kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Government consolidates experience and enhances information dissemination during tropical cyclone (8.10.2023)
8.10.2023

After consolidating its experience from dealing with a typhoon and a rainstorm last month, the Government has enhanced the dissemination of information during tropical cyclone. Starting from today (October 8), the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) and the Drainage Services Department (DSD) send videos to the media during tropical cyclone, every hour and every two hours respectively, to update members of the public via an audiovisual format on the latest situation of the typhoon and flooding. The Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, said that the enhanced information dissemination can keep the public posted of the latest information concerning the tropical cyclone. Under the new arrangement, apart from HKO briefing the media hourly with a video about the latest weather condition, the DSD also updates the media every two hours with videos carrying the latest information such as flooding in different districts. The same arrangement will be adopted when the Black Rainstorm Signal is in force. In the afternoon, together with the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing visited the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre. They were briefed on the preparation work and latest assessments in response to the threat of the typhoon. The preparation work is as follows: The DSD has dispatched over 70 emergency teams to conduct inspections and stationed in various districts across Hong Kong; The District Offices of the Home Affairs Department closely collaborate with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the DSD, and the Highways Department. They have completed the cleaning of drains in flood-prone areas before the onset of the typhoon and taken flood prevention measures such as placing sandbags and water barriers; The Home Affairs Department has operated 29 temporary shelters for citizens in need, co-ordinating with various departments to provide assistance to those in need; The Social Welfare Department has distributed emergency relief supplies, food, and beverages to the temporary shelters; and The Highways Department has implemented emergency measures, including arranging road maintenance contractors to prepare for emergencies during the typhoon. These contractors have gathered around 500 personnel and arranged necessary machinery equipment such as grab lorries and chainsaws. They are stationed in 50 maintenance depots across the territory, ready to turn out to clear roads promptly. "The public is still reeling from the impacts of the typhoon and flooding last month. The Government has remained vigilant since then, making comprehensive preparation work in advance and taking early prevention measures. We will respond quickly to the situation and observe the protection of lives and property of citizens as well as public safety as the highest principle. We will spare no effort in minimising the impacts brought by the typhoon and helping the city to resume normal as soon as possible after the typhoon," Mr Cheuk Wing-hing added. Ends/Sunday, October 8, 2023 Issued at HKT 20:01 NNNN
CS to depart for Hangzhou to attend Closing Ceremony of 19th Asian Games (6.10.2023)
6.10.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will depart for Hangzhou, Zhejiang, tomorrow (October 7) to attend the Closing Ceremony of the 19th Asian Games to be held on October 8. The Commissioner for Sports of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Mr Sam Wong, will accompany him. Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on October 9. During his absence, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration. Ends/Friday, October 6, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:30 NNNN
&quot;Walk with Kids&quot; stakeholder engagement event of Commission on Children held successfully at CS&#39; official residence (23.9.2023)
23.9.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairperson of the Commission on Children (CoC), Mr Chan Kwok-ki, hosted about 40 primary school students at Victoria House this afternoon (September 23) at the "Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event of the CoC on the theme of harmony and cultural inclusion. They interacted with one another and celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival together. Welcoming students at his official residence, Mr Chan said, "The CoC always attaches great importance to the development and well-being of children. It endeavours to work with different walks of life to build a caring society for children, enabling them to grow up healthily in a harmonious and inclusive environment. Meeting people or coming across things from different cultural backgrounds on campus or in daily life is an opportunity for mutual learning and exchanges. Children can broaden their horizons and learn how to build an inclusive culture." After ice-breaking activities, students were divided up to join such cultural activities as playing musical instruments, making artworks and dancing. Mr Chan chatted with students and appreciated their performances. They also made lanterns and enjoyed festive food together to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. The event today was moderated by non-official members of the CoC. It is a stakeholder engagement event under the "Walk with Kids" thematic campaign of the CoC to promote understanding, respect and inclusion of children from different cultural backgrounds. The Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, and the Acting Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, also attended. Ends/Saturday, September 23, 2023 Issued at HKT 20:06 NNNN
International Symposium on Cyber Policing held in Hong Kong (13.9.2023)
13.9.2023

A three-day International Symposium on Cyber Policing was launched today (September 13) in Hong Kong. Hosted by the Hong Kong Police Force, the symposium aims at exploring the opportunities and challenges brought forward by the rapid development of technology to policing in the future. Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said that the international symposium comes at the right time. "While enjoying the convenience brought about by technological advancement, we are faced with increasing cyber risks where cybersecurity threats and cybercrime have become the critical concerns to many people and businesses alike, "he said. "As a result, for many law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong and beyond, it has become one of the top work priorities to step up cybersecurity." He added that cybersecurity and cybercrime are not confined to a particular place by nature, but go beyond geographical boundaries. It is equally important for law enforcement agencies from around the world to join hands in combating cross-border cybercrime and fostering experience exchange. Vice Minister of Public Security, Mr Chen Siyuan, said in his opening remarks that we should adhere to openness and inclusiveness, and work together to address the challenges ahead. "We should actively and practically pursue global governance through the processes of deliberations, and sharing with joint efforts. We should advocate cooperation in cybersecurity, uphold the principles of mutual assistance, openness, inclusiveness, equality and mutual benefits. It is necessary for us to further enhance strategic mutual trust, share information on cyber threats timely, strengthen the protection of critical information infrastructure and international cooperation on data security. We should have effective coordination in handling major cybersecurity incidents, combat cybercrime and respond to cybersecurity risks and challenges ahead together," he said. Also present were the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee. The symposium provided an opportunity for speakers and delegates from local, Mainland and international law enforcement agencies, academic and private sectors to share views on the latest development of technology and the associated implications on policing with an aim to fostering international collaboration. The need for cooperation and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and private sectors both at international and local levels, as well as the importance of intelligence and knowledge sharing at all times are also the foci of the symposium. The symposium attracted more than 100 senior leaders of law enforcement agencies from around 40 countries and regions (including Mainland, Macau and Hong Kong) as well as academia and experts in the fields of digital communications, finance, innovation technology and cyber security. Ends/Wednesday, September 13, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:07 NNNN
HKSAR and Guangdong sign Agreement on Civil Service Staff Exchange and Collaboration Programme with GBA Mainland Municipalities (12.9.2023)
12.9.2023

The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the People's Government of Guangdong Province signed the Agreement on Civil Service Staff Exchange and Collaboration Programme with the Mainland Municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in Guangzhou today (September 12) to foster exchange between civil servants from various professional areas of the two sides. This will in turn support the high-quality development of the GBA. Witnessed by Deputy Director of the HKMAO of the State Council Mr Wang Linggui; the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; and Vice-Governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province Ms Feng Ling, the agreement was signed by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, and the Director General of the HKMAO of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Ms Li Huanchun. Before the signing ceremony, Mr Wang, Mr Cheuk and Ms Feng met to exchange views on further strengthening collaboration between Guangdong and Hong Kong, which covered talent development and co-operation and civil service exchange. Mrs Yeung and other relevant officials of both sides also attended the meeting. Mr Cheuk said this staff exchange programme with the Mainland municipalities of the GBA is the first exchange programme for civil servants after the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland to complement the strategy of high-quality development in the GBA and is thus particularly meaningful. The successful launch of the initiative, signified by the signing of the agreement today, is the result of the strong support and assistance from the HKMAO of the State Council as well as the active involvement of the HKMAO of the People's Government of Guangdong Province. The CSB and the HKMAO of the People's Government of Guangdong Province will progressively step up exchange activities for civil servants from Hong Kong and the Mainland municipalities in the GBA. The exchange period will be extended from four weeks to about three months, such that Hong Kong civil servants will have opportunities to stay longer on the Mainland to have a deeper understanding of the development of the GBA. Guangdong Province will also select civil servants to come to bureaux and departments of the HKSAR Government for exchange. Under the co-ordination of the HKMAO of the State Council, the CSB has organised the Civil Service Staff Exchange Programme jointly with a number of Mainland municipalities since 2002. Under the programme, officers from Hong Kong and the Mainland are attached to each other's side to share experience and expertise, better understand each other's structure, regulations, policy and operation, foster co-operation and communication, and gain first-hand experience of the host city's latest development. Ends/Tuesday, September 12, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:42 NNNN
DCS to visit Guangzhou and Macao (12.9.2023)
12.9.2023

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will leave Hong Kong for a two-day visit to Guangzhou and Macao this afternoon (September 12). This afternoon, Mr Cheuk will meet with leaders of the Guangdong Provincial Government to discuss issues of mutual concern and strengthen exchanges and co-operation on various fronts. He will then join the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, to attend the signing ceremony of the Agreement on Civil Service Staff Exchange and Collaboration Programme with the Mainland Municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In the evening, he will attend the opening ceremony of the third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival. Tomorrow morning (September 13), Mr Cheuk will attend the Welcoming Ceremony for Young People employed under the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme together with the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun. Mr Cheuk will also meet with leaders of the Guangzhou Municipal Government. In the afternoon, he will go to Macao to attend the Welcome Banquet of the Business Conference on Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development. He will return to Hong Kong on the same evening. During Mr Sun's absence, the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, will be the Acting Secretary for Labour and Welfare. Ends/Tuesday, September 12, 2023 Issued at HKT 12:30 NNNN
Mobilisation protocol for civil servants activated to enhance relief work following extensive flooding caused by torrential rain brought by low pressure associated with remnants of Haikui (9.9.2023)
9.9.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, announced the activation of the mobilisation protocol for civil servants to conduct at full steam the relief work following extensive flooding caused by torrential rain brought by low pressure associated with remnants of Haikui, said a Government spokesman today (September 9). Following the end of "extreme conditions", the Government promptly mobilised a quick response unit comprising about 250 civil servants from different departments to provide support in the North District. Supporting members arrived at Ma Mei Ha in Fanling, Lo Wu Station Road and Lee Uk Village in Ta Kwu Ling separately to carry out clean-up work. They also provided assistance to residents who stayed at a temporary shelter in Luen Wo Hui, Fanling. Accompanied by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, Mr Lee inspected Ma Mei Ha Tsuen to understand the progress of relief work after torrential rain and showed support for supporting members. Mr Lee then visited people affected who are staying at the temporary shelter in the Luen Wo Hui Community Hall to learn more about their needs. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, accompanied by the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, arrived at Lo Wu Station Road to learn about the work done by supporting members. ​"I thank all supporting members and colleagues from relevant departments for their wholehearted efforts in the relief work. Their contribution helps to swiftly restore normal operation of the community and demonstrates their dedication to serving the public. The torrential rain recently experienced in Hong Kong was unprecedented in the past century, causing flooding in extensive parts of the territory and landslides. Various districts were faced with extreme conditions. During the early hours yesterday morning, I have instructed all departments to respond with all-out efforts to assist members of the public in need. I later activated the mobilisation protocol for civil servants and mobilised the District Services and Community Care Teams to participate in the related work. The Government will continue to strive to handle the relief work with every effort possible to ensure that citizens' daily lives could be fully resumed as early as possible," Mr Lee said. Ends/Saturday, September 9, 2023 Issued at HKT 16:36 NNNN
Extreme conditions to end at midnight (8.9.2023)
8.9.2023

A Government spokesman said today (September 8) that, after reviewing the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, considers the weather has moderated, traffic has gradually resumed normal and road conditions have greatly improved, and thus decided to end at midnight the extreme conditions announced at around 5.30am today. The Highways Department and its contractors have finished the clearance work of major roads and bus routes. It is expected that most of the franchised bus services will be resumed from the first departure tomorrow morning (September 9). A few roads remain closed for repair works. Therefore, it is expected to take some time for full resumption of bus services. As for railways, except for the suspension of services at certain stations of the Kwun Tong Line, other lines generally maintain services. The MTR Corporation Limited has arranged free shuttle services for suspended stations and will strive to resume full services as soon as possible. The Government spokesman said that although the extreme conditions will end at midnight, the public should remain highly vigilant and avoid approaching dangerous areas such as those at risk of landslides. As of 7.30pm, the Home Affairs Department opened 15 temporary shelters for people in need. A total of 335 people have sought refuge at the shelters. The Home Affairs Department, together with relevant District Offices, will continue to provide appropriate assistance for those affected. As of 8pm, the Drainage Services Department received 60 confirmed cases of flooding. The flooding situation was eliminated for 59 cases after taking actions, and the affected areas were reopened. The department is following up on the remaining case and will strive to complete it by tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Civil Engineering and Development Department received 39 reports of landslides. It has finished inspecting 17 landslides cases of them. Departments responsible for slope maintenance including the Highways Department and the Lands Department were advised to carry out urgent slope maintenance works as required, and relevant departments are following up the works. The Geotechnical Engineering Office's Emergency Control Centre will remain in operation to inspect, with relevant maintenance departments, the remaining landslide cases with smaller impact and newly reported landslides, and conduct special investigations regarding slopes with high potential risks. According to the Hospital Authority, as of 8.15pm, a total of 144 people, aged between 8 and 94, sought medical treatment at public hospitals during the period of extreme conditions. The Government spokesman stressed that in the light of the severe flooding in most parts of the territory caused by a considerably rare rainstorm, the Government will continue to strive to handle and finish the residual relief work with every effort possible to ensure that citizens' daily lives could be fully resumed as early as possible. Ends/Friday, September 8, 2023 Issued at HKT 23:41 NNNN
2023 Policy Address consultation session for post-secondary students smoothly held (6.9.2023)
6.9.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended a 2023 Policy Address consultation session today (September 6) to listen to the views and suggestions of post-secondary students on the upcoming Policy Address. The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; and the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, also attended. The two-hour consultation session was held at the Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre and attended by some 240 students from various universities and higher education institutions. More than 30 students expressed their views and suggestions, which covered a range of topics including education, youth development, social mobility, and opportunities from national developments. Mr Chan said, "I thank the post-secondary students for participating in the consultation session today and actively expressing their views and suggestions on the second Policy Address to be delivered by the Chief Executive on October 25. Young people are the future, hope and pillars of Hong Kong. They are also the engine that drives the long-term development of society and the economy. We attach great importance to their thoughts. We keenly look forward to joining with young people in better serving Hong Kong citizens and fostering the city's development." The Government launched a public consultation exercise for the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address in late July. It has been gathering views and suggestions of the Legislative Council Members, representatives of various sectors and members of the public through activities including consultation sessions and district visits. Members of the public can continue to give their views through the Policy Address website ( www.policyaddress.gov.hk ), via the dedicated Facebook page for the Policy Address public consultation ( www.facebook.com/PolicyAddress2023 ), or by email ( policyaddress@cepu.gov.hk ), phone (2432 1899) or fax (2537 9083). Ends/Wednesday, September 6, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:46 NNNN
CS to visit Beijing (3.9.2023)
3.9.2023

​The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will depart for Beijing tomorrow (September 4) evening to attend the press conference organised by the State Council Information Office on the plan for Shenzhen park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone on September 5. Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on September 5 afternoon. During his absence, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the acting Chief Secretary for Administration. Ends/Sunday, September 3, 2023 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN