kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
2.10.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (October 2): Reporter: The MTR Chairman Frederick Ma said that he expected there will be about 60 000 people using the Express Rail Link on the first day of the Golden Week, but this figure still falls short of the 80 000 target set by the Government. Are you worried that in the future, the Government may have to pay for the extra cost for failing to hit the passenger target? And also secondly, the NPC delegate Tam Yiu-chung says political groups should avoid using words such as "self-determination" because it may imply ideas of independence. What's your take on this issue and will the Government ban political groups using the term for their political platform? Chief Executive: As far as comments made by other people, I don't want to comment on their comments. So you have to ask Mr Tam exactly what he meant. As far as the high-speed train, let me first make it clear that the 80 000 passengers per day is not a target. It's a best estimate at the time based on various factors, like the train frequency, the assessment of people's travelling arrangements and so on. If you ask me, I would like this high-speed train to be able to serve more than 80 000 passenger trips every day. The second point I want to make is, it is a new piece of cross-boundary infrastructure and people have to get used to the convenience of this new piece of cross-boundary infrastructure. Having said that, I think yesterday, according to our Immigration Department's figures, they have recorded a total of 78 000 passenger trips through this new cross-boundary point. The third point is when we talk about patronage of any facility, the important thing is to look at the prospects. I feel this high-speed train, this West Kowloon terminus, has huge prospects to attract more people to use it because we have yet to open this wonderful cultural facility called the West Kowloon Cultural District. With its various museums and cultural venues, it is bound to be more attractive in the future. So, let's look forward to a more attractive and more appealing high-speed train that will attract more passengers. I am not worried about the financial situation because in the arrangement that we have signed with the MTR Corporation-- not "we" as the Government but the KCR, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, has signed with the MTR Corporation, we have put in pretty conservative estimates about the passenger trips, so it is unlikely that we will need to subsidise the operation of this high-speed train. But of course, it is for the operator, that is the MTR Corporation, to do all the necessary promotions to increase the patronage on the high-speed train. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, October 2, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:38 NNNN
Appointment of Secretary General of Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR
2.7.2020

As required by Article 13(2) of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the National Security Law), the State Council, on the nomination of the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, approved the appointment of the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, as the Secretary General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (July 2). Mr Chan took the oath of office in the afternoon today. Commenting on the appointment of Mr Chan, Mrs Lam said, "As the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan has had distinguished performance in leading the office. I have no doubt that he is capable of taking up the post of the Secretary General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR, in addition to his existing post, to lead the Secretariat to support the Committee to fulfil its crucial responsibility to safeguard national security." It is stipulated in the National Security Law that a Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR chaired by the Chief Executive will be established to take up national security affairs and bear the major responsibility for safeguarding national security. It will be under the supervision of and be accountable to the Central People's Government. Members of the Committee will include the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Justice, the Secretary for Security, the Commissioner of Police, the head of the department for safeguarding national security of the Hong Kong Police Force established under Article 16 of the National Security Law, the Director of Immigration, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office. The Secretariat under the Committee is to be headed by the Secretary General. The purposes of the National Security Law are to prevent, suppress and punish crimes, namely secession, subversion of state power, organisation and perpetration of terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security; maintain the prosperity and stability of the HKSAR; and protect the lawful rights and interests of HKSAR residents. The National Security Law was applied by promulgation in the HKSAR on June 30. As pointed out by the Chief Executive at the press conference on the National Security Law yesterday (July 1), the HKSAR Government will spare no effort in enforcing the law to achieve the legislative objectives, and, in doing so, better the "One Country, Two Systems" institutional system for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Ends/Thursday, July 2, 2020 Issued at HKT 19:15 NNNN
Appointment of Director of Immigration
2.7.2020

The Central People's Government, on the recommendation and nomination of the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has approved the appointment of Mr Au Ka-wang, Deputy Director of Immigration, as Director of Immigration with effect from today (July 2). Commenting on the appointment of Mr Au Ka-wang, Mrs Lam said, "Mr Au has served in the Immigration Department for over 30 years and has extensive experience in departmental operations. He possesses proven leadership and management skills. I am confident that he will lead the Immigration Department in meeting the challenges ahead." The following is the biographical note on Mr Au Ka-wang: Mr Au Ka-wang joined the Immigration Department as an Assistant Immigration Officer in November 1988. He was promoted to Immigration Officer in 1992, to Senior Immigration Officer in 2003, to Chief Immigration Officer in 2009, to Assistant Principal Immigration Officer in 2014 and to Principal Immigration Officer in 2015. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Immigration in 2018 and to Deputy Director of Immigration in 2019. Mr Au Ka-wang was awarded the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal in 2007, with the first and second clasps in 2014 and 2019 respectively. Ends/Thursday, July 2, 2020 Issued at HKT 12:23 NNNN
Celebration events for 23rd anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
29.6.2020

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, and senior government officials will attend a flag-raising ceremony and reception on Wednesday (July 1) to celebrate the 23rd 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) at 8am. The Police Band will perform at the ceremony and two singers, Mr Chen Yong and Ms Joyce Wong, will sing the national anthem, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services. In view of the current public health risk, no public viewing area will be set up for the flag-raising ceremony on July 1. The celebration reception, led by the Chief Executive, will be held at the Grand Hall on 3/F of the HKCEC after the flag-raising ceremony. Motorists are reminded that Golden Bauhinia Square and the nearby area will be designated as a restricted zone by the Police. Ends/Monday, June 29, 2020 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
Appointments to Chief Executive&apos;s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development
26.6.2020

The Government announced today (June 26) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed 35 non-official members and four ex-officio members to the Chief Executive's Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development (the Council) for a term of two years with effect from July 1, 2020. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said, "Since its establishment in 2018, members of the Council are among my most trusted advisers on matters relating to Hong Kong's strategic positioning and future direction of economic development. With their strong business network and unwavering commitment to Hong Kong, I look forward to their valuable contributions in the new term particularly in the Government's efforts to re-launch Hong Kong's economy." The membership of the Council is as follows: Chairman ----------- Chief Executive Non-official Members ----------------------- Professor John Chai Yat-chiu Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan Professor Daniel Cheng Man-chung Mr Edward Cheng Wai-sun Dr Jonathan Choi Koon-shum Mr Henry Fan Hung-ling Dr Fu Yuning Dr Victor Fung Kwok-king Mr Stuart Thomson Gulliver Mr Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng Mr Jimmy Lai Chi-ming Mr Lau Ming-wai Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung Mr Brian David Li Man-bun Mr Victor Li Tzar-kuoi Professor Frederick Ma Si-hang Professor Mak Tak-wah Mr Joseph Luc Ngai Mr Anthony John Liddell Nightingale Mr Neil Shen Nanpeng Dr Harry Shum Mr John Robert Slosar Mr Jack So Chak-kwong Ms Winnie Tam Wan-chi, SC Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen Professor Tsui Lap-chee Mr Andrew Tung Lieh-cheung Mr Wong Siu-kong Dr Wong Yau-kar Mr Peter Woo Kwong-ching Professor Anthony Wu Ting-yuk Ms Marjorie Yang Mun-tak Professor Eric Yim Chi-ming Dr Allan Zeman Mr John Zhao Ex-officio Members --------------------- Chief Secretary for Administration Financial Secretary Secretary for Justice Director, Chief Executive's Office The Council is a high-level body to advise the Chief Executive on Hong Kong's future development and strategies for driving innovation. It gives 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, provides guidance on evidence-based research and studies on related issues with a view to enhancing policy formulation to meet changing development needs, and advises on stakeholder engagement and public participation in the policy formulation and consensus building process. Ends/Friday, June 26, 2020 Issued at HKT 10:00 NNNN
CE appoints Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal
24.6.2020

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (June 24) signed the instrument of appointment of the Honourable Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal with effect from January 11, 2021, and reported the appointment to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) for the record, completing the relevant legal procedures for the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal. According to Article 48(6) of the Basic Law, the Chief Executive shall appoint or remove judges of the courts at all levels in accordance with legal procedures. With regard to the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mrs Lam, in accordance with Article 88 of the Basic Law, accepted in March this year the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission on the appointment of Mr Justice Cheung as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, and obtained the endorsement of the appointment by the Legislative Council last week. Mrs Lam has also reported the appointment to the NPCSC for the record in accordance with Article 90(2) of the Basic Law. "I am pleased to formally appoint Mr Justice Cheung as the next Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal to succeed Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, who will be retiring in January next year. The rule of law and judicial independence are core values of Hong Kong. With his exceptional qualities, distinguished leadership and vision, coupled with his reputation in the Judiciary and the legal sector, I have no doubt that Mr Justice Cheung will lead the Judiciary to ensure the continuation of the rule of law and judicial independence under 'One Country, Two Systems'," Mrs Lam said. Ends/Wednesday, June 24, 2020 Issued at HKT 20:34 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE in video on national security legislation in Hong Kong
15.6.2020

The transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, in a video on national security legislation in Hong Kong is as follows. The video will be released in the media as Announcements in the Public Interest from tomorrow (June 16). Chief Executive: Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. As a Special Administrative Region (SAR) directly under the Central People's Government, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy under "One Country, Two Systems". Over the past year, the Hong Kong community has been traumatised. Violence by rioters has escalated, with illegal firearms and explosives posing a terrorist threat. Groups and individuals advocating "Hong Kong independence" and colluding with foreign forces to interfere with Hong Kong's affairs have seriously undermined national interests and security. Hong Kong has become a gaping hole in national security, and our city's prosperity and stability are at risk. Sadly, there is now little hope of the Hong Kong SAR enacting local laws to safeguard national security. Against this background, the Central Authorities have no option but to exercise their constitutional power to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security. This is a decision not taken lightly. The national security legislation will only target an extremely small minority of illegal and criminal acts and activities, while the life and property, basic rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of citizens will be protected. Above all, it will restore stability in Hong Kong. I appeal for your full understanding and staunch support for putting in place national security legislation in Hong Kong. Ends/Monday, June 15, 2020 Issued at HKT 19:29 NNNN
CE signs National Anthem Ordinance
11.6.2020

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (June 11) signed the National Anthem Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) in accordance with Article 48(3) of the Basic Law. The National Anthem Ordinance will come into immediate effect after it is published in the Gazette tomorrow (June 12). "Like the national flag and the national emblem, the national anthem is the symbol and sign of the nation. As an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is duty-bound to preserve the dignity of the national anthem through legislation," Mrs Lam said. "I am pleased that the National Anthem Ordinance will be gazetted and come into effect tomorrow, signifying the fulfilment of the constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR and reflecting the spirit of 'One Country, Two Systems'." The National Anthem Ordinance provides for the playing and singing, protection and promotion of the national anthem to preserve the dignity of the country, enhance the sense of national identity among citizens and promote patriotism. The offences stipulated in the Ordinance only concern the misuse of the national anthem, or public and intentional acts with an intent to insult the national anthem. "I hope that members of the public will respect the national anthem of their own volition, hence the promotion of the national anthem is of paramount importance. To let our next generation understand the history and spirit of the national anthem and to observe the etiquette for the playing and singing of the national anthem, the Education Bureau will update its learning and teaching resources and issue directions to schools through circulars to support schools in teaching students," Mrs Lam said. The Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress passed the Law of the People's Republic of China on National Anthem on September 1, 2017, and added the Law to Annex III to the Basic Law on November 4 in the same year. According to Article 18 of the Basic Law, the national laws listed in Annex III to the Basic Law shall be applied locally by way of promulgation or legislation by the HKSAR. Having regard to the common law system practised in Hong Kong, as well as the actual circumstances in Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government decided to implement the National Anthem Law in the HKSAR by local legislation. The National Anthem Bill was introduced into the LegCo for First Reading and Second Reading in January 2019, and was passed by the LegCo on June 4 this year. Ends/Thursday, June 11, 2020 Issued at HKT 20:15 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session in Beijing
3.6.2020

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the media with the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC; the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki in Beijing this afternoon (June 3). Following is the transcript of remarks of the session: Reporter: The British Prime Minister has pledged to give up to 3 million Hongkongers the right to live and work in the UK if this national security law is passed. What’s your response to that and to the international condemnation that this law has drawn? Chief Executive: I can only say that the international community and some of the foreign governments have been adopting blatant double standards in dealing with this matter and commenting on this matter. It is within the legitimate jurisdiction of any country to enact laws to protect and safeguard national security. USA is no exception, UK is no exception. Why should they object, resist or even condemn and take sanctions against Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China for taking similar actions to protect … Reporter: You don’t believe that breaches the 1997 handover agreement? Chief Executive: We are operating in accordance with the Basic Law. The Basic Law provides for “One Country, Two Systems”. The important pillar in “One Country, Two Systems” is “One Country”. Without “One Country”, there is no “Two Systems”. So, when the “One Country” concept, the sovereignty issue, is now undermined by the events that we have seen in Hong Kong - the advocacy of independence and even violence verging on terrorist activities- the Central Government has no alternative but to take action, especially having regard to the fact that after 23 years, despite the faith put in the Hong Kong SAR to enact local legislation to safeguard national security, we could not do it. As the Chief Executive, I have to confess that with the current Legislative Council and the political climate in Hong Kong, there’s no way that in the foreseeable future we could do it. Hong Kong people’s confidence lies in “One Country, Two Systems” and all the strengths and competitive advantages of Hong Kong. It does not lie in what individual foreign governments have to say about Hong Kong. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Issued at HKT 20:35 NNNN
CE to visit Beijing
2.6.2020

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit Beijing tomorrow (June 3). Regarding the legislation to be enacted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security, the Central People's Government will listen to Mrs Lam's views. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC; the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the visit. Mrs Lam will depart for Shenzhen this evening before going to Beijing tomorrow morning. She will return to Shenzhen in the evening on the same day, before coming back to Hong Kong in the morning of June 4. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Issued at HKT 14:00 NNNN
Appointment of Under Secretary and Political Assistant
30.5.2020

The Chief Executive's Office announced today (May 30) that the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has, on the recommendations of the Appointment Committee, appointed an Under Secretary and a Political Assistant of the fifth term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The newly appointed Under Secretary is the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, and the newly appointed Political Assistant is the Political Assistant to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Julian Ip Chun-lim. Both of them will assume office on June 1. Following are the biographical notes on the new appointees: Mr Ho Kai-ming ------------------ Mr Ho, aged 35 and a member of the Legislative Council before joining the Government, was a member of the Kwun Tong District Council from 2012 to 2019. Mr Ho has participated actively in public service, including in his capacities as a Council Member of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as Director-General of the Hong Kong Manufacturing Industry Employees General Union, and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Clerical and Professional Employees General Union, and has ample experience in dealing with labour matters. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is a member of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions. Mr Julian Ip Chun-lim ------------------------ Aged 28, Mr Ip was a Senior Manager of OneConnect Financial Technology (an associate of Ping An Group) before joining the Government. He worked in the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited from 2013 to 2018 and was promoted to Assistant Vice President. He holds a Bachelor of Economics and Finance degree from the University of Hong Kong. He is a member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong. Ends/Saturday, May 30, 2020 Issued at HKT 12:00 NNNN