kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Opening Ceremony of Junior Police Call Summer Camp 2022 held today (16.8.2022)
16.8.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of Junior Police Call (JPC) Summer Camp 2022 at the JPC Permanent Activity Centre today (August 16). With the theme of "Be a Leader · Fight Crime Together", the JPC Summer Camp incorporated the five elements of JPC’s new strategy "IDEAS", in which "I" stands for Innovation; "D" stands for Discipline; "E" stands for Exposure; "A" stands for Adventure and "S" stands for "Synergy". Though a series of diversified activities, it aimed to encourage young people to step out of their comfort zone, enhancing their resilience, team spirit and leadership skills and cultivating positive values. At the same time, it also promoted fight crime messages among the participants. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tang encouraged JPC members to unleash their potential and strive for continuous improvement. He hoped that they would develop a sense of responsibility and discipline by participating in JPC's diversified activities, thereby becoming law-abiding citizens and contributing to the development of the city and the country. It is the first time for the JPC to organise summer camp at the JPC Permanent Activity Centre, in which six adventure day camps will be held in August, providing training to more than 600 JPC members. They will take part in a variety of activities, including the Pat Heung Race, zip lining, Chinese-style foot drill and flag raising training, and virtual reality game on anti-drug. Ends/Tuesday, August 16, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:16 NNNN
DCS speaks on Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots (14.8.2022)
14.8.2022

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at a media session after inspecting a hygiene black spot at a rear lane today (August 14): Reporter: There are 600 hygiene black spots. How will you follow-up the dirty alleys and hygiene black spots? My second question is, how are you going to handle the complaints from the citizens? You said you will develop a system at the press conference on Friday, can you be more specific on how are you going to handle the complaints from the citizens? Will this campaign cost more workload for the cleaners? How will you ensure their legal rights? Thank you. Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration: Can you repeat your first question? I can't hear you very clearly. Reporter: There are more dirty alleys in the list and more than 600 hygiene black spots as mentioned, how will you do the follow-up? Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration: As I just mentioned in Chinese, we will carry out extensive cleansing operation in all the black spots, including back lanes, and we will be doing that continuously. In the foreseeable future, I do not expect to remove those black spots, including back lanes, from our target list. Although the target list is living, currently we have around 600 black spots, that number may grow in response to community feedback about other hygiene black spots. Your question about handling complaints. That is something that we are very concerned about. Currently, members of the public can lodge complaints through the government hotline. And I have heard feedback that sometimes this system doesn't effectively work, we have to look into that, but I can assure you that whether it is through that government hotline or through departmental hotlines or what not, we will provide effective channels for members of the public to reflect their hygiene concerns to us. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Sunday, August 14, 2022 Issued at HKT 16:55 NNNN
CS expresses deep sorrow over passing of Mr Ambrose S K Lee (14.8.2022)
14.8.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (August 14) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mr Ambrose S K Lee. Mr Chan said, "I first made Mr Lee's acquaintance when I worked in the Immigration Department. We worked in the department together for about 20 years. He assumed office as the Secretary for Security some time later to lead various disciplinary forces including the Immigration Department. Mr Lee's outstanding leadership, and his meticulous attitude towards and decisive approach to work, were highly respected by me and his colleagues. Under his leadership, the Immigration Department and other disciplinary forces upheld and exhibited professionalism and efficiency in an array of disciplines including immigration control, maintaining law and order in Hong Kong as a liveable city for its citizens. "Mr Lee worked in the Government for almost 40 years, having taken up such important positions as the Director of Immigration, the Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Secretary for Security. He was committed to serving the Government and Hong Kong citizens and guarding our motherland's southern gateway. After leaving the Government, he continued to care about social affairs. Not only did he make important contributions to safeguarding national security and Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, he also laid a solid foundation for the successful implementation of the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle after Hong Kong's return to the motherland. "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Lee and would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family. We have lost not just a leader much respected by his fellows in disciplinary forces, but also a mentor and friend. He will be greatly missed by all of us." Ends/Sunday, August 14, 2022 Issued at HKT 17:24 NNNN
CS welcomes and supports white paper titled &quot;The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era&quot; (10.8.2022)
10.8.2022

​The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (August 10) welcomed and supported the white paper titled "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era" (white paper) published by the Central Government. Mr Chan pointed out that the one-China principle is a widely recognised norm governing international relations and an overwhelming consensus of the international community. There is only one version and one connotation of the one-China principle, that is, there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the entire China. These are indisputable facts supported by history and the law. The white paper elaborates on the position and policies of the Central Authorities on realising national reunification. Not only does it resolutely refute any misrepresentation or distortion of the facts concerned, but it also clearly shows that any attempt or act to betray the one-China principle or seek "Taiwan independence" will definitely be futile. He said, "The white paper clearly states that peaceful reunification and 'One Country, Two Systems' are the country's basic principles for resolving the Taiwan question and the best approach to realising national reunification. As a matter of fact, the success of 'One Country, Two Systems' practised in Hong Kong over the past 25 years has won recognition throughout the world. The principle is the best institutional arrangement to ensure Hong Kong's long term prosperity and stability after our return to the motherland, embodying the country's vision that values openness and inclusiveness and serving the fundamental interests of the whole country, the nation and Hong Kong. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will continue to fully and faithfully implement the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems', and steadfastly support and facilitate the country's efforts towards peaceful national reunification, to unwaveringly safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests." Mr Chan stressed that the HKSAR Government will fully support and facilitate the country's safeguarding of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely handle Taiwan-related matters in accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the one-China principle, and the Basic Principles and Policies of the Central Government regarding the Handling of Taiwan-related Matters in Hong Kong. Ends/Wednesday, August 10, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:46 NNNN
CS firmly opposes and strongly condemns US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan (3.8.2022)
3.8.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, expressed on August 2 his firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the visit to Taiwan made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States (US), Nancy Pelosi, who overtly ignored the serious concern and firm opposition that the Central Government has repeatedly made clear. Mr Chan said that the one-China principle, with an unshakeable de facto and de jure basis, is a widely recognised norm governing international relations and an overwhelming consensus of the international community. Despite its claim about upholding all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity, the US has been backtracking on the Taiwan question. The visit to Taiwan wantonly made by Nancy Pelosi has trampled on the one-China principle. It has not only disregarded the upholding of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but has also seriously undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and constituted a gross interference in the country's internal affairs. Mr Chan condemned any act that challenges China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He will lead the bureaux and departments under his purview to fully support and facilitate the country in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely handle Taiwan-related matters in accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the one-China principle, and the Basic Principles and Policies of the Central Government regarding the Handling of Taiwan-related Matters in Hong Kong. Ends/Wednesday, August 3, 2022 Issued at HKT 0:25 NNNN
District Matters Co-ordination Task Force convenes second meeting (26.7.2022)
26.7.2022

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, today (July 26) chaired the second meeting of the District Matters Co-ordination Task Force. The Task Force unanimously endorsed the launch of a three-month territory-wide clean-up campaign in August. It has also considered the action plans submitted by various departments, including the strengthening of regular cleaning work and elimination of hygiene and street management blackspots. "Relevant departments have submitted a total of about 4 000 locations for strengthening their regular cleaning work, and about 600 hygiene and street management blackspots for elimination. All members responded to the call for action speedily and proactively proposed large-scale departmental or inter-departmental actions within their purview, demonstrating fully the departments' commitment to providing a pleasant living environment for the public and earnestly addressing people's concerns and difficulties in daily life, which is most encouraging and praiseworthy," Mr Cheuk said. "Various departments also submitted to the Task Force a host of hygiene and street management issues which involve multiple departments and for which the improvement mechanism is yet to be established. The Task Force has started deliberations on various 'long-standing, big and difficult' problems, including water seepage in buildings, garbage apartments and rodent infestation, etc. The aim is to tackle the problems as soon as possible and establish a standard mode of operation for regularised execution in the districts," he added. Senior government officials attending the meeting today included the Secretary for Environment and Ecology and his two Permanent Secretaries, and the Heads of the following 11 departments, namely: the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Buildings Department, the Drainage Services Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Highways Department, the Home Affairs Department, the Information Services Department, the Marine Department, Radio Television Hong Kong and the Transport Department. The Housing Department, the Lands Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department also sent their deputy heads to the meeting. Ends/Tuesday, July 26, 2022 Issued at HKT 17:05 NNNN
CS meets with Chairman and Deputy Chairman of LegCo House Committee (11.7.2022)
11.7.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, in his capacity as Chief Secretary for Administration of the new-term Government for the first time, had a meeting this afternoon (July 11) with the Chairman of the Legislative Council (LegCo) House Committee, Ms Starry Lee, and the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Mr Ma Fung-kwok. They will meet regularly to strengthen communication between the executive authorities and the legislature. At the meeting, Mr Chan said that the new-term Government attaches great importance to the healthy interactions between the executive authorities and the legislature as the integral foundation for starting a new chapter for Hong Kong together, and that it looks forward to joining hands with the LegCo to press ahead with fully implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and take forward the four proposals laid out by President Xi Jinping in his important speech on July 1 this year. Mr Chan particularly thanked the LegCo for having a debate at the Council meeting last week on an adjournment motion in relation to the implementation of the address made by President Xi, as well as offering valuable views and suggestions to the Government, achieving a good start for good governance. Mr Chan expressed his full confidence in the successful implementation of the executive-led system combined with the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" by the new-term Government and the LegCo, with not only checks and balances but also co-operation with each other, to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. He added that the Government will make every effort to co-operate with the LegCo in the discharge by the latter of its duties, including scrutiny of bills and funding proposals, asking of questions and debates on motions. In addition to the Chief Secretary for Administration's regular meetings with the LegCo House Committee Chairman and Deputy Chairman, the Principal Officials of the Government will proactively exchange views with the LegCo Members through various means on the Government's legislative and funding proposals, etc, to be submitted to the LegCo for scrutiny and explain them in detail. Such means include meetings of the LegCo and its relevant committees/panels and regular Ante Chamber exchange sessions at the LegCo as put forward by the Chief Executive. The aim is to formulate and implement legislation and policy initiatives that are more conducive to developing Hong Kong society and improving people's livelihood. Ends/Monday, July 11, 2022 Issued at HKT 17:16 NNNN
Second session on &quot;Spirit of the President's Important Speech&quot; held by Civil Service Bureau (11.7.2022)
11.7.2022

Following the first session last week, the Civil Service Bureau today (July 11) held the second session on "Spirit of the President's Important Speech" at the Central Government Offices. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended as keynote speaker, so as to enable the participants to obtain a deeper understanding of the spirit of the President's important speech. President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech on at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). He raised "four musts" for the new administration: we must fully and faithfully implement the principle of "one country, two systems"; we must uphold the Central Government's overall jurisdiction while securing the HKSAR's high degree of autonomy; we must ensure that Hong Kong is administered by patriots; and we must maintain Hong Kong's distinctive status and advantages. President Xi also laid down "four proposals" for the newly inaugurated Government, i.e. further improving its governance, continuing to create strong impetus for growth, earnestly addressing people's concerns and difficulties in daily life, and working together to safeguard harmony and stability. Mr Lee reiterated at the session that President Xi's important speech was of high significance as an important milestone, and provided crucial guidance on governance by the HKSAR Government in the coming five years. He encouraged the top echelon and civil servants of the HKSAR Government to grasp the core essence of President Xi's important speech, build it into their own work, join efforts to enhance governance capacity and efficacy, and enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness. He also encouraged the officials to centre their work on easing people's hardship, create harmony and stability in the community, and respect and safeguard the country's fundamental systems on their own volition. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, also shared his thoughts and feelings at the session. Some other participants shared their views at the session as well. The session today was attended by over 200 participants, mainly comprising civil servants at the rank of Directorate Pay Scale Point 3 or above and officers at the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade C. The Civil Service Bureau will run further sessions, so as to enable more civil servants to obtain a deeper understanding of the spirit of the President's important speech. Ends/Monday, July 11, 2022 Issued at HKT 16:48 NNNN
DCS to lead District Matters Co-ordination Task Force (6.7.2022)
6.7.2022

The Government announced today (July 6) the establishment of the District Matters Co-ordination Task Force. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will lead a number of bureaux and departments to enhance the overall environmental hygiene and cityscape in Hong Kong and build a clean and liveable environment through broad-based community participation. The first phase of work for the Task Force is to co-ordinate the launching of a three-month clean-up campaign against hygiene black spots across the territory. In going about its work, the Task Force will harness the combined strengths of government departments and different sectors of the community, especially the network of District Services and Community Care Teams to be set up in the 18 districts. From October this year, the Task Force will review the experience gained in the first phase of work and supervise the relevant bureaux and departments to set sustainable action plans, key performance indicators and a system for evaluating the effectiveness of their measures. The Task Force will also commence work on promoting improvement to the cityscape, such as beautifying public space, improving street furniture, and enhancing the city landscape and the community streetscape. Mr Cheuk said, "For environmental hygiene issues that involve the remits of different departments, the Task Force will tackle the issues at root, especially in clarifying the respective departmental responsibilities, rationalising procedures and consolidating government efforts. Our goal is to establish a standard mode of operation for relevant departments to handle similar issues in an efficient and effective manner henceforth. "Following the principle of aggregating forces that can be combined and solving problems together, we will invite participation from district organisations including non-governmental organisations, volunteer networks, owners' corporations, area committees and the environment and education sectors, as well as the network of District Services and Community Care Teams to be set up." The Task Force is led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, with the Environment and Ecology Bureau as the main driving party and the participation of many bureaux and departments. Other bureaux and departments will be invited to join the Task Force as and when necessary. The first meeting of the working group will be held next week. Ends/Wednesday, July 6, 2022 Issued at HKT 20:26 NNNN
Speech by CS at LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner (9.12.2022)
9.12.2022

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner today (December 9): Michael (Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Michael Lee), Winfried (Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to join you all at the gala dinner for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (the HKIR). First, I would like to thank The Hong Kong Jockey Club for their professionalism and dedication in horseracing. Organising large-scale events during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic is certainly challenging, but the Club has been able to make every single race proceed successfully. As one of the world's top racing carnivals, the HKIR is no exception. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has successfully staged this flagship event over the years. This not only echoes our local saying "馬照跑", meaning horseracing goes on as usual as a symbol for prosperity, but also showcases to the world Hong Kong's position as a centre for global racing. The HKIR is widely recognised as the "Turf World Championships". It draws leading horses, jockeys, trainers and owners from around the world to compete, and enjoys high standing among racing professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. I am very happy to see this flagship event coming up again this year and reinforcing our message to international audiences – Hong Kong is onstage again! Since assuming office, the current-term HKSAR Government has spared no effort in creating the greatest room for people's livelihood and economic activities against the COVID-19 pandemic. We are determined to bring society back to normal, with specific plans made to enable mega events to take place. We have therefore seen, over the past few months, successful events like the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, Hong Kong Legal Week, Hong Kong Masters, and Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. For the HKIR this year, it is exciting to see the gala dinner can take place again, for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. Prominent members of the global racing community are gathering in Hong Kong to have first-hand experience of how this vibrant city is onstage again. Your participation is a clear vote of confidence in Hong Kong and our strength in global racing. For those who have arrived in Hong Kong early, I am sure you have already had fruitful exchanges with your counterparts, and enjoyed the LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse. And the best is saved for last: see you all for the HKIR at Sha Tin Racecourse this coming Sunday! On that note, I wish the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races a resounding success, and everyone an enjoyable evening. Thank you very much. Ends/Friday, December 9, 2022 Issued at HKT 20:40 NNNN