kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
26.3.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (March 26): Reporter: Mrs Lam, is the Government likely to drop the tunnel toll motion and any obstacles that the officials and the administration are encountering on this matter now? Secondly, an official from Taiwan did say it may issue a travel alert to Hong Kong if Hong Kong goes ahead with the extradition law amendment. Would you take it as a warning in a legitimate way to even change the plans that the Government is proposing now? The Chief Executive: As far as the Government's position on the rationalisation of cross-harbour traffic through the three tunnels, since my announcement in the Policy Address last October, for over four, five months, the Secretary for Transport and Housing and his colleagues have made huge efforts to explain, to clarify, to address concerns and also lately to introduce an additional improvement by setting up the smart traffic fund. At the end of day, if members of the Legislative Council for various reasons could not support the current proposal, then what we could do as the Government is to respect that particular decision. But what I'm saying is that should not be interpreted as a means of Government weakening her governance because this is a very practical way of taking forward things that have been bothering people for a long time. As to what will then happen with the traffic congestion in Hong Kong, you have to wait a while. We will find an opportunity, an early opportunity, to give a detailed account of the present situation and the future measures that we will adopt to address this traffic congestion problem. As far as the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance amendments are concerned, I do not wish to comment on any particular comments made by external parties, except to say that we are doing it really to ensure public safety and to ensure justice is done. So, we will continue with our work. The Secretary for Security has run round various chambers and organisations to listen to their views and concerns. When we are in a position to announce what then will happen, as far as the legislative amendments are concerned, we will do so in an early opportunity. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, March 26, 2019 Issued at HKT 14:28 NNNN
CE attends China Development Forum 2019 in Beijing
25.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, this morning (March 25) attended the China Development Forum 2019 organised by the Development Research Centre of the State Council at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing and delivered a speech at the session on "The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: A Rising Star in the Global Economy". Elaborating on the characteristics of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development from a global economy perspective in her speech, Mrs Lam quoted the three "unprecedented circumstances" surrounding the Greater Bay Area development as described by the Vice Premier of the State Council, Mr Han Zheng, in his remarks at the second plenary meeting of the Greater Bay Area Leading Group. He said that the high-level support and commitment to the Greater Bay Area by the Central Government is unprecedented; the response of the three governments and various sectors in the three places is highly enthusiastic; and the Greater Bay Area will take on an unprecedented historic role in the country's further reform and opening up. She emphasised that Hong Kong will faithfully uphold the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and leverage on the city's clear and compelling strengths. Citing Hong Kong's strengths in finance and innovation and technology as examples, Mrs Lam said Hong Kong can play an active role in the Greater Bay Area development. The Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ma Xingrui, and the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Chui Sai-on, also spoke in the session. Together with Mrs Lam, they answered questions from the participating guests. The session on the Greater Bay Area was one of the eight sessions in this year's forum, demonstrating the Greater Bay Area's key status in the national development. Mrs Lam yesterday (March 24) attended the forum's opening ceremony and listened to the keynote speech delivered by Mr Han. She also attended various sessions with different guest speakers and the forum's 20th Anniversary Welcome Banquet. Vice President Wang Qishan attended the dinner to welcome guests from different places. The China Development Forum has been hosted annually since 2000 with the aim of "Engaging with the World for Common Prosperity". The forum serves as a pivotal platform for dialogues between leaders of the Central Government, the global business community and international organisations as well as academia at home and abroad. The theme of this year's forum is "Greater Opening-up for Win-Win Cooperation" and the event is being held for three consecutive days (from March 23 to 25) in Beijing. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong this afternoon. Ends/Monday, March 25, 2019 Issued at HKT 14:35 NNNN
CE to attend Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference
24.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit Hainan from March 27 to 29 to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2019. The theme of this year's conference is "Shared Future, Concerted Action, Common Development". The Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the visit. On March 28, Mrs Lam will attend the opening ceremony of the annual conference, and the Women Roundtable to discuss with other panelists on "The Power of Women and the Value of Balance". She will speak at the "ASEAN-China Governors / Mayors' Dialogue" session on March 29. While in Hainan, she will also meet with the leaders of some provinces, cities and organisations, and have an exchange session with the Hong Kong student volunteers at the annual conference. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on March 29. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Sunday, March 24, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:30 NNNN
CE visits Conghua in Guangzhou
23.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, attended the opening ceremony of the first Exhibition Raceday held by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) in collaboration with the local government at the Conghua Racecourse in Conghua, Guangzhou today (March 23). Addressing the opening ceremony, Mrs Lam said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), with its experience in the organisation of horse races and enforcement of stringent animal and plant quarantine measures over the years, implemented the first Specific Equine Disease-free Zone in the Mainland in Conghua jointly with the relevant Mainland authorities and the Guangdong Provincial Government, and developed the former Asian Games equestrian venue into the current world-class horse training centre and racecourse, providing a support base for the sport of horse racing in Hong Kong and also promoting the development of equestrian sports in the country. She pointed out that the establishment and continued operation of the Disease-free Zone and the racecourse are fruitful outcomes brought about by the joint efforts of the HKSAR and the Mainland which employ their respective strengths, and is a successful model in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. Mrs Lam viewed the first race, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy, after the opening ceremony and officiated at the prize presentation ceremony. The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhang Xiaoming, the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ma Xingrui and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Wang Zhimin also attended the activity. In the morning, Mrs Lam visited various facilities at the Conghua Racecourse, including the horse training ground as well as the first world-class equine hospital and rehabilitation centre in the Mainland. She also attended a gala dinner hosted by the HKJC after arriving in Conghua yesterday (March 22). Mrs Lam will depart for Beijing this afternoon and attend the 20th China Development Forum on March 24 and 25. Ends/Saturday, March 23, 2019 Issued at HKT 17:53 NNNN
CE meets Kaohsiung City Mayor
22.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met with the visiting Kaohsiung City Mayor, Mr Han Kuo-yu, this morning (March 22) and hosted a lunch for him at Government House. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, were also present. Mrs Lam welcomed Mr Han's first trip to Hong Kong after his assumption of office to attend an agricultural product promotion event in the afternoon and conduct other visits. She pointed out that Hong Kong and Taiwan have frequent trade, economic and people-to-people exchanges and that the two places are major trading partners and sources of tourists for each other. Hong Kong is an international financial, trade, transportation and logistics centre where many Taiwanese enterprises have established a presence, covering financial services, innovation and technology, catering and consumer products, to leverage Hong Kong's advantages to open up the Mainland and overseas markets. Mrs Lam said she welcomes more high-quality agricultural and fisheries products to be exported from Kaohsiung to Hong Kong, or re-exported via Hong Kong to other places in the future. She also expressed the hope that Mr Han's visit will promote further exchanges between Hong Kong and Kaohsiung, presenting more room for co-operation. Ends/Friday, March 22, 2019 Issued at HKT 13:10 NNNN
Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission appointed
22.3.2019

The Government announced today (March 22) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Ricky Chu Man-kin as the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) for a term of three years commencing April 11, 2019, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap 480). Mr Chu has worked in the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for a total of 35 years, and was the Director of Investigation before retirement. He also headed the Secretariat of the Independent Police Complaints Council for over five years. He has rich experience in public administration. A government spokesman said, "An open recruitment exercise was conducted through a human resources consultant to select the EOC Chairperson. A Selection Board was set up to carefully consider each candidate and make recommendation to the Chief Executive. "The selection criteria included knowledge, ideals and passion towards equal opportunities and anti-discrimination, extensive administrative experience and leadership as well as good communication skills and so forth. "Mr Chu has extensive experience in public service. He is fair and impartial and possesses good leadership, management and communication capabilities. We expect that under Mr Chu's leadership, the EOC will continue to actively promote equal opportunities and eliminate discrimination in the community." The Government also expressed gratitude for the work of Professor Alfred Chan Cheung-ming, the incumbent Chairperson, at the EOC over the past three years. The spokesman said, "During the term of office of Professor Chan, the EOC has continued to effectively implement the four anti-discrimination ordinances, and laid a good foundation which facilitated the introduction of the Discrimination Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill by the Government into the Legislative Council. Once the Bill is passed, the scope of protection under the anti-discrimination ordinances will be expanded. The EOC has also promoted equal opportunities in the community and raised public awareness of the EOC through various publicity and educational initiatives." Chaired by Mr Bernard Chan, the Selection Board appointed to advise the Chief Executive on the recruitment comprised Dr Lam Ching-choi, Ms Shalini Mahtani, Professor Daniel Shek, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs. Ends/Friday, March 22, 2019 Issued at HKT 12:00 NNNN
CE meets Vice-President of All-China Women&apos;s Federation
21.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), Ms Huang Xiaowei, at the Chief Executive's Office this morning (March 21). The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, also attended the meeting. Mrs Lam welcomed Ms Huang's visit to Hong Kong with a delegation to attend the reception in celebration of International Women's Day held by the Hong Kong Federation of Women at Government House this evening. She said she was pleased that the delegation would visit a number of groups and organisations that promote the rights of women, youth and children to exchange views and share experiences with them during their stay in Hong Kong. Mrs Lam said that she, as the first female Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), has an important and huge responsibility in advancing women's development. She said that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to and plays an active role in promoting various aspects of women's development. Recognising women's contributions to families and society, she said that the Government will, through a series of support measures, encourage more women to join or stay in the labour market to unleash the female labour force, allowing them to give full play to their potential. She thanked the ACWF for its support and care for women's development in the HKSAR all along and expressed the hope that the ACWF will continue to support the HKSAR Government’s work for the benefit of women. Ends/Thursday, March 21, 2019 Issued at HKT 20:00 NNNN
CE meets Secretary-General of International Telecommunication Union
20.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the visiting Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Mr Zhao Houlin, at Government House this afternoon (March 20). Welcoming Mr Zhao's visit to Hong Kong, Mrs Lam congratulated him on his re-election with overwhelming support as the Secretary-General of the ITU. She said she hopes that Mr Zhao's visit in Hong Kong over the coming days will enhance his understanding of Hong Kong's telecommunications industry and related areas, and strengthen ties and co-operation between Hong Kong and the ITU in the future. Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong has a first-class telecommunications network, with Internet and mobile penetration rates among the highest in the world, and that the city will continue to enhance its telecommunications infrastructure to lay a solid foundation for development as a smart city. She pointed out that Hong Kong, with excellent city management and professional services, will participate actively in the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in boosting people-to-people bonds. She said the city is willing to share its experiences with and provide relevant training to developing regions and countries to strengthen their capacity. Ends/Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Issued at HKT 19:30 NNNN
CE to visit Conghua in Guangzhou and Beijing
18.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has accepted the invitations to visit Conghua in Guangzhou and Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of Exhibition Raceday at Conghua Racecourse and the 20th China Development Forum respectively. Mrs Lam will depart for Conghua in Guangzhou in the afternoon this Friday (March 22) and attend the opening ceremony of the first Exhibition Raceday to be held by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in collaboration with the Conghua District Government at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Conghua Racecourse the next day. Opened in August last year, the Conghua Racecourse is an important collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangdong. When Guangzhou hosted the Asian Games in 2010, to facilitate overseas horses to take part in the Games in the Mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with its experience in the organisation of horseraces and enforcement of stringent animal and plant quarantine measures over the years, implemented the first Specific Equine Disease-free Zone in the Mainland in Conghua jointly with the relevant Mainland authorities and the Guangdong Provincial Government, the standard of which was recognised internationally. The Hong Kong Jockey Club later developed the Asian Games equestrian venue into the current Conghua Racecourse, providing high-quality facilities for horse training. The racecourse is now an important support base for the sport of horse racing in Hong Kong. Mrs Lam will depart for Beijing from Guangzhou in the evening on March 23 and attend the 20th China Development Forum on March 24 and 25. The theme of this year's forum is "Greater Opening-up for Win-Win Cooperation". Mrs Lam will speak at a session on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The China Development Forum has been hosted annually by the Development Research Centre of the State Council since 2000 with the aim of "Engaging with the World for Common Prosperity". The forum serves as a pivotal platform for dialogues between leaders of the Central Government, global business community and international organisations as well as the academia at home and abroad. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on March 25. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Monday, March 18, 2019 Issued at HKT 23:22 NNNN
CE meets Japan Science and Technology Agency delegation
18.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met with the visiting Executive Director of the Japan Science and Technology Agency, Dr Yoshimasa Goto, and his delegation at Government House this afternoon (March 18). The Ambassador and Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong, Mr Mitsuhiro Wada, and the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, also attended the meeting. Welcoming the delegation's visit to Hong Kong, Mrs Lam said she was pleased to meet with Dr Goto again after her visit to Japan at the end of October last year. She said that she was impressed during the five-day visit by Japan's development and outstanding achievements in innovation and technology (I&T) . While in Japan, she met with representatives of a number of research institutions, universities and the industry to introduce to them Hong Kong's advantages and prospects in scientific research, and she realised that both sides were keen to further their co-operation. Indeed, a joint statement was issued by her and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Taro Kono, during her visit on deepening and broadening of co-operation between the two places, in which I&T was one of the areas covered. Noting that the delegation will visit the Hong Kong Science Park and the Cyberport, the two flagship I&T infrastructures in Hong Kong, as well as local universities in the coming days, she said she believes that the visits will help enhance mutual understanding. Mrs Lam said that the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was promulgated last month and that the country attaches great importance to I&T development in the Plan. Pointing out that Hong Kong possesses sound scientific research capabilities, outstanding technology talents and world-class universities, she said that Hong Kong will strive to leverage its advantages to complement the development of the Greater Bay Area as an international I&T hub. She expressed the hope that renowned I&T enterprises and education institutions in Japan would actively consider establishing a presence in Hong Kong to jointly seize the opportunities brought by the development of the Greater Bay Area. Ends/Monday, March 18, 2019 Issued at HKT 22:28 NNNN
CE meets members of Congressional US-China Working Group
18.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, met with the visiting Co-Chairs of the Congressional US-China Working Group (USCWG), Mr Rick Larsen and Mr Darin LaHood, and four members of the USCWG this morning (March 18). The President of the National Committee on US-China Relations, Mr Stephen Orlins, and the Consul General of the United States to Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Kurt Tong, also attended the meeting. Mrs Lam welcomed the visit of the congressmen to see for themselves Hong Kong's latest developments and situation. She pointed out that since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has successfully implemented "One Country, Two Systems". In particular, the rule of law and judicial independence, fully protected by the Basic Law, are the cornerstones of the city's success and key factors in maintaining the confidence of the business sector. She said that Hong Kong ranks among the best in the world in terms of judicial independence and the rule of law, and that justice is further safeguarded with the city's comprehensive legal aid system. She also stressed that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. It has the constitutional duty to safeguard national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and exercises a high degree of autonomy in accordance with the Basic Law. Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong and the US have close economic and trade ties and that the US is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner and enjoys the highest trade surplus with Hong Kong among all other economies, with the US goods trade surplus with Hong Kong reaching US$31.1 billion last year. Among the 8 754 business operations in Hong Kong with parent companies overseas and in Mainland China, more than 1 300 are from the US, of which more than half are operating as regional headquarters or regional offices in Hong Kong. She expressed the hope that Hong Kong and the US will strengthen mutually beneficial co-operation, expanding common interests. Mrs Lam pointed out that Hong Kong is striving to advance the development of innovation and technology and welcomed more US institutions and technology enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong. She also said she hopes that Hong Kong and the US will strengthen exchanges and collaboration in various aspects such as culture and arts, youth exchanges and mutual assistance between law enforcement agencies. During its stay in Hong Kong, the USCWG has also met the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau. Ends/Monday, March 18, 2019 Issued at HKT 20:22 NNNN
CE expresses sorrow over terrorist attack victims in New Zealand
15.3.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 15) expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the terrorist attack in New Zealand and extended sympathies and condolences to the injured and families of the victims. "Hong Kong and New Zealand are open and diverse societies, embracing respect and inclusiveness. We are deeply shocked and saddened by the severe casualties caused by the terrorist attack in New Zealand. Our thoughts are with the New Zealand people during this difficult time and we strongly condemn the terrorist attack," Mrs Lam said. Ends/Friday, March 15, 2019 Issued at HKT 23:13 NNNN