thereby enriching the talent pool of Hong Kong. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, said, "The refund mechanism will bring the overall stamp duty charged on eligible incoming talents on par with that charged on first-time home buyers who are Hong Kong permanent residents (HKPRs), hence reducing the cost of home purchase for those incoming talents who are able and wish to buy residential properties in Hong Kong. We believe that this measure will help incentivise incoming talents to purchase homes and reside in Hong Kong in the long run, which would inject impetus to the growth of Hong Kong." Under the refund mechanism, for an eligible incoming talent who has entered Hong Kong under a designated talent admission scheme, acquired a residential property in Hong Kong on or after October 19, 2022 (i.e. the date of announcement of the 2022 Policy Address), and subsequently becomes an HKPR, he/she can apply for a refund of the BSD and the NRSD paid for the residential property which, at the time it was purchased, was the applicant's only residential property (save for replacing property) and the applicant still holds on the date of the application for refund. The Ad Valorem Stamp Duty at Scale 2 rates (i.e. the rates applicable to first-time home buyers who are HKPRs) will still be payable. The amended Ordinance will be published in the Gazette on June 30, 2023, and the Inland Revenue Department will start accepting refund applications from incoming talent upon its gazettal. Ends/Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Issued at HKT 17:56 NNNN
Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland and Overseas 2023 officially kicked off (5.6.2023)
5.6.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, and representatives of the participating corporates today (June 5) officiated at the kick-off ceremony of the Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland and Overseas 2023. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said the Government re-launched the Scheme as soon as Hong Kong embarks on the path of returning to normalcy in full and its connection with both the Mainland and the world fully resumes. The Scheme quickly received enthusiastic support from 24 large corporates, and they offered young people with more than 320 summer internship placements outside Hong Kong. The placements cover different Mainland provinces and cities as well as overseas countries, and also a wide variety of industries. Mr Chan expressed sincere gratitude to the participating corporates for their efforts in and contribution to nurturing the next generation. He also stated that the Government would continue to rally the efforts of all sectors in society to support youth development on all fronts, so as to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong and equipped with global perspectives, an aspiring mindset and positive thinking. Miss Mak said at the ceremony that the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau released the Youth Development Blueprint last year, and it mentioned that the breadth and depth of various internship and exchange programmes outside Hong Kong should be further enhanced. This includes expanding the number of placements under the Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland and Overseas. The new round of the Scheme received overwhelming responses, and young people are keen to take up the internship placements. She encouraged the successfully selected interns to grasp the valuable placement opportunities on the Mainland and in overseas countries to enrich their knowledge, accumulate experience and broaden their horizons, all of which would help build a solid foundation for their personal and career development. The 24 corporates participating in the Scheme provide a total of 328 internship placements in different Mainland provinces and cities including various cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu, Chongqing, etc, as well as overseas countries including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and Sweden. The placements cover multiple industries, such as financial services, innovation and technology, logistics, property development, retail, hospitality and public utilities. The recruited interns will depart from mid-June onwards to undertake internship of no less than six weeks. Ends/Monday, June 5, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:47 NNNN
Commission on Children convenes 17th meeting (25.5.2023)
25.5.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (May 25) chaired the 17th meeting of the Commission on Children (CoC). At the meeting, members were briefed by the representative of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau on the Youth Development Blueprint announced by the Government in December 2022. The Blueprint outlines the overall vision and guiding principles for the Government's long-term youth development work. In the four chapters of the Blueprint that refer to different development stages of youth, the chapter "Exploration" highlights that young people transitioning from childhood to adulthood are at the enlightenment stage of their lives. They should be encouraged to explore and acquire the necessary skills and knowledge, and be instilled with positive values to help them develop talent and prepare for their future pursuits. Members welcomed the array of over 160 specific actions and measures in the Blueprint and offered views on how the Government should join with various sectors of society to implement the initiatives effectively. Moreover, members discussed the views collected from children and stakeholders (including parents, school principals, teachers, social workers and healthcare professionals) in an engagement session organised by the CoC in early May on the challenges of moving on from the COVID-19 epidemic and resuming normal school life. The children were generally happy with the resumption of school life, yet experienced anxiety about restoring the routine and adjusting to the schoolwork pattern. The stakeholders were concerned about children's socialising and academic skills, eye health and physical fitness, Internet surfing habits, etc. Members said that they were pleased to note the Government's steadfast implementation of a series of support measures for children, families and schools. They include enhancing learning activities within and beyond the classroom, nurturing positive thinking, strengthening mental health, and offering guidelines on healthy digital screen time. Also, the Government has been providing support for children with special needs and children having recovered from COVID-19 to assist with their early adjustment to normal school life. Ends/Thursday, May 25, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:05 NNNN
Third-term Human Resources Planning Commission convenes first meeting (18.5.2023)
18.5.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (May 18) chaired the first meeting of the third-term Human Resources Planning Commission. At the meeting, members were briefed on the Talent List of Hong Kong, which has been recently expanded to cover 51 professions, as well as its application under various talent admission schemes to provide immigration facilitation for more diversified high-quality talent. Members welcomed the Government's adoption of their views as well as those from various local business chambers and industry organisations in the exercise of updating the Talent List. They agreed that the expanded Talent List would help Hong Kong attract more high-quality talent to meet social and economic development needs. Members also expressed views on how to enhance the human resources planning and development of Hong Kong. In addition, members took note of the progress of the new round of healthcare manpower projection being conducted by the Health Bureau. The Hospital Authority is collating and analysing data including profession-specific service utilisation, manpower and local training, while listening to stakeholders' views throughout the process, with the aim of completing the projection exercise by the end of this year. Members offered views on various issues including the future demand-and-supply situation of local healthcare professionals, primary healthcare development and technology application. Mr Chan said, "Quality and diverse human resources provide key impetus to the high-quality social and economic development of Hong Kong. I look forward to close collaboration with members of the Commission to steadfastly carry out human resources planning-related work and enrich Hong Kong's talent pool to develop the city into an international talent hub." Ends/Thursday, May 18, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:51 NNNN
Care Teams in Tsuen Wan District officially launched today (5.5.2023)
5.5.2023

The District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) in the Tsuen Wan District were officially launched today (May 5). The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, officiated at the pledging ceremony. Led by the District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Mr Billy Au, and the respective captains, Care Teams of the 19 sub-districts of the Tsuen Wan District will strive to provide a wide range of caring services to residents in the Tsuen Wan District. Speaking at the pledging ceremony, Mr Cheuk said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's aim of providing funding to various groups to form the Care Teams was to strengthen community support and build regular relationships with residents. When untoward incidents and emergencies occur, Care Teams would also promptly mobilise their district network to offer assistance to meet the pressing needs of residents affected. Noting the participation of a group of enthusiastic young people in the Care Teams of Tsuen Wan District, he also hoped that the youth would, through the participation, acquire a better understanding of community development and enhance their sense of belonging and mission to the community and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Addressing the ceremony, Miss Mak said the pledging ceremony held today was a milestone in showing collaborations between the Government, the business sector and the community, thanks to the close collaboration and the spirit of unity of the selected organisations of the Tsuen Wan District for serving its residents. She believed the Care Teams in the Tsuen Wan District would gather community power and live up to the spirit of serving the community to address residents' concerns to build a caring community. Other officiating guests included the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; the Director General of the New Territories Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Li Jiyi; and the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung. Before the pledging ceremony, Mr Cheuk and Miss Mak visited a promotional street booth operated by Care Teams to introduce the proposal to improve district administration to members of public. After the pledging ceremony, Miss Mak, accompanied by Mr Au, inspected the services provided by the Care Teams to the residents in the District, including a health check and free Chinese medicine services. Moreover, Mr Au, members of Care Teams and volunteers also visited residents living in public housing estates and subdivided units to understand their daily lives and needs, and disseminated anti-deception messages. The visit fully displayed the spirit of care and support. Upholding the spirit to serve the community wholeheartedly, the Care Teams in the Tsuen Wan District will strive to provide caring services and organise various activities to residents and people in need in the District. Ends/Friday, May 5, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:55 NNNN
Care Teams in Southern District officially launched today (30.4.2023)
30.4.2023

The Community Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) in the Southern District were officially launched today (April 30). The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, officiated at the pledging ceremony. Led by the District Officer (Southern), Mr Francis Cheng, and the respective captains, Care Teams of the 17 sub-districts of the Southern District will strive to provide a wide range of supporting services to residents in the Southern District. Speaking at the pledging ceremony, Mr Chan said the Care Teams have pulled together all sectors including young people, women and professionals, as well as district organisations and groups, to strengthen community support; build relationships with residents; and act as a bridge between the Government and citizens. The Care Teams will express their care for those in need and offer assistance to them and disseminate important messages to residents, with a view to addressing the pressing needs of people. Mr Chan hopes that the community will continue to make a concerted effort for the betterment of people's lives. Addressing the ceremony, Miss Mak said the Care Teams in the Southern District leverage the connections between the Government, the business sector and the community, as well as power of love of both the motherland and Hong Kong. They work together to help residents solve problems and provide a wide variety of supporting services. The team of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will continue to live up to the spirit of serving the community to address residents' concerns, such that the Government's work fulfils people's wishes. Other officiating guests included the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam; the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung; and the Director-General of the Hong Kong Island Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Xue Hui-jun. Mr Chan and Miss Mak visited two elderly households living in Shek Pai Wan Estate in Aberdeen before the pledging ceremony. They distributed health and anti-deception messages to the elderly, and an accompanying volunteer from the Care Team also provided a simple health check for the elderly. The visit fully displayed the spirit of care and support. After the pledging ceremony, the Care Teams of the 17 sub-districts of the Southern District set up street booths in respective sub-districts to provide service information of the Care Teams to residents. Upholding the spirit to serve the community with heart, the Care Teams in the Southern District will strive to provide caring services and organise various activities to residents and people in need in the District. Ends/Sunday, April 30, 2023 Issued at HKT 14:12 NNNN
CS concludes visit to Beijing (28.4.2023)
28.4.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, concluded his visit in Beijing today (April 28). In the morning, Mr Chan called on the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong. Mr Xia recognised and supported the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's governance in accordance with the law. He encouraged the HKSAR Government, with earnest hopes, to achieve good governance as well as to join with all sectors of society to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems". Mr Chan said that the six-day visit to Hong Kong by Mr Xia this month showed the importance and support given by the Central Authorities to Hong Kong. Mr Chan stressed that the HKSAR Government would fully, faithfully and resolutely uphold the "one country, two systems" principle, govern Hong Kong in accordance with the law, spearhead economic development and improve people's livelihoods, and capitalise on the unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world in various aspects, so as to maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability and make greater contributions along the new journey to build China into a great country and to achieve national rejuvenation. In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to meet with Vice Chairman Mr Li Chunlin. Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to the NDRC for its continuous support for Hong Kong's better integration into the national development. He said that the HKSAR Government would continue to proactively press ahead with policies and measures in various aspects, including fully utilising the functions of its Steering Group on Integration into National Development as a top-level policymaking platform, to proactively dovetail with national strategies such as the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to seize the opportunities arising from the national development, create strong impetus for Hong Kong's growth and serve the country's needs. Mr Chan concluded his three-day visit to Beijing today. He will return to Hong Kong in the evening. Ends/Friday, April 28, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:10 NNNN
CS begins visit in Beijing (26.4.2023)
26.4.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, arrived in Beijing this afternoon (April 26) to start his visit. Mr Chan first visited the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (Beijing Office) and received a briefing on their work. He was pleased to learn that, since the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland earlier this year, the Beijing Office had made visits to various provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. By organising and participating in a number of economic and trade seminars, performances by Hong Kong art groups, exhibitions, promotional activities and more, the Beijing Office had been promoting Hong Kong at full steam and enhanced the exchange and co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland on all fronts. Mr Chan also met colleagues of the Dedicated Team for Attracting Businesses and Talents newly set up by the Beijing Office, and learnt about the team's frontline work of proactively reaching out to target enterprises and talent and persuading them to pursue development in Hong Kong. He was pleased to know that the Government's latest measures for competing for enterprises and talent had been generally well-received among the Mainland enterprises and talent met by the team. He encouraged colleagues of the Beijing Office to continue making good use of both online and offline platforms to step up promotion of Hong Kong's unique advantages and immense opportunities, as well as to tell good stories of Hong Kong, in order to attract more strategic enterprises and professional talent to come to Hong Kong. Mr Chan then visited Tsinghua University and interacted with Hong Kong students studying in Beijing to learn about their studies and life on the Mainland. He said that pursuing studies on the Mainland enabled the students to keep abreast of the latest national development and proactively explore the immense opportunities therein. He encouraged them to continue studying hard and better equip themselves so as to serve the needs of, and contribute to, Hong Kong and the country in various areas with their own strengths in the future. He also encouraged them to take on a bridging role by introducing to their Mainland classmates the advantages and opportunities of pursuing development in Hong Kong, with a view to drawing more quality talent to Hong Kong. Mr Chan will call on various central ministries and authorities, as well as the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, starting tomorrow (April 27). Ends/Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:30 NNNN
CS to visit Beijing (25.4.2023)
25.4.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will depart tomorrow (April 26) for a three-day visit to Beijing. He will call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and other central ministries and authorities, as well as the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, to exchange views on issues of common interest and strengthen interaction and co-operation, with a view to promoting Hong Kong's more active integration into the national development. Mr Chan will also meet Hong Kong citizens living in Beijing, including young people, to understand their latest developments in the Mainland. Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on April 28. During Mr Chan's absence, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration. Ends/Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:00 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CS at media session in Foshan during four-day visit to GBA of HKSAR Government and LegCo delegation led by CE (22.4.2023)
22.4.2023

The delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Legislative Council led by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, continued their trip today (April 22). Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at a media session in Foshan this evening: Reporter: Mr Chan, you have met some young people working at Tencent. What did they tell you, and will the Government modify or expand the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme to encourage more Hong Kong young people to work on the Mainland? Chief Secretary for Administration: I am very happy that the Tencent Company has recruited more than 60 young people from Hong Kong through this scheme. I think this programme is very useful to them and I had the chance to talk with them this afternoon. I am happy to note that they are very, very happy to work in Shenzhen. They told me that they had learnt a lot, especially in the high-tech area. I invited them to come back to Hong Kong when they have holidays and to talk to our young people about the experience in Hong Kong. One of the very good points is that the company is considering to recruit the participants of the Strive and Rise Programme in the future at their suitable age. They are more than willing to recruit them to join the company. I think this is very good news for Hong Kong, so that Hong Kong people will have more chance to work in Shenzhen. This is, to me, is very, very encouraging. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Saturday, April 22, 2023 Issued at HKT 22:30 NNNN