kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Summit on New Directions for Taxation held today
23.10.2017

The Government held the Summit on New Directions for Taxation today (October 23). Attended by more than 400 participants, the Summit is an initiative of the current-term Government in gauging views from stakeholders for formulating forward-looking tax policies and measures for fostering economic development. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, delivered the opening remarks. She said, "On the premise of ensuring the health of public finance, the Special Administrative Region Government should adopt forward-looking and strategic financial management principles in wisely using our accumulated fiscal surpluses, which are wealth derived from the community, to benefit the community." In the 2017 Policy Address, Mrs Lam announced two tax measures, namely the two-tier profits tax rates regime and enhanced deduction for research and development expenditure. Mrs Lam called on the participants of the Summit to propose tax measures which would further promote the economic development of Hong Kong. Speaking also at the Summit, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, elaborated on the tax measures launched by the Government in recent years, such as the tax incentives for promoting development of the financial sector and aircraft leasing business, as well as the two-tiered profits tax rates regime and enhanced tax deduction for research and development expenditure. He used these examples to highlight the underlying principles in considering different tax policies and measures. He remarked that the relevant measures should be targeted, be able to generate economic and social benefits and allow Hong Kong to maintain the existing simple and low tax regime, and be able to meet international tax standards. The Director of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Mr Pascal Saint-Amans, and the Ralph and Claire Landau Professor of Economics at the Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Lawrence Lau, were the two other keynote speakers of the Summit. They shed light on the latest developments on international tax co-operation and the relationship between taxation and Hong Kong’s economic growth respectively. The Summit also featured two panel-cum-floor discussion sessions on tax initiatives for reinforcing pillar industries and promoting the development of a diversified economy. Leaders from the business sector and the tax profession shared insights and exchanged views with other participants on relevant tax issues. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, in his concluding remarks thanked the participants for the range of ideas they had put forward. He said that the lively discussion presented useful reference for the Government in future in tax policy formulation. The Tax Policy Unit of the Bureau would continue to work with other bureaux and stakeholders to look into tax measures that promote the territory’s economic development. Ends/Monday, October 23, 2017 Issued at HKT 20:33 NNNN
CE officiates at 2017 Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony
21.10.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, presented honours and awards to 312 recipients at the 2017 Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony at Government House today (October 21). Among the recipients, ten received the Grand Bauhinia Medal, 25 the Gold Bauhinia Star, one the Medal for Bravery (Gold) (posthumous), 30 the Silver Bauhinia Star, 11 the Distinguished Service Medal for the disciplined services and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), 64 the Bronze Bauhinia Star, and nine the Medal for Bravery (Bronze). In addition, 42 recipients received the Meritorious Service Medal for the disciplined services and the ICAC, 58 the Medal of Honour, 43 the Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service and 19 the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government /Public Service. The 2017 Honours List was issued earlier on June 30( http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201706/30/P2017062900879.htm ) Ends/Saturday, October 21, 2017 Issued at HKT 16:50 NNNN
CE expresses sorrow at passing of Professor Ma Lin
17.10.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (October 17) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Professor Ma Lin. "An outstanding scientist and educator, Professor Ma joined CUHK in 1964 and was appointed Vice-Chancellor of CUHK in 1978. After his retirement in 1987, he continued to be the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Shaw College for over 20 years and actively participated in public affairs during the time. Having served CUHK for a long period of time, Professor Ma was held in high regard by various sectors for his leadership and achievements in the academic and educational fields. He laid a solid foundation for the long-term development of CUHK and made tremendous contributions to higher education in Hong Kong," Mrs Lam said. "On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Professor Ma's family," Mrs Lam said. Ends/Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Issued at HKT 14:27 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
17.10.2017

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (October 17): Reporter: Mrs Lam, a High Court judge criticised that it's not good government policy to make jurors to work on Saturday because it will have far-reaching implications for people in the private sector. What do you have to say to that? And can you just briefly explain why you have to postpone the discussion on the amended Stamp Duty Ordinance? Chief Executive: Well, as far as the case concerning the juror, I have asked the Secretary for the Civil Service to look into the matter. First is I think we should have full respect of the judicial process and also to understand that it is a matter of civic responsibility to serve as a juror. So once the situation is clarified we will make a very reasonable stance to ensure that civil servants who have been called to serve as jurors will be able to serve wholeheartedly, instead of rigidly following the sort of the required time to report for duty. About the sort of adjourning the committee stage debate on the stamp duty amendment bill in order to ensure that the government motion on co-location arrangement for the high-speed rail could be debated and hopefully passed in time, this is to take into account the very tight time frame that the co-location arrangements are being subject to, because after securing this support from the Legislative Council (LegCo), we still have to go through what we call a three-step process to ensure that the arrangements we are putting in place have very strong legal backing, and that three-step process necessitates a final step of local legislation, which by itself will take time because it also has to go through Legislative Council. So we really cannot delay or defer this LegCo debate on the co-location arrangement. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Issued at HKT 12:15 NNNN
Re-appointment of Panel Judge under Interception of Communications and Surveillance Ordinance
13.10.2017

The Government announced today (October 13) that the Chief Executive, on the recommendation of the Chief Justice, has re-appointed Mr Justice Mohan Tarachand Bharwaney as a Panel Judge under the Interception of Communications and Surveillance Ordinance (Chapter 589) for another term of three years from October 25, 2017 to October 24, 2020. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said, "I am grateful to Mr Justice Mohan Tarachand Bharwaney for his full dedication in handling the law enforcement agencies' applications for authorisations under the Ordinance during the past three years. I am confident that he, on re-appointment, will continue to work with the other two incumbent Panel Judges, Mr Justice Andrew Chung On-tak and Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, to make use of their expertise and experience to ensure the effective operation of the regulatory regime under the Ordinance." The Ordinance provides a comprehensive statutory framework for regulating the conduct of interception and covert surveillance by designated law enforcement agencies and aims to strike a balance between protecting law and order and the privacy rights of the individual. Under the Ordinance, Panel Judges, shall consider applications for authorisations of interception and Type 1 surveillance and for device retrieval warrants. Ends/Friday, October 13, 2017 Issued at HKT 9:00 NNNN
Chief Executive to present Policy Address to LegCo
9.10.2017

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat: The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (October 11) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Chief Executive will present the Policy Address. The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website ( www.legco.gov.hk ). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found in the LegCo website. Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo website. Ends/Monday, October 9, 2017 Issued at HKT 17:40 NNNN
2017-18 judicial service pay adjustment
4.10.2017

On the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service (Judicial Committee) chaired by Professor Wong Yuk-shan, the Chief Executive in Council has decided that the pay for Judges and Judicial Officers (JJOs) for 2017-18 should be increased by 2.95 per cent. The pay adjustment will take retrospective effect from April 1, 2017. A government spokesman said today (October 4), "In coming up with its recommendation on judicial pay for 2017-18, the Judicial Committee has adopted a balanced approach, taking into account a basket of factors approved by the Chief Executive in Council in May 2008, the principle of judicial independence and the position of the Judiciary. The basket of factors includes: (a) responsibility, working conditions and workload of judges vis-à-vis those of lawyers in private practice; (b) recruitment and retention in the Judiciary; (c) retirement age and retirement benefits of JJOs; (d) benefits and allowances enjoyed by JJOs; (e) unique features of the judicial service such as the security of tenure, the prestigious status and high esteem of the judicial offices; (f) prohibition against return to private practice in Hong Kong; (g) overseas remuneration arrangements; (h) cost of living adjustments; (i) general economic situation in Hong Kong; (j) budgetary situation of the Government; (k) private sector pay levels and trends; and (l) public sector pay as a reference." A copy of the Report on Judicial Remuneration Review 2017 submitted by the Judicial Committee to the Chief Executive on July 24, 2017, is available at the website of the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service ( www.jsscs.gov.hk/en/publications/reports_jscs.htm ). The Government will seek the approval of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on the proposed pay adjustment. Ends/Wednesday, October 4, 2017 Issued at HKT 14:00 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
3.10.2017

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (October 3): Reporter: Mrs Lam, can you tell us why a non-binding motion and not start a legislation process right away, because, well, some of the pan-dems are still fiercely opposing the plan? Also, about attending more LegCo (Legislative Council) meetings, when will that start and what will the format be like? Chief Executive: Well, we cannot start the local legislation process for implementing this co-location proposal right away, because as we have announced on the 25th of July this year, the co-location arrangement is premised on a three-step approach. The first step requires a comprehensive agreement between the Hong Kong SAR Government and the relevant authorities in the Mainland, and with this co-operation arrangement being agreed, then we will seek the agreement and approval of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, probably through a resolution, and after this has been done we'll come back to do local legislation. So without those first two steps being conducted, it's a bit premature to rush into domestic legislation. The reason why we suggest we will put forward a non-binding government motion is really to provide an opportunity for Legislative Council members who have heard so much about this subject from the people of Hong Kong to debate on the merits of the co-location arrangement. And, of course, since this is a government motion the wording is such that we hope to secure the agreement of the Legislative Council members, but naturally there is diverse opinion in the Legislative Council as it is in society. But I hope that Legislative Council members will debate this in a rational manner and reflect the opinions of the people of Hong Kong. As regards my attendance before Legislative Council, this is in line with my pledge that I'm happy to engage the Legislative Council myself on a more frequent basis, and over the summer break I have received suggestions from the LegCo Committee on Rules of Procedure and having consulted amongst members, their suggestion is that I should continue to keep the four Q&A sessions every year to make a statement and to answer their questions and each session will last about 90 minutes. But in addition, they want me to appear at least once or twice more every month, but the duration of such attendance will be relatively short – it's about 30 minutes – for me to answer questions from Legislative Council on issues of the day, and I have already responded that I am very happy to follow the recommendations of the Legislative Council and now I am awaiting the actual schedule and the timetable for my appearance more frequently in the Legislative Council. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, October 3, 2017 Issued at HKT 11:52 NNNN
Speech by CE at SCMP&apos;s 5th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards presentation dinner
29.9.2017

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the SCMP's 5th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards presentation dinner today (September 29): Gary (The Cheif Executive Officer of the South China Morning Post, Gary Liu), distinguished members of the adjudicating panel, awardees, ladies and gentlemen, good evening. I'm very pleased to be here, with you, tonight for this year's "Spirit of Hong Kong Awards" ceremony. Indeed, this is an occasion that I have been looking forward to amongst my many many commitments, because it is always very uplifting to come to this occasion which I have the honour of doing it once or twice in my position as the Chief Secretary for Administration. The annual awards, which began in 2013, celebrate the spirit of Hong Kong, illuminating some of the countless ways in which our 7.4 million people can come together as a community inspired by shared values and goals. Today, more than ever, we need to spotlight, and embrace, our collective vision for Hong Kong, hopefully, because we have a new term of government which has just started. Tonight, we honour five individuals and two corporate citizens for their selfless efforts on behalf of the people of Hong Kong. Like the award winners of previous years, the individuals and corporate entities we applaud this evening are champions of Hong Kong. Our community, its values, culture and diversity. You will meet them one by one in just a few moments. But before you do that, allow me to thank them on behalf of the people of Hong Kong. Each awardee serves as a role model for what can be done. Each shows us that a stubborn willingness to help others, to make a difference, can make all the difference. Collectively, this year's Spirit of Hong Kong winners bring help, and more importantly hope, to the disabled and the elderly, minister to the sick, feed and help the homeless, and work to preserve our unique culture. For that, and so much more, we are humbled and grateful. It's important to note, as well, that there are many more out there working selflessly for the people of Hong Kong. Indeed, this year's honorees were among 147 nominations. That, ladies and gentlemen, more than doubled the number of nominations received in 2016. We are, in short, blessed as a city, as a community. And if we continue to work together for the common good, the spirit of Hong Kong will surely reward us all, long into the future. My thanks to each and every one of this year's nominees. You make me proud – you make us all proud – to call Hong Kong, this place, our home. My thanks, too, go to the South China Morning Post, creator and organiser of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, and to all those involved in making the awards a guiding light over these past five years. So let’s have a rewarding and enjoyable evening. Thank you very much. Ends/Friday, September 29, 2017 Issued at HKT 21:12 NNNN
Speech by CE at Grand Opening of Jockey Club Home for Hospice
28.9.2017

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Grand Opening of the Jockey Club Home for Hospice in Sha Tin today (September 28): I would like to say a few words in English. It is my pleasure to attend the Grand Opening of the Jockey Club Home for Hospice today to witness another major step forward in palliative care in Hong Kong. Like other countries around the world, Hong Kong is facing an escalating demand for accessible palliative care. The Government is working to enhance the provision of such care services, yet we would not be able to do it without passionate supporters in the community. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Jockey Club for their generous contribution and the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care for their continued efforts in palliative care services for terminally ill patients and their families. There is so much wisdom in the quote found on the Mission Statement page of the Society - "When days cannot be added to life, add life to days". I would appeal to every one of you to support this very meaningful cause. Thank you very much. Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2017 Issued at HKT 14:08 NNNN
Speech by CE at Forbes 100th Anniversary Celebration Reception
27.9.2017

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Forbes 100th Anniversary Celebration Reception in the 17th Forbes Global CEO Conference today (September 27): Steve (Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, Mr Steve Forbes), distinguished members of the Forbes team, ladies and gentlemen, It really gives me great pleasure to stand here to congratulate Forbes on its 100th anniversary. A century is of course a very long period of time, but over the years Forbes has established its reputation and is a champion for free enterprises. This is of course a very auspicious year for Hong Kong, as we are celebrating the 20th anniversary. In my view, whether you are 100 years old or 20 years old like our city, there is still a lot of room for energising. So we look forward to creating more energy, more vibrancy, in Hong Kong and with Forbes' participation. If I may, I just have a little request. "Champion for free enterprises" perhaps is not enough in this changing era. I hope that in future we'll be seeing more enterprises that are free and caring, especially caring for the young people, because the future lies in our young generation. So I'm extremely pleased to be told that there is a very good chance that Forbes will bring another important conference to Hong Kong after this CEO global conference that is for the under 30s. So I look forward to receiving Steve Forbes again in Hong Kong. Thank you very much. Ends/Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Issued at HKT 19:17 NNNN
Speech by CE at WKCD Authority reception
18.9.2017

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) Authority reception today (September 18): I am extremely pleased to come here this afternoon to join current and former members of the WKCD Authority Board and its many committees as well as the consultation panel. I want to come here in my new capacity as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and to reaffirm my support and passion for the West Kowloon Cultural District project. I'm sure this major arts investment will make us proud, not only now but in time to come as the various performance venues and museums will open their doors to the people of Hong Kong and to the many, many tourists who will come to enjoy the performance in West Kowloon as well as exhibitions in the two wonderful world-class museums, that is M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. The beauty and the contribution of West Kowloon are multifaceted. It will raise the standard of living in Hong Kong. It will attract a lot more tourists to Hong Kong. It will provide diversified and quality jobs for our young people, and also it will help me, as the Chief Executive, to connect with the Mainland and the rest of the world. At this particular juncture, I have decided that it is timely to hand over the chairmanship of this very important project to a non-official, which is permissible under the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Ordinance, and I cannot think of a better candidate than Mr Henry Tang to take over the helm again to lead the West Kowloon Cultural District project. So today I'm very honoured and very happy to announce that I have appointed Mr Henry Tang to be the Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board from 1st October this year. I wish this project every success under Henry's leadership and want to thank our board members and committee members for the very significant contribution you have made to this project and let's look forward to the opening of the various venues in the coming years. Thank you very much. Ends/Monday, September 18, 2017 Issued at HKT 18:56 NNNN