kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Annual updating of declarations of interests by CE, politically appointed officials and ExCo Members
23.7.2021

A Government spokesman said today (July 23) that the Chief Executive (CE), politically appointed officials and Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) have updated their annual declarations of interests, and the updated declarations are available on government websites for public inspection. The updated declaration of interests of the CE has been uploaded to the website of the Chief Executive's Office ( www.ceo.gov.hk/eng/links.html ). The declarations of interests of politically appointed officials, made in accordance with the Code for Officials under the Political Appointment System (PAO Code), have also been updated and uploaded to the websites of the respective offices or bureaux. Information on the registrable interests for ExCo (including that of the President as well as Official and Non-official ExCo Members) has also been uploaded to the ExCo website after updating ( www.ceo.gov.hk/exco/eng/interests.html ). The PAO Code stipulates that politically appointed officials shall declare their investments and interests on appointment and annually thereafter. These declarations are uploaded to the websites of the respective offices or bureaux. The CE voluntarily observes the above declaration arrangement. ExCo Members are likewise required to declare their registrable interests on appointment and annually thereafter. These declarations are uploaded to the ExCo website. Ends/Friday, July 23, 2021 Issued at HKT 16:41 NNNN
CE meets with Vice-Minister of Culture and Tourism
21.7.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (July 21) met with the Vice-Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Zhang Xu, at Government House. Also present were the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu. Welcoming Mr Zhang's visit to Hong Kong, Mrs Lam said that she was pleased to attend with him a summit on developing Hong Kong into a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world, organised by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association this afternoon. She thanked the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for its long-standing support to Hong Kong's art and cultural development, including its participation in the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the establishment of the Hong Kong Palace Museum as well as its promotion of art and cultural exchanges and co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Mrs Lam said that the "Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035" approved in March this year has included, for the first time, Hong Kong's cultural status in the national plan and mentioned its support for Hong Kong to develop as a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. It is a recognition of the city's cultural achievements, and provides a shot in the arm for the cultural sector. She noted that the HKSAR Government was deeply encouraged and will continue to make efforts on various fronts to achieve the goal of developing into a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. This includes setting up world-class cultural facilities and spaces for diversified culture, establishing close ties with renowned overseas cultural institutions, continually promoting cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland, making good use of innovation and technology as well as nurturing talents. On tourism, Mrs Lam pointed out that amid the COVID-19 epidemic, cross-boundary travel around the world has been ground to a halt, and that tourism and other related industries in Hong Kong have been dealt a heavy blow. She said that Hong Kong is putting in place stringent measures to control the epidemic and is striving to enhance the vaccination rate to create a favourable condition for the resumption of cross-boundary people flow between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Various support measures have also been rolled out to tide the sector over the difficult time. She expressed her gratitude to Mr Zhang for taking the time to meet the local tourism sector during his stay in Hong Kong to learn more about its situation. She said that she hopes to collaborate with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to relaunch cross-boundary travel between the Mainland and Hong Kong after the stabilisation of the disease in the future. Ends/Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Issued at HKT 20:33 NNNN
CE attends APEC Informal Leaders&apos; Retreat
16.7.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Informal Leaders' Retreat via video conferencing tonight (July 16) to exchange views with leaders of the other economies on strategies to fight against COVID-19 and accelerate economic recovery. The retreat was hosted by the Prime Minister of New Zealand and Chair of APEC 2021, Ms Jacinda Ardern. The session began with a briefing by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Ms Kristalina Georgieva, on the global economic situation, and the Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization, Dr Michael Ryan, on the pandemic situation around the world. In the proceedings that followed, participating leaders took turns sharing their views on collaboration opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region to emerge from the health crisis and accelerate the economic recovery in a manner that will lay the foundation for a better future. Highlighting the importance of vaccines, Mrs Lam said that it is imperative for APEC member economies to ensure adequate access to vaccines and take part in the World Health Organization system. For places like Hong Kong, China, the Government has to double its efforts to overcome people's "vaccine hesitancy" in order to build a defence immunity as soon as possible, she said, adding that Hong Kong is racing against time to do so through public-private collaboration. As members of the global community, Mrs Lam called on APEC member economies to pursue areas for further collaboration. These include collective efforts to remove unnecessary trade barriers and enhance trade facilitation to support open and effective supply chains for vaccines, gradually resume cross-border travel when public health conditions are met, facilitate research and development, enhance the application of technology to prevent the spread of the virus in the community and to cure the infected. She also took the opportunity to reaffirm Hong Kong's commitment to multilateralism and appeal to APEC member economies to inject political impetus into the negotiations under the World Trade Organization. At the end of the meeting, Mrs Lam and leaders of the other economies adopted a statement on overcoming COVID-19 and accelerating economic recovery. The leaders will meet again virtually at the annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November this year. Ends/Friday, July 16, 2021 Issued at HKT 21:49 NNNN
CE launches Policy Address consultation sessions
15.7.2021

The public consultation exercise for the 2021 Policy Address was launched on July 6. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (July 15) held the first consultation session at Government House to listen to the views of stakeholders on the upcoming Policy Address in respect of health technology. The session was attended by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit; the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; and officials from the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Education Bureau, Invest Hong Kong and the Department of Health. Also participating in the session were more than 30 stakeholders, consisting of a Legislative Council member, scientists and a university president together with representatives from a faculty of medicine, scientific research institutions, private hospitals and venture capital funds, as well as the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited. Mrs Lam said after the two-hour or so consultation session that she had held very meaningful exchanges of views with the stakeholders. She pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been pressing ahead with the development of innovation and technology (I&T) in the city, with innovative healthcare and health technology being one of the focus areas. She noted that the COVID-19 anti-epidemic work has highlighted the importance of the application of I&T and that health technology should be widely used in society to meet the various challenges arising from the ageing population. She added that Hong Kong has good prospects in developing health technology and exploring the immense business opportunities. She expressed her gratitude to the stakeholders for their participation and views and said that she would consider in full their opinions while she formulates the Policy Address. Mrs Lam will continue to hold some 30 other consultation sessions via physical meetings or video conferencing in the coming two months. Areas to be covered range from people's livelihoods and welfare, finance, commerce and trade, aviation, legal services, I&T, education and labour to land and housing, medical and health services, sports, arts and culture and sustainable development. She will also meet with specific groups and representatives as well as members of the public to listen to their views on various topics. Ends/Thursday, July 15, 2021 Issued at HKT 18:57 NNNN
Carrie Lam visits Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People&apos;s Government in the HKSAR and Police National Security Department
14.7.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, who chairs the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), visited the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR (CPG Office on National Security) and the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force this afternoon (July 14) to review with the leaders of the CPG Office on National Security and colleagues of the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force the effectiveness of the implementation of the National Security Law over the past year and look forward to the work ahead. Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the CPG Office on National Security for its effective discharge of duty in accordance with the National Security Law under the leadership of Mr Zheng Yanxiong, including overseeing, guiding, coordinating with and providing support to the HKSAR in its work in safeguarding national security. "The National Security Law has turned chaos to order and restored stability in Hong Kong society. Over the past year, national security awareness has gradually increased in Hong Kong, to which the CPG Office on National Security has made significant contributions. I, on behalf of the HKSAR Government, express gratitude to the Central Authorities and the CPG Office on National Security," she said. Mrs Lam fully acknowledged the effective enforcement of the National Security Law by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force over the past year, noting that they have been taking up the responsibility of safeguarding national security steadfastly. "Safeguarding national security is an honourable and vital duty. As the national security risks in the HKSAR have not been completely eradicated, all of us are required to continue to discharge our duty to safeguard national security with profound courage and full confidence," Mrs Lam said. Ends/Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Issued at HKT 23:52 NNNN
Policy Address consultation launched
6.7.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (July 6) announced the commencement of the public consultation for the 2021 Policy Address. Mrs Lam will conduct some 30 consultation sessions to listen to views and suggestions from members of the Legislative Council and representatives of different sectors as well as the general public on the coming Policy Address. "The 2021 Policy Address is the fifth, and the last to be delivered in this term of the Government. Over the past two years, Hong Kong has encountered tough challenges. With the strong support of the Central Government, social and political stability has been restored in the city. It is time for Hong Kong to forge ahead with renewed perseverance, particularly in reviving the economy and rebuilding hope and confidence. In the coming two months, I will conduct consultation sessions to widely receive views and suggestions from various sectors as well as the community at large. I sincerely invite members of the public to give their views on the 2021 Policy Address so that we can map out the future of Hong Kong together," Mrs Lam said. Starting from today, members of the public can give their views through the Policy Address website ( www.policyaddress.gov.hk ), via the dedicated Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/PolicyAddress2021 ) or Instagram account ( www.instagram.com/PolicyAddress2021 ) for the 2021 Policy Address public consultation, or by email ( policyaddress@pico.gov.hk ), phone (2432 1899) or fax (2537 9083). The Chief Executive will deliver the 2021 Policy Address on October 6, 2021. Ends/Tuesday, July 6, 2021 Issued at HKT 11:10 NNNN
CE to lead delegation to attend Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference in Guiyang
4.7.2023

​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will lead a delegation to Guiyang, Guizhou Province, tomorrow (July 5) to attend the 2023 Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference. Members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government delegation will include the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; and the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo. Approved by the State Council, the PPRD Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference is an important regional co-operation and exchange platform which was put forward and established jointly by nine PPRD Mainland provinces/regions and Hong Kong and Macao SARs (9+2) in 2004. During the visit to Guiyang, Mr Lee will attend the PPRD Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference. He will also meet with leaders of various provinces/regions and visit innovation and technology facilities in Guiyang. Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on July 7. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive. During the absence of Mr Yau, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. During the absence of Mr Lam, the Under Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Liu Chun-san, will be the Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics. During the absence of Professor Sun, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, will be the Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry. Ends/Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Issued at HKT 11:45 NNNN
CE meets Vice Minister of Publicity Department of CPC Central Committee and President and Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group
29.6.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President and Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group (CMG), Mr Shen Haixiong, at Government House today (June 29) to exchange views on deepening the co-operation between Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) and CMG. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Eddie Cheung, also attended the meeting. Mr Lee welcomed Mr Shen's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation and thanked CMG for its continuous support to the work of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). He said that the launch of the CGTN Documentary channel and Radio The Greater Bay in Hong Kong through RTHK from July 1 last year has hugely enhanced Hong Kong citizens' understanding of the country's development and livelihood, which is remarkably effective in engendering their sense of citizenship and the national identity. Mr Lee said he is pleased to learn that to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, the CGTN English Channel will be launched on the new RTHK 35 Channel and RTHK's online platform under CMG's support. Also, CMG has gifted a series of exquisite programmes to RTHK, and will co-produce a number of radio programmes with RTHK so as to enhance the people-to-people bonds between Hong Kong and the motherland. Mr Lee thanked CMG for its continuous support under Mr Shen's leadership to the HKSAR Government. He also thanked CMG for the generous gifts which allow Hong Kong audiences to enjoy more excellent programmes from the Mainland. He said the Government of the HKSAR will endeavour to continue the close co-operation with CMG, and he is confident that RTHK can tell the good stories of the country and Hong Kong through CMG's diverse transmission channels and international network, thereby deepening citizens' understanding of the country and its development, and nurturing their affection for the motherland. Ends/Thursday, June 29, 2023 Issued at HKT 16:16 NNNN
Celebration events for 26th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
29.6.2023

​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and senior government officials will attend a flag-raising ceremony and a reception on July 1 (Saturday) to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The flag-raising ceremony will be held at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai at 8am. Community leaders and members of uniform groups will attend the ceremony. No public viewing area will be set up. The Police Band will perform at the ceremony and a choir from St Paul's Co-educational College will sing the national anthem under the lead of two singers, Mr Chen Yong and Ms Phoebe Tam, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services. The celebration reception, led by the Chief Executive, will be held at the Grand Hall on Level 3 of the HKCEC after the flag-raising ceremony. Motorists are reminded that the Police will implement special traffic arrangements at Golden Bauhinia Square and the nearby area during the celebration events. Ends/Thursday, June 29, 2023 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
CE meets Secretary of CPC Fujian Provincial Committee
27.6.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, Mr Zhou Zuyi, at Government House today (June 27) to exchange views on strengthening Hong Kong's co-operation with Fujian. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, also attended the meeting. Mr Lee welcomed Mr Zhou and his delegation's visit to Hong Kong. He said that the relationship between Fujian and Hong Kong has always been close, adding that Hong Kong has been the largest source of external direct investment in the province in recent years. Mr Lee said he was confident that with the gradual recovery of the global economy, the economic and trade co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian will bring new impetus to the economic growth of both places. He wished the Fourth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference to be held in Hong Kong tomorrow (June 28) a great success with fruitful achievements, bringing the co-operation and development of the two places to new heights. Mr Lee pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has all along been fully leveraging Hong Kong's role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, and encouraging Hong Kong enterprises and its professional services sectors to expand their businesses in the Belt and Road countries and collaborate with Mainland enterprises in going global together. He noted that Hong Kong offers an enormous base of professionals well versed in international regulations, who could provide Fujian with legal advice and services in Belt and Road development projects and help enterprises understand international rules, so that they could effectively cope with relevant risks when investing in different countries or regions. Mr Lee said that he looked forward to the continuous and pragmatic co-operation between Fujian and Hong Kong in such areas as innovation and technology, maritime and logistics, tourism and youth development, so the two places could better grasp the development opportunities arising from the National 14th Five-Year Plan and promote mutual benefits. The Fujian Liaison Unit of the HKSAR Government will continue to act as a bridge to promote exchanges and co-operation between the two places. Ends/Tuesday, June 27, 2023 Issued at HKT 21:30 NNNN
CE meets Secretary of CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee
26.6.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Mr Yi Lianhong, at Government House today (June 26) to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong's co-operation with Zhejiang. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the meeting. Mr Lee welcomed Mr Yi's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation to organise the Hong Kong & Macao - Zhejiang Week 2023 event and witness the signing of a co-operation agreement and a number of memoranda of understanding between the two places. He said he hopes that Hong Kong and Zhejiang will further expand the scope for development and start a new phase in deepened co-operation on all fronts together through strengthened and high-level collaboration and exchanges. Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang, adding that it set up the Zhejiang Liaison Unit in 2017 to actively promote exchanges between the two places in various aspects. He expressed gratitude to the People's Government of Zhejiang Province for its support and assistance to the work of the liaison unit over the years. Mr Lee pointed out that Hong Kong has all along been the largest source of foreign direct investment in Zhejiang Province, and is the best platform for enterprises to list outside Zhejiang. Hong Kong is also one of the preferred locations for Zhejiang enterprises to explore foreign markets and "go global". Noting that Zhejiang is a major powerhouse of the economy and local enterprises, Hong Kong and Zhejiang must be able to achieve complementarity and mutual benefits through close co-operation. He expressed the hope that the two places will continue to have practical co-operation on various aspects including finance, aviation and culture and tourism, and seize opportunities arising from the National 14th Five-Year Plan together to foster synergistic development and a bright future. Ends/Monday, June 26, 2023 Issued at HKT 16:30 NNNN