kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CE meets Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore
29.5.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore, Mr Heng Swee Keat, at Government House this afternoon (May 29). Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and the Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education, Mr Chee Hong Tat, also attended the meeting. Mrs Lam congratulated Mr Heng for his promotion as the Deputy Prime Minister and welcomed his visit to Hong Kong as part of his inaugural overseas visit. Noting that the commitments made under the Free Trade Agreement between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) among Hong Kong and five ASEAN member states including Singapore will enter into force on June 11, she expressed her gratitude to the Singapore Government for its long-standing support for the signing of related agreements between Hong Kong and ASEAN. She said she believes that, with the support of the Economic and Trade Offices in Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok established by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the development of Hong Kong and ASEAN will be further strengthened and relations between the two places will be taken to a new level. Mrs Lam said that the people-to-people exchanges and trade ties between Hong Kong and Singapore have always been close and that the two places share similar backgrounds and developments. Adding that both places are among the most competitive economies in the world, she said they have a lot to learn from each other. Pointing out that Hong Kong is committed to developing innovation and technology and has devoted substantial resources and rolled out a number of specific measures, she expressed the hope to explore more collaboration in areas such as biotech, fintech and start-ups with research centres, education institutes and enterprises in Singapore. Ends/Wednesday, May 29, 2019 Issued at HKT 20:06 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
28.5.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (May 28): Reporter: Mrs Lam, you've faced accusations about lying about whether China was originally purposefully excluded from extradition laws. Former officials Anson Chan and Chris Patten have said that they were. Would you now retract your claim? And secondly, many Hongkongers are remembering the Tiananmen massacre victims this week, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the crackdown. Would you express any criticism of Beijing's actions in 1989? Chief Executive: On the first question, what I told members of the Legislative Council and the Hong Kong community was based on what was recorded in official documents, including official documents of the Legislative Council, or what we called the Hansard. Those are very authoritative official documents. At that time - 1996 and 1997 - I was a middle-rank official, so I was not involved first-hand in this particular bill going through the Legislative Council. Myself and my colleagues could only refer to the official documents on both sides - on the part of the Government, why we put forward in those days, the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance; in the official records of the Legislative Council deliberations and the official record of the debate in the Legislative Council on what each member said in the debate. Actually, in those days, there weren't many members speaking on this bill. What the other persons that you have quoted said was not based on those records. If they have insider information, perhaps it is for them to prove that their insider information is something that we should know. But up till now, I think another month has lapsed, we have not seen the documentation or the substantiation of that insider information. As far as the second question, Hong Kong is a free society. As the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, I safeguard and uphold the freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of gathering, so we respect whoever in Hong Kong wants to express whatever views on the subject matter. Thank you very much. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, May 28, 2019 Issued at HKT 12:29 NNNN
CE strongly objects to German asylum for two bail jumpers
24.5.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (May 24) told Germany's Acting Consul General in Hong Kong, Mr David Schmidt, that she strongly objects to, and deeply regrets, the reported granting of asylum to two Hong Kong residents who jumped bail to flee Hong Kong while awaiting trial on serious charges. Mrs Lam had requested the meeting with Mr Schmidt at the Chief Executive's Office this afternoon. The Director of Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, also attended the meeting. Mrs Lam stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s rule of law, law enforcement agencies and judicial independence have long been held in high regard by local and international communities. In particular, independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication is guaranteed under the Basic Law. Relevant provisions in the Basic Law also provide for the invitation of judges from other common law jurisdictions to sit on the Court of Final Appeal. She said that 14 eminent overseas judges from the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada currently sit on our Court of Final Appeal as non-permanent judges, which in itself is a testimony to the integrity of Hong Kong's rule of law and independent judiciary. That judicial system is fully practised and has been well respected for over 20 years since the establishment of the HKSAR. For example, she noted, the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report ranks Hong Kong first in Asia for judicial independence. Mrs Lam said anyone accused of breaching the law in Hong Kong would face an open and fair trial. She expressed deep regret and strong objection to the reported granting of asylum to the two bail jumpers by Germany, which had unjustifiably undermined Hong Kong’s international reputation in the rule of law and judicial independence. Mrs Lam expressed doubts as to whether the German authorities' decision had been based on the facts. She said the two men are facing serious charges including riot and assaulting police in relation to the Mong Kok riot in February 2016. The riot involved the hurling of bricks and wooden pallets, burning cars, attacking police, surrounding police vehicles, wounding others and destroying public property. She said the violent actions of the rioters had seriously jeopardised public order and safety, resulted in injuries to more than 80 Police officers and unsettled many people in Hong Kong. Given Germany's long-standing diplomatic presence in Hong Kong, such facts, which were on the public record and easily available, should have been duly taken into account by German authorities in determining the truth and voracity of any asylum claim. She said she was dismayed that apparently such a basic assessment of facts had not been made. She asked Mr Schmidt to convey her deep regrets and strong objections to the relevant German authorities. Ends/Friday, May 24, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:00 NNNN
Senior judicial appointment: Chief Judge of the High Court
22.5.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) on the appointment of the Honourable Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, as the Chief Judge of the High Court. Subject to the endorsement of the Legislative Council, the Chief Executive will make the appointment under Article 88 of the Basic Law. Mrs Lam said, "I am pleased to accept the JORC's recommendation to appoint Mr Justice Poon as the Chief Judge of the High Court. Mr Justice Poon is a highly competent judge of high integrity who commands respect within the Judiciary and from the legal profession. He is experienced in both civil and criminal appeals and possesses rich administrative experience. I am confident that Mr Justice Poon, if appointed, will discharge his duties as the Court Leader of the High Court with distinction." Article 90 of the Basic Law provides that the Chief Executive shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council on the appointment of the Chief Judge of the High Court. The Government will seek the endorsement of the Legislative Council of the recommended appointment in due course. The curriculum vitae of Mr Justice Poon is in the Annex. Ends/Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Issued at HKT 12:00 NNNN
Senior judicial appointment: non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal
22.5.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) on the appointment of the Right Honourable Lord Jonathan Sumption as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal. Subject to the endorsement of the Legislative Council, the Chief Executive will make the appointment under Article 88 of the Basic Law. Mrs Lam said, "I am pleased to accept the JORC's recommendation to appoint Lord Sumption as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal. Lord Sumption was a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom since January 2012 until he retired from the office in December 2018. He is a judge of eminent standing and reputation. I am confident that he will be a great asset to the Court of Final Appeal. "With the appointment of Lord Sumption, the panel of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions will consist of 15 eminent judges from the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. The presence of these non-permanent judges manifests the judicial independence of Hong Kong." The Court of Final Appeal is constituted by five judges when hearing and determining appeals. Since July 1, 1997, apart from very few exceptions, one of the judges has invariably been drawn from the list of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions to hear a substantive appeal on the Court of Final Appeal. Article 90 of the Basic Law provides that the Chief Executive shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council on the appointment of judges of the Court of Final Appeal. The Government will seek the endorsement of the Legislative Council of the recommended appointment in due course. The curriculum vitae of Lord Sumption is in the Annex. Ends/Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Issued at HKT 12:00 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
21.5.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (May 21): Reporter: Mrs Lam, you have been questioned if it's appropriate not to wait until after the House Committee have a conclusion on how to deal with the situation. Can you justify why are you taking the matter to the full Council at this timing? Is it weakening the legislative power of LegCo and is it appropriate for the Liaison Office to ask delegates to support the fugitive laws? Chief Executive: First of all, let me reiterate the importance I attach to relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. This has been my guiding principle since I took office in July 2017, and I have been putting in practice what I preach by going more often to the Legislative Council to listen first-hand to views expressed by Members of the Legislative Council to address their concerns and to follow up on points they have raised with me. That work has been put on proper record because every time I try to respond by progress reports or replies to the Legislative Council. The decision that we have made which was conveyed by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, yesterday to invoke Rules of Procedure 54(5) to consult the Chairman of House Committee in order to put the legislative amendments to the Legislative Council for resumption of second reading on June 12 is a very difficult decision, seen in the context of that commitment to enhance relationship between the Legislature and the Executive. This is not an act of disrespect of the Legislative Council. This is an act which we have simply no option in order to break the deadlock and the impasse that we have seen now over the scrutiny of this particular piece of legislation, and up till now I have not heard any suggestions from the non-pro-establishment members on how we could resolve this deadlock. Both camps in the Legislative Council, apart from taking part in these very confusing meetings, have also had some private session to try to resolve it, but apparently every act up till now is futile. So the Executive has taken a very responsible act to try to break this deadlock by making the decision that I have just mentioned. I would not say that this is a sort of confrontation with the Legislative Council. This is more, I would describe, a responsible and decisive act of the Executive. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Issued at HKT 13:25 NNNN
CE continues Jiangmen visit
18.5.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, continued her visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities in Jiangmen today (May 18). In the morning, Mrs Lam and Mr Nip visited China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd (CIMC) to learn about the business of its subsidiary, CIMC Modular Building Systems, which supplies construction components for the Construction Industry Council’s Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Display Centre in Kowloon Bay. MiC allows most of the labour-intensive and time-consuming processes to be accomplished in an off-site prefabrication yard, minimising the duration of work on construction sites and the demand for construction workers, thus enhancing productivity. The technique also enhances on-site safety and project quality control and reduces adverse impacts on the environment. Afterwards, Mrs Lam and Mr Nip visited Xinhui tangerine peel village to find out the development of the trade. The production of aged tangerine peels in the city has a history of hundreds of years and is known across the country for the quality. Following years of evolvement, it has become a trade with an annual production worth billions of dollars. They then visited CRRC Guangdong Co Ltd to learn about the company's manufacture and maintenance of rolling stock as well as the services of related industries. They also toured the production base of the Lee Kum Kee Group in Xinhui, Jiangmen, to know its automated production technique and quality control measures. In the afternoon, Mrs Lam and Mr Nip departed for Panyu, Guangzhou, to visit Clifford Hospital, which was founded by a Hong Kong merchant. Launched in 2001, Clifford Hospital was the first hospital in China to be accredited by Joint Commission International, and provides medical services for many Hong Kong people living nearby. Mrs Lam said that after the assumption of office, she has already visited Macao and nine Mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area, enhancing her knowledge of the characteristics and advantages of various cities. She added that Hong Kong will, in accordance with the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promulgated by the Central Government in February this year, proactively strengthen collaboration with the cities to complement each other to develop together an international first-class bay area. In the evening, Mrs Lam attended the welcome dinner of the first Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area media summit in Guangzhou. She will attend the summit's opening ceremony tomorrow (May 19), where she will deliver a speech, and then conclude her visit and return to Hong Kong. Ends/Saturday, May 18, 2019 Issued at HKT 21:10 NNNN
CE expresses sorrow over passing of Mr I M Pei
17.5.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (May 17) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chinese American architect Mr I M Pei. "One of the world's most renowned architects, Mr Pei won numerous awards over the years including the Pritzker Architecture Prize, sometimes called the Nobel Prize of architecture, in 1983, along with many other highly recognised achievements. He lived in Hong Kong for a period of time when he was young. His works are widely known to Hong Kong people, including the iconic Bank of China Tower in Central and the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. The former has become a landmark of the city and the pride of Hong Kong people. "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Pei. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family," she said. Ends/Friday, May 17, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:20 NNNN
CE meets Secretary of CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee
15.5.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee, Mr Lu Xinshe, at Government House this afternoon (May 15). The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; and the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, were also present. Mrs Lam welcomed Mr Lu's visit to Hong Kong to attend the Presentation on Guangxi Integrating the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area-Hong Kong 2019 held this morning to introduce the investment environment and the latest development of the Guangxi Province, which she was pleased to be invited to attend and deliver a speech. She said that the adoption of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as the theme of the presentation fully reflects the readiness of Guangxi to seize the opportunities brought about by the development of the Greater Bay Area. Pointing out that Hong Kong is one of the core cities of the Greater Bay Area and will play an active role in its development, she said that Hong Kong is willing to deepen co-operation with Guangxi to jointly advance the development of the Greater Bay Area. Mrs Lam said that Guangxi is an international passage linking the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and that the opening-up of the New Land-Sea Corridor provides a faster passage for the flow of goods between the nation and Southeast Asia as well as Northwest Asia and Europe. She said that Hong Kong, an international maritime and logistics centre, could strengthen co-operation in relevant areas with Guangxi to seize together the opportunities brought about by the New Land-Sea Corridor. In addition, as Hong Kong is also an international aviation hub which is actively taking forward the airport's Three-runway System, the high-end logistics centre and the SkyCity development projects, Mrs Lam said she looks forward to enhancing co-operation in aviation services with Guangxi. Ends/Wednesday, May 15, 2019 Issued at HKT 21:05 NNNN
CE to attend Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference and visit Greater Bay Area cities
14.5.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will lead a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation to attend the 21st Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference in Guangzhou on May 16. She will then visit three cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, namely Foshan, Zhaoqing and Jiangmen, and attend the first Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area media summit. On arrival in Guangzhou, Mrs Lam will attend the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference together with the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, and the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang. This being the first Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference held after the promulgation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, both sides will deliberate on the implementation of the Outline Development Plan and further collaboration between Guangdong and Hong Kong, with a view to setting out clearly the way forward and goals. In the afternoon, she and Mr Nip will start the visit to the Greater Bay Area cities, during which she will meet with leaders of the Foshan, Zhaoqing and Jiangmen Municipal Governments, as well as conducting visits to youth innovation and entrepreneurship bases and facilities of various industries including innovation and technology, medical services and culture. She will also learn about the urban planning of the cities and inspect transportation infrastructure during the visit. Mrs Lam and Mr Nip will attend the opening ceremony of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area media summit in Guangzhou on May 19 and return to Hong Kong the same day. During Mrs Lam's absence, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will be Acting Chief Executive until Mr Cheung returns to Hong Kong in the afternoon on May 16, when he will take over the role. Ends/Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Issued at HKT 13:16 NNNN
CE meets Secretary of CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee
9.5.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Secretary of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, Mr Guo Yonghang, at Government House this afternoon (May 9). The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; and the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, were also present. Mrs Lam welcomed Mr Guo's visit to Hong Kong. She said that she visited cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area including Zhuhai in late March last year, during which the trips to the rapidly developing Hengqin and the Zhuhai section of the then yet-to-open Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge were the highlights. She said that the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has substantially reduced the travelling time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai, opening up more aspects for co-operation and creating extremely favourable conditions for the development of the Greater Bay Area. In particular, enhancing the synergy between Hong Kong International Airport and Zhuhai Airport which is managed by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and strengthening their strategic co-operation in passenger and cargo traffic will be conducive to the development of a world-class airport cluster in the Greater Bay Area, she said. In addition, Mrs Lam encouraged Zhuhai to leverage Hong Kong's advantages in innovation and technology, higher education and healthcare services and deepen co-operation with Hong Kong to add new impetus to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Ends/Thursday, May 9, 2019 Issued at HKT 19:49 NNNN