kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CE to visit Europe
8.6.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit Belgium and France as well as attend a conference in Lindau, Germany, from June 14 to 25. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, and the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, will join part of the visit to France. Mrs Lam will depart for Brussels, Belgium, in the early hours on June 14. She will meet with senior officials of the European Commission and the Belgian Government, attend events to promote various advantages of Hong Kong and visit local cultural facilities. Mrs Lam will go to France in the evening on June 15 and visit Bordeaux, Marseille and Paris. She will meet with senior officials of the French Government and members of the French Parliament, and will address seminars on the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, the Belt and Road Initiative and property technology. During her stay in France, Mrs Lam will also attend a ceremony on acceptance of helicopters for the Government Flying Service and events on the promotion of co-operation in tourism. She will also visit industries in relation to innovation and technology and cultural facilities. Mrs Lam will depart for Germany in the evening on June 21 for attending the Opening Ceremony of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2018 and a session on the promotion of science innovation across different cultures in Lindau. She will take the opportunity to visit a scientific research institution in Aachen before arriving in Lindau. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the morning on June 26. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Friday, June 8, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:20 NNNN
CE reviews CSD&apos;s passing-out parade
8.6.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (June 8) reviewed the passing-out parade of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) at the Staff Training Institute in Stanley, with 38 Officers and 59 Assistant Officers II graduating. At the parade, the correctional officers marched past the reviewing officer with a collective spirit of high morale, demonstrating self-confidence, team spirit and enthusiasm as correctional officers. The newly recruited Officers and Assistant Officers II have undergone 26 and 23 weeks' training respectively. Two Officers were awarded the Principal's Shield while two Assistant Officers II were awarded the Golden Whistle for outstanding performance. Three graduates spoke to the media after the parade. Among them was Officer Mr Siu Cheong-hung, who has captained the Hong Kong Volleyball Representative Team. He said he would use his persevering spirit as an athlete to encourage persons in custody to face challenges. Officer Ms Tong Lai-sho, who was previously an Assistant Officer II and has become an Officer through an open recruitment exercise, said she hoped to work hard for the department's mission of helping Hong Kong to remain one of the safest cities in the world. Assistant Officer II Ms Lam Hoi-ting, who has completed an elderly care course, said appropriate skills and patience are required in communicating with persons in custody and she would apply her skills to encourage and assist them to return to the correct path. Ends/Friday, June 8, 2018 Issued at HKT 17:30 NNNN
Appointments to Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission
8.6.2018

The Government announced today (June 8) that the Chief Executive has appointed Madam Justice Carlye Chu Fun-ling, Mr Philip John Dykes, SC, and Mrs Pamela Chan Wong Shui as members of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (the Commission). The Chief Executive has also re-appointed Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung as a member of the Commission. "The four members will serve for a two-year term, starting from July 1 this year, to June 30, 2020," a government spokesman said. Mr Justice Robert Tang Ching, Ms Winnie Tam Wan-chi, SC, and Mr Christopher Cheng Wai-chee, serving members of the Commission, will retire from the Commission on June 30, 2018. "We wish to express our gratitude to Mr Justice Robert Tang Ching, Ms Winnie Tam Wan-chi, SC, and Mr Christopher Cheng Wai-chee, for their invaluable advice rendered to the Commission during their term of office, and for their contribution to upholding Hong Kong’s judicial independence," the spokesman said. The functions of the Commission are to advise or make recommendations to the Chief Executive regarding the filling of vacancies in judicial offices, representations from a judicial officer concerning conditions of service referred to it by the Chief Executive, and any matter affecting judicial officers which may be prescribed or which the Chief Executive may refer to it. Other members of the Commission are the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (ex-officio Chairman), the Secretary for Justice (ex-officio member), Mr Stephen Hung Wan-shun, Professor Tony Chan Fan-cheong and Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei. Ends/Friday, June 8, 2018 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
Second meeting of Chief Executive&apos;s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development held
5.6.2018

The Chief Executive's Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development held its second meeting today (June 5) to deliberate on how Hong Kong could enhance collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), pursuant to the signing of a Free Trade Agreement and a related Investment Agreement in November last year, which are expected to come into force in January 2019. Members were of the view that new opportunities for collaboration could be found in each of the five areas of connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative, namely policy co-ordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond. Members reviewed the existing trade relationship between Hong Kong and the ASEAN countries and were briefed on Hong Kong's edges in various sectors. In particular, members focused on the investment opportunities arising from the huge infrastructure needs in the ASEAN countries and discussed the strategies to fully leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages under "One Country, Two Systems" to participate in these projects. With the high level of professional expertise in Hong Kong and our position as international financial, transportation and trade centres, members agreed that Hong Kong may act as a platform for ASEAN companies accessing the Mainland market and a valuable partner for Mainland companies "going global". Members provided constructive advice to the Government on the strategies to deepen Hong Kong’s relations with the ASEAN countries. They also urged the Government to enhance its efforts in assisting the private sector to tap into the vast ASEAN market. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said, "Southeast Asia plays an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative. At present, ASEAN is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner in merchandise trade and the third largest in services trade. It is important for Hong Kong to capitalize on the existing relationship with ASEAN and take another step forward. Hong Kong will open a new Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, the third one in ASEAN after Singapore and Jakarta." The Council is a high-level body to advise the Chief Executive on Hong Kong's future development and strategies for driving innovation. It will give advice on Hong Kong's strategic positioning in the global and regional contexts and directions of economic development with an aim of enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness and growth potential, provide guidance on evidence-based research and studies on related issues with a view to enhancing policy formulation to meet changing development needs, and advise on stakeholder engagement and public participation in the policy formulation and consensus building process. Ends/Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:53 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
5.6.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (June 5): Reporter: Do you think the incident at the Shatin Central rail link has revealed some of the loopholes within the monitoring system between the Government and the MTR. And also secondly, there are reports suggesting that the Government is proposing the MTR to build some of the public housing on top of the MTR projects, can you confirm such reports? And also lastly, what's… Chief Executive: Sorry, two questions are enough for me. I don't have a very good memory these days. Now, first of all, about the monitoring of railway projects, we take it very seriously and there are established mechanisms within the Transport and Housing Bureau, Highways Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, to monitor these railway projects to ensure they are safe and effective. But it is too premature for me to comment right now on what actually has happened on that particular incident in the Hung Hom Station of the Shatin Central Link. We have asked or required the MTR Corporation Limited to submit the report to us as soon as possible, and I can assure you and assure the public, once the facts have been obtained, we will disclose the facts and tell the public if there is a need for any remedial action. As far as a report about using some of the topside developments of the mass transit railway stations for building public housing, whether it is for sale or for rental, again, this is only a speculative report. But what I want to say is, we are extremely concerned about the surging property prices in Hong Kong. The ultimate solution lies in finding more land to build more housing units, either for sale or for rental to people of Hong Kong, and my administration will exhaust every measure in order to achieve that objective. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Issued at HKT 11:48 NNNN
CE attends dragon boat race event in Tsuen Wan
3.6.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council (TWDC), Mr Chung Wai-ping, and the Vice Chairman of TWDC, Mr Wong Wai-kit, as well as District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Miss Jenny Yip, attended the 2018 Tsuen Wan Dragon Boat Race at Tsuen Wan Promenade this afternoon (June 3), at which she watched a race and presented prizes to the winners. It has been the sixth Tsuen Wan Dragon Boat Race since it was held again in 2013. With the participation of more than 120 teams from Hong Kong, Macao, Guangdong and overseas, the race attracted many members of the public to watch at the promenade, creating a joyful atmosphere. Mrs Lam toured the stalls at the venue on traditional food, local youth service, social enterprises and rehabilitation service for mental illness. In particular, the stall of Hong Kong Children and Youth Services was manned by young people of ethnic minorities in the district. Noting that Hong Kong is an inclusive society, Mrs Lam encouraged them to take part in more district and Chinese traditional cultural activities to better integrate into the Hong Kong society. Before attending the activity, she dropped by the Tsuen Wan Sports Centre which will be commissioned soon. Designed and constructed by the developer of an adjacent private housing estate, the fully-equipped sports centre has a total area of about 12 000 square metres. Its multi-purpose main arena, with a secondary arena as well, has a seating capacity of about 1 900 persons, enabling the staging of major local and international sports events. It also features the district's first public indoor play room for children and an outdoor climbing wall. The sports centre is expected to be commissioned in the third quarter of this year. "I took part in the planning of this project and other development projects in Tsuen Wan while I was serving as the Secretary for Development. I am pleased and excited to see that the sports centre will be commissioned soon. The new sports centre of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is set to further enhance the leisure and sports facilities for residents of New Territories West and enable the hosting of more major sports competitions and activities in the district, providing better quality of life for residents," Mrs Lam said. Ends/Sunday, June 3, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:55 NNNN
Appointment made to Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions
1.6.2018

The Government announced today (June 1) the re-appointment of Mr Christopher Chan Yiu-chong as Deputy Chairman of the Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions made by the Chief Executive under section 43(3) of the Public Order Ordinance (Cap 245). The above appointment will be effective from August 1, 2018, for a term of two years and was also gazetted today. The Appeal Board comprises a Chairman, two Deputy Chairmen and 13 members, all of whom are not public officers. The Appeal Board is responsible for considering appeals against the decision of the Commissioner of Police to prohibit a public meeting, object to a public procession or impose or amend conditions on a public meeting or public procession under sections 9, 14, 11 or 15 of the Public Order Ordinance respectively. The Appeal Board is empowered to confirm, reverse or vary the decision being appealed against. Ends/Friday, June 1, 2018 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Appointment of self-recommended young members to ACAN
1.6.2018

The Government today (June 1) announced that the Chief Executive has appointed two new young members, Dr Lee Tin-yan and Miss Li Ka-yan, to the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) as recommended through the Pilot Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth. Their appointments are for a two-year term from June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2020. ACAN is the Government's advisory body on anti-drug matters. The membership list of ACAN is as follows: Chairman ----------- Dr Ben Cheung Kin-leung Members ----------- Mr Chan Man-ho Mr Chan Wing-kin Mr Edwin Cheng Shing-lung Professor Cheung Yuet-wah Mr Fan Hoi-kit Dr Susan Fan Yun-sun Mr Hui Yung-chung Mr Simon Ip Shing-hing Miss Anna-Mae Koo Mei-jong Ms Lisa Lau Man-man Dr Lee Tin-yan (appointed through the Self-recommendation Scheme) Miss Li Ka-yan (appointed through the Self-recommendation Scheme) Dr Annissa Lui Wai-ling Mr Irons Sze Mr Sunny Tan Dr Tik Chi-yuen Dr Tse Man-li Ms Susan Yeung Director, Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore Secretary for Education or his representative Commissioner of Police or his representative Commissioner of Customs and Excise or his representative Director of Health or his representative Director of Social Welfare or his representative Commissioner for Narcotics Ends/Friday, June 1, 2018 Issued at HKT 14:30 NNNN
Speech by CE at Groundbreaking Ceremony for Hong Kong Palace Museum
28.5.2018

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Hong Kong Palace Museum today (May 28): I am delighted to be here today for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Hong Kong Palace Museum. As the much anticipated West Kowloon Cultural District is gradually becoming a prominent landmark on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour, the Hong Kong Palace Museum will be the jewel on the crown. It will enrich the scope of the cultural district, complementing traditional Chinese performing arts showcased at the Xiqu Centre with visual arts while at the same time juxtaposing the ancient with the contemporary in visual culture together with M+. The Hong Kong Palace Museum builds on the very strong and solid co-operation we have had with the Palace Museum over the years. You may recall that every time we put up an exhibition of the Palace Museum treasures in town, it was always a blockbuster. With the new dedicated museum, local residents and visitors will enjoy long-term opportunities to appreciate the exquisite Palace Museum collection, to be curated in a comprehensive and in-depth manner with Hong Kong characteristics. Delivering this world class museum to Hong Kong is no easy task. We are deeply grateful for the strong support of the Central Government and relevant agencies for this project, as well as the generous donation of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Today's ceremony marks another key milestone as the project enters into the construction phase. I wish it all the best and, like every one of us in Hong Kong, eagerly look forward to its early completion and opening. Thank you very much. Ends/Monday, May 28, 2018 Issued at HKT 16:07 NNNN
Speech by CE at HK Fire Services Department 150th anniversary grand parade
9.5.2018

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Hong Kong Fire Services Department 150th anniversary grand parade held at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy today (May 9): It is a great pleasure to be here, an honour to serve as Reviewing Officer for the Hong Kong Fire Services Department's 150th anniversary grand parade. I was pleased to be here just over two years ago at the formal opening of the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy, another milestone in the long, proud history of the Department, which began life as the Hong Kong Fire Brigade on this very day in 1868. From a brigade of some 100 personnel to today's elite force of more than 10 000 professionals is a compelling statement of the Fire Services Department and its unwavering vision - that has always been to serve Hong Kong, to make our city, our community, a safe place in which to live and work. In pursuit of that goal, the Department has over the years established a number of specialist teams. They work to enhance operational safety and efficiency, while promoting fire safety and ensuring quality ambulance services. Those efforts received a rousing boost with the opening of this state-of-the-art Academy, with its specialised training facilities and more than 500 residential training places. The Academy, I should add, welcomes our Mainland and overseas counterparts for fire and ambulance training. Here, they can also exchange professional views and insight on different areas, from firefighting and safety to rescue and paramedic ambulance services. Apart from enhancing professional standards, the Academy's work will help strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and other places. I encourage the Academy to continue its efforts. The 150th anniversary of the Fire Services Department features a year-long parade of special events - for the public as well as industry professionals. That includes the three-day Fire Asia Conference, right here at the Academy. The Conference has attracted fire brigades and industry experts from all over the world. For our guests from overseas, I wish you all the best of business at the conference and a very memorable stay in Hong Kong. Once again, let me say how grateful I am to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, proudly serving Hong Kong now for 150 years. Thank you very much. Ends/Wednesday, May 9, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:39 NNNN
Statement by Chief Executive&apos;s Office on surrender of fugitive offender to other jurisdiction
31.5.2018

The Chief Executive's Office today (May 31) issued the following statement in respect of recent media reports on a fugitive surrender request made by the US Government: While it is inappropriate to discuss individual surrender cases in public, all requests for the surrender of fugitive offenders are processed strictly in accordance with the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance (Cap. 503) and in the context of relevant agreements concluded with the respective jurisdictions for the surrender of fugitive offenders. For requests received from the US Government for the surrender of fugitive offenders, the Agreement between the Government of Hong Kong and the Government of the United States of America for the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders is applicable. On receipt of each and every surrender request from another jurisdiction, the Chief Executive must first issue authority to proceed before the request can be processed further. A decision on whether to issue authority to proceed on the advice of the Department of Justice rests solely and entirely with the Chief Executive under section 6(2) of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance (Cap. 503). Such a decision is only to be made after taking into full account the relevant facts and circumstances of each case for the purpose of complying with the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance (Cap. 503) and the applicable bilateral agreement. Under the above-mentioned Agreement, situations under which a surrender request may be refused are clearly set out. These relevant provisions are reproduced in the Annex. In a recent Hong Kong Policy Act Report submitted by the US State Department to the US Congress, it was mentioned that in respect of a fugitive surrender request made by the US Government, the Chief Executive refused the request in October 2017 "at the behest of the Central Government". The statement suggests that the Chief Executive's decision in the case concerned was made in a manner other than in accordance with the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance (Cap. 503) or the Agreement. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government deeply regrets to see the inclusion of this inaccurate statement in the above-mentioned Report to the US Congress. Currently, there is no surrender of fugitive offenders arrangement between the HKSAR and the Mainland. Therefore, no surrender of a fugitive has ever been made to the Mainland. The HKSAR Government deals with any movement of persons in and out of Hong Kong in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong. Ends/Thursday, May 31, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:25 NNNN