kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session in Beijing
15.12.2017

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session in Beijing to conclude her duty visit this evening (December 15): Reporter: Mrs Lam, can you tell us what specific issues have you discussed with the two state leaders during the meetings, and did you discuss any issues about the Article 23 legislation? Chief Executive: During my report of duty to the state leaders, we would normally just touch on very broad issues. Of course, all the issues relating to enhancing the implementation of the Basic Law in terms of the system, the policies and the practices, are constitutional responsibilities of the Chief Executive and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. My stance on the enactment of local legislation relating to Basic Law Article 23 is very clear. It has been made clear in my Election Manifesto and in my Policy Address, and the state leaders are fully aware of that position. As far as the issues that I have brought to the leaders' attention, especially those that I want more Central Authorities’ support, they will, broadly speaking, be related to the two major national initiatives that Hong Kong wants to play an active part, one is the Belt and Road Initiative, and the other is the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. In each of these initiatives, we would like the Central Authorities to give us the necessary policy and support for us to make our contribution. Reporter: What's the Government's position on passing the amendments in LegCo Rules? And do you think that, are you worried that, you know, these changes might be unconstitutional? Chief Executive: I think the LegCo President, in ruling the discussion on these amendments to the Rules of Procedure, has taken full account of the legal and constitutional position in the Basic Law, with the benefit of advice from the LegCo Secretariat’s legal advisors and also some outside legal advice. But of course, Hong Kong is a place where we are very proud of the rule of law, and we have an independent judiciary, so if anybody is unhappy about this decision or this outcome, then of course they could resort to seeking a judicial ruling. It is not for me to say that this particular amendment to the Rules of Procedure is unconstitutional because so far it is still being taken care of within the Legislative Council. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Friday, December 15, 2017 Issued at HKT 23:51 NNNN
Re-appointment to Airport Authority Hong Kong
15.12.2017

The Government announced today (December 15) the re-appointment of Mr Steven Ho Chun-yin as a member of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) for the period from January 1, 2018, to May 31, 2020. Under the Airport Authority Ordinance, the Chairman and members of the AA are appointed by the Chief Executive. The re-appointment is published in the Government Gazette today. The following is the full membership of the AA with effect from January 1, 2018: Chairman: ------------ Mr Jack So Chak-kwong Members: ------------ Mr Andrew Fung Hau-chung Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei Mr Steven Ho Chun-yin Mr Franklin Lam Fan-keung Mr Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung Mr Lee Shing-see Mr Lin Jingzhen Mr Peter To Mr Carlson Tong Mr Billy Wong Wing-hoo Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming Dr Allan Zeman Secretary for Transport and Housing Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Director-General of Civil Aviation Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority (ex officio) Ends/Friday, December 15, 2017 Issued at HKT 12:00 NNNN
CE meets Minister of Public Security in Beijing
14.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Minister of Public Security, Mr Zhao Kezhi, in Beijing this afternoon (December 14). Photo shows Mrs Lam (right) shaking hands with Mr Zhao (left) before the meeting. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam (fifth left), meets the Minister of Public Security, Mr Zhao Kezhi (sixth right), in Beijing this afternoon (December 14). Also joining the meeting are the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee (fourth left); the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip (third left); the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (first left); and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lo Wai-chung (second left). Ends/Thursday, December 14, 2017 Issued at HKT 18:38 NNNN
Appointments to Standing Committee on Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service
14.12.2017

A Government spokesman announced today (December 14) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Jat Sew-tong as a member of the Standing Committee on Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service (Judicial Committee). The Chief Executive has also re-appointed Mr Alfred Chan Wing-kin and Mr Dieter Yih as members of the Judicial Committee. The three appointees will serve for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2018. Mr Benjamin Yu, an existing member of the Judicial Committee, will retire on December 31 this year. "We would like to thank Mr Yu for his invaluable contributions to the Judicial Committee over the years," the spokesman said. The Judicial Committee is tasked to advise and make recommendations to the Chief Executive on matters concerning the salary and conditions of service of judges and judicial officers. Other members of the Judicial Committee are Professor Wong Yuk-shan (Chairman), Mr T C Chan, Ms May Tan Siew-boi and Ms Melissa Wu. Ends/Thursday, December 14, 2017 Issued at HKT 14:00 NNNN
Ceremony on Nanjing Massacre National Memorial Day held today
13.12.2017

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has held an official ceremony in commemoration of the victims who died in the Nanjing Massacre and those who were killed during the Japanese invasion. The ceremony was held at the Redoubt Courtyard of the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence this morning (December 13). The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the ceremony and laid a wreath. Also present at this morning's ceremony were Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Mr Tung Chee Hwa, representatives of Central People's Government organisations in Hong Kong, a representative from the Judiciary, senior government officials, members of the Legislative Council, members of the Executive Council, former members of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, war veterans' groups, community dignitaries and student groups. Ends/Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Issued at HKT 11:30 NNNN
CE meets President of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
12.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Mr Wang Weiguang, at Government House this afternoon (December 12). Mrs Lam welcomed Mr Wang's visit to Hong Kong to attend the International Forum on China's Economy and Policy organised by the Central Policy Unit and the National Academy of Economic Strategy of the CASS today. The forum, attracting more than 300 participants, provided an opportunity for participants from the Mainland, overseas and Hong Kong to analyse the Mainland economy and future policy direction, as well as the roles of Hong Kong and opportunities available to the city. Mrs Lam said that the CASS, a premier academic organisation and comprehensive research centre in the fields of philosophy and social sciences in the Mainland, has established close ties with a number of universities and institutions in Hong Kong. She added that she was pleased to see the CASS set up the Chinese Institute of Hong Kong as its branch in the city in June this year and expressed the hope that the Institute can pool together academic and social resources in Hong Kong and the Mainland to initiate various research and exchange activities in humanities and social sciences to enhance communication and co-operation in academia in both places. Noting that the CASS also performs the function of a think tank in policy formulation of the Central Government, she said she hopes that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, in the course of formulating public policies in an evidence-based approach as she has advocated, can strengthen interactions and exchanges with the CASS in the future. Ends/Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Issued at HKT 21:21 NNNN
Slope Safety Summit discusses ways to enhance Hong Kong Slope Safety System
11.12.2017

More than 260 leading experts and stakeholders in the field of slope engineering and landslide risk management discussed the challenges and opportunities in further enhancing the Hong Kong Slope Safety System at the Slope Safety Summit today (December 11), jointly held by the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. Established in the 1970s, the Hong Kong Slope Safety System is a comprehensive and effective slope management system developed by the GEO to protect members of the public from landslide hazards. The system comprises several key components including improving slope safety standards, rectifying substandard Government slopes, implementing landslide risk mitigation measures to natural hillsides, maintaining Government man-made slopes and promoting public awareness of slope safety. Despite its achievements in the past four decades, climate change and slope degradation pose new challenges to the system. The summit today provided a platform for experts and stakeholders to share their valuable experiences and insights which could benefit the enhancement of the city's Slope Safety System. Officiating at the summit's opening ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, applauded all the parties involved for their efforts in putting in place in Hong Kong one of the best slope engineering and landslide risk management systems in the world, which has evolved over the past decades in response to experience, continual improvement initiatives and technological advancement. She also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of slope safety in Hong Kong to protect people's life and property. Also officiating at the summit opening ceremony were the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong; the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Lam Sai-hung; and the Head of the GEO, Mr Pun Wai-keung. The summit comprises four discussion sessions on landslide risk management, innovations and technological advances, climate change and public efforts in combating landslide risks. Four distinguished speakers were invited to participate in these discussion sessions, namely Professor Norbert Morgenstern of the University of Alberta of Canada; Professor John Burland of the Imperial College London; Dr Suzanne Lacasse of the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute; and Professor Dave Petley of the University of Sheffield of the United Kingdom. Dr Lacasse and Professor Petley are serving members of the Slope Safety Technical Review Board of the GEO. Ends/Monday, December 11, 2017 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
CE on duty visit to Beijing
9.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will pay a duty visit to Beijing from December 13 to 15. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the visit. During the stay in Beijing, she will meet with state leaders and brief them on the latest economic, social and political situation in Hong Kong. She will also sign, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, an arrangement with the National Development and Reform Commission on advancing Hong Kong's full participation in and contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative. During Mrs Lam's absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Saturday, December 9, 2017 Issued at HKT 14:00 NNNN
CE attends Hong Kong Economic Summit 2018
8.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, speaks at the Hong Kong Economic Summit 2018 today (December 8). The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the Hong Kong Economic Summit 2018 today (December 8). Photo shows (from left) Executive Director of Henderson Land Development Company Limited Mr Augusteen Wong; the Editor-in-Chief of Hong Kong Economic Journal Company Limited, Ms Alice Kwok; the Managing Director of Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited, Mr Sung Man-hei; Mrs Lam; the Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Mr Peter Wong; and the Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Mr Chow Chung-kong, at the summit. Ends/Friday, December 8, 2017 Issued at HKT 15:32 NNNN
CE meets Prince of Sweden
7.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, at Government House this morning (December 7). Mrs Lam welcomed Prince Carl Philip's visit to Hong Kong to launch the first edition of #SwedenTalks_HK which promotes co-operation and exchanges in areas including innovation, creativity, design, culture and social values between Hong Kong and Sweden. She said that the activity focuses on the promotion of Sweden's creative design, and education and learning technology, which coincide with the areas of innovation and technology and creative industries she is keen to develop as announced in her maiden Policy Address delivered in October. On design in particular, she expressed her gratitude to Sweden for participating in the Business of Design Week 2017 which is being held in town, including the setting up of a pavilion in DesignInspire to showcase the Swedish design and products. She also thanked the Swedish government and the trade for their support over the years to the Business of Design Week which has become a flagship design event in Asia. Given Sweden's leading position in the world in various aspects including innovation and technology, Mrs Lam expressed the hope to strengthen exchanges between the two places so that Hong Kong may learn from the experience of Sweden. She also encouraged more Swedish companies, including start-ups, to do business and invest in Hong Kong to leverage on the advantage of the city as the gateway to the vast market of Mainland China and to explore together more business opportunities. Ends/Thursday, December 7, 2017 Issued at HKT 21:02 NNNN
CE to visit Dongguan
7.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will depart for Dongguan tomorrow afternoon (December 8) to attend "The 16th HK-PRD Industrial and Commercial Circle Goodwill Gathering 2017" organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the PRD Council. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the visit. During her stay in Dongguan, Mrs Lam will meet leaders of the Dongguan Municipal Government and visit the China (Dongguan) International Science & Technology Cooperation Week exhibition. She will also meet students of the Vocational Training Council on exchange programme in Dongguan and Hong Kong students studying in Guangdong. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the evening on the same day. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Thursday, December 7, 2017 Issued at HKT 13:16 NNNN
CE: The best is yet to come for Hong Kong
6.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said at the luncheon of the 18th Hong Kong Forum today (December 6) that the Government will be more proactive and play the role of a "facilitator" and "promoter" in the development of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Forum, co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide (the Federation), attracted more than 350 business leaders from 29 countries and regions this year. Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong has a strong base, including the unique advantage of "One Country, Two Systems" and being one of the leaders in international rankings in a number of areas. Noting that Hong Kong was doing very well economically in the first three quarters of this year with an increase in the number of Mainland and overseas companies in Hong Kong and a favourable external environment, she said, however, the city will not rest on its laurels. The Government she leads will be proactive and, through measures including boosting connectivity, strengthening traditional industries, developing new industries, improving the business environment and enhancing the standard of living, promote the economic development of Hong Kong and make it a more livable city. Thanking the Federation for its contribution to Hong Kong's economic development over the years, Mrs Lam said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to listen to the views of various sectors and take concrete actions for Hong Kong, for which the best is yet to come. Ends/Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Issued at HKT 22:30 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
5.12.2017

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (December 5): Reporter: Mrs Lam, but the Government has stopped submitting new bills to LegCo in the past few weeks. Is this a tactic to make way for LegCo to debate on LegCo rules changes? Chief Executive: Well, there is no particular tactics or strategy. We will submit the bills and resolutions when they are ready for LegCo to discuss and debate. But of course, as we can all see, the Legislative Council has already had eight meetings in this session, and out of the eight meetings and in many hours of deliberations they only managed to achieve basically two things. One is of course to pass the motion of thanks regarding my Policy Address, to which I'm extremely grateful. The other is to pass a non-binding motion on the co-location arrangements to be implemented in the West Kowloon Terminus of the high-speed train. But for other matters which normally do not take up a lot of time in the Legislative Council, like subsidiary legislation, like the introduction of bills for first and second reading, in this particular session they have also taken up a lot of time so maybe this phenomenon is very unusual and we hope that things in the Legislative Council will be brought back to normal as soon as possible. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Issued at HKT 12:05 NNNN
CE meets Saudi Arabia Crown Prince
4.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia in the evening before concluding her visit to Saudi Arabia today (December 3, Riyadh time). Pleased to note at the meeting that Saudi Arabia hoped to strengthen co-operation with Hong Kong in various areas, Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong, an international financial and business centre, is home to more than 8 200 offices set up by overseas and Mainland companies, as much as 45 per cent of which serve as regional headquarters or regional offices. Hong Kong entered into a Free Trade Agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last month and signed the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Agreement with the Mainland, coupled with its robust regime and quality professional services, Hong Kong is the best platform for overseas enterprises to access the Mainland and Asian markets. Believing that services provided by Hong Kong would help Saudi Arabia take forward its "Vision 2030", she encouraged more enterprises in Saudi Arabia to set up businesses in Hong Kong to explore together more business opportunities. Ends/Monday, December 4, 2017 Issued at HKT 2:38 NNNN
CE meets Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines
1.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Mr Alan Peter Cayetano at the Chief Executive's Office this afternoon (December 1). Mrs Lam welcomed Mr Cayetano's visit to Hong Kong and congratulated the Philippines on the successful hosting of the 31th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit earlier. She also thanked the Philippines' support on the signing of the Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade agreement (FTA) and a related Investment Agreement during the ASEAN Summit last month, which she believed would take co-operation between Hong Kong and ASEAN to new heights. In particular, the current-term Government is committed to promoting two-way investments whereby Hong Kong enterprises will be encouraged to seek investment opportunities in the Philippines and other ASEAN countries, boosting not only the local economy but also the development of professional services in Hong Kong. With around two hundred thousand foreign domestic helpers from the Philippines in Hong Kong making substantial contribution to Hong Kong's families and economy, Mrs Lam said the Government is keen to protect the rights and benefits of the domestic helpers in Hong Kong so that they will enjoy working and living in the city. Noting that she is very concerned about the Philippine Government's suspension of the issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates to all overseas workers, Mrs Lam said that she is delighted to know from Mr Cayetano that the processing of the applications will resume normal next week and that she hopes the relevant authorities in the Philippines would expedite the processing of the previously suspended cases. Ends/Friday, December 1, 2017 Issued at HKT 23:40 NNNN
CE meets Vice President of European Commission
1.12.2017

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the visiting Vice-President of the European Commission for the Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, at the Chief Executive's Office this afternoon (December 1). Mrs Lam welcomed Mr Dombrovskis' visit to Hong Kong and briefed him on the city's latest situation and development direction at the meeting. She said that with the dual advantages of "One Country" and "Two Systems", Hong Kong is authorised by the Central People's Government to conduct relevant external affairs on its own in accordance with the Basic Law. Through conducting more government-to-government dialogues and establishing more bilateral and multilateral ties with the Mainland and overseas countries, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will promote its advantages to attract more Mainland and international enterprises, investors and talent to Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will also continue to actively seek to enter into free trade agreements, investment promotion and protection agreements and comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreements with other economies to further strengthen Hong Kong's ties with other places. She said that Hong Kong, as a global financial centre, offshore Renminbi business hub and international asset management centre, will capitalise on the opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development and give full play to the city's advantages to promote diversified development of Hong Kong's financial market, including the development of financial technologies and green bonds. Noting that Hong Kong and the European Union have established strong bilateral ties with close economic and trade relationships, she encouraged European enterprises to choose Hong Kong as the platform to expand their businesses to the Mainland and Asia. Ends/Friday, December 1, 2017 Issued at HKT 21:31 NNNN