kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CE to visit Sichuan and Thailand
4.5.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit Sichuan and Thailand in mid-May. Mrs Lam will depart for Chengdu, Sichuan, in the evening on May 10 and return to Hong Kong in the morning on May 13. During her stay in Chengdu, Mrs Lam will attend the high-level meeting cum First Plenary of the Hong Kong-Sichuan Co-operation Conference. She will lead a delegation comprising members of the Executive Council and representatives of business chambers and sectors such as the creative and design industries and youth to meet with leaders of the Sichuan Provincial Government and attend the Hong Kong-Sichuan Trade and Investment Co-operation Symposium cum Signing and Launching Ceremony. Mrs Lam will also attend an exhibition and a sharing session on Hong Kong's post-earthquake reconstruction support work in Sichuan after the massive Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, as well as visit local higher education institutions. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; and the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, will join parts of the visit. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will accompany Mrs Lam on the visit. During Mrs Lam and Mr Cheung's absence, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Mr Cheung will be the Acting Chief Executive from his arrival in Hong Kong in the afternoon on May 12 until the return of Mrs Lam in the morning on May 13. In addition, Mrs Lam will depart for Bangkok, Thailand, in the evening on May 13 to attend and deliver a keynote speech at the opening of the Ministerial Segment of the 74th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific the next day. During her stay in Bangkok, Mrs Lam will also meet with senior officials of the Thailand Government. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on May 14. During her absence, Mr Cheung will be Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Friday, May 4, 2018 Issued at HKT 18:18 NNNN
CE meets Chairman of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission
27.4.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council, Mr Xiao Yaqing, at Government House at noon today (April 27). Mrs Lam said she was pleased to meet Mr Xiao again following their meeting in Beijing and participation in the seminar on "Strategies and Opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative - Leveraging Hong Kong's Advantages, Meeting the Country's Needs" held at the Great Hall of the People by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in conjunction with the Belt and Road General Chamber of Commerce in early February this year. Mrs Lam thanked state leaders and Mainland ministries, especially the SASAC, for their strong support for the seminar, at which more than 380 chief executives and senior management from over 170 state-owned enterprises (SoEs) participated. Coupled with the attendance of more than 100 leaders from the business and professional services sectors in Hong Kong, the seminar was a great success. Noting that the impact of the seminar is ongoing, with exchanges between Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises continuing, Mrs Lam said they would be able to join forces to tap new markets after they have built up mutual understanding. Mrs Lam added that, with the signing of a Free Trade Agreement and a related Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last November, co-operation between Hong Kong and ASEAN will be elevated to a new stage. She said she hopes that more SoEs will make use of Hong Kong as a platform to explore the ASEAN market. Mrs Lam said that the Belt and Road Initiative is an important national initiative as well as providing new impetus for social and economic developments for the future of the HKSAR. She expressed the hope that the SASAC will continue to support the HKSAR in giving full play to its advantages as an international centre for finance, trade, maritime trade and services, as well as helping to strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong enterprises and SoEs and conducting joint promotional activities overseas on opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to develop the Belt and Road into the most extensive global platform for co-operation. She said that the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will hold the third Belt and Road Summit in the middle of this year, and that she hopes the SASAC will continue its support and encourage participation by SoE representatives at the Summit, further advancing the establishment of a strategic partnership between SoEs and Hong Kong enterprises. Ends/Friday, April 27, 2018 Issued at HKT 20:03 NNNN
CE meets Governor of Gansu Province
27.4.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, held a breakfast meeting with the Governor of Gansu Province, Mr Tang Renjian, at Government House this morning (April 27). Mrs Lam welcomed Mr Tang on his first visit to Hong Kong and congratulated the Government of Gansu Province for successfully hosting the Gansu Investment Introduction and Marketing Event yesterday (April 26). Noting that Gansu Province, situated on the Silk Road Economic Belt, is a trade and logistics hub and a key base for industries and exchanges between people in the region, and that over 1 000 Hong Kong enterprises have investments in Gansu Province, Mrs Lam said she believes that trade and economic ties between the two places will increase under the Belt and Road Initiative. As Gansu Province strives to develop industries such as tourism, Chinese medicine, agriculture and innovation and technology, she expressed the hope that the two places will strengthen co-operation in these aspects and encouraged Gansu enterprises to leverage on Hong Kong's quality professional services to access overseas markets. She also invited Gansu Province to organise activities in Hong Kong and promote Gansu culture and products to Hong Kong people. She thanked the Government of Gansu Province for its staunch support for Hong Kong's work on youth development and facilitating exchanges for young Hong Kong people in the Mainland, such as the successful completion of a training programme for Dunhuang cultural ambassadors last year, which was well received by youths in Hong Kong. She said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will build on that successful experience and organise the Dunhuang Youth Internship Programme this year, which will last for six weeks, adding that she expects this year's programme will be just as successful with the support and thoughtful arrangements of the Government of Gansu Province. Ends/Friday, April 27, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:00 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
24.4.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (April 24): Reporter: Mrs Lam, do you find the phrases "China took back Hong Kong's sovereignty" and "Hong Kong is located in the Southern China" problematic? Do you find these phrases problematic? And how would you change these phrases if you want to? Chief Executive: No, it's not a question of me changing the phrases or the presentation. It's a question for the Committee to ensure that textbooks used in Hong Kong are accurate and precise. So I have every confidence that these experts are doing this very important task with that one single objective in mind, and that is to ensure a high degree of precision and accuracy in our textbooks. If I may give you an example about how the constitutional status of my position, the Chief Executive, should be described. I remember in 2016, in a Legislative Council motion debate, I have spent a few minutes to explain to the Legislative Council members the difference between the Chief Executive and the Chief Secretary for Administration in terms of the constitution and also how we should describe the two positions. The Chief Executive is the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as well as the head of the Hong Kong SAR Government because of her dual accountability under the Basic Law. But the Chief Secretary for Administration is only the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Government, okay? So if we discover that there are documents in Government or in textbooks that have confused the description of these very two important government positions, isn't it right that we should take this opportunity to correct that? So I just feel that some people have overreacted to this very important exercise to ensure that the descriptions that we use, especially when we use them in textbooks, are accurate. Thank you very much. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:01 NNNN
Appointment to Council of Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
20.4.2018

​The Chief Executive has appointed Mr Douglas So Cheung-tak as a member of the Council of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts for the period from April 20, 2018, to December 31, 2019. The above appointment was published in the Government Gazette today (April 20). Ends/Friday, April 20, 2018 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN
CE meets Governor of Jiangsu Province
19.4.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Governor of Jiangsu Province, Mr Wu Zhenglong, at Government House this evening (April 19). Mrs Lam welcomed Mr Wu's first visit to Hong Kong after his assumption of office as the Governor of Jiangsu Province with a delegation. Expressing her gratitude to Jiangsu Province for holding a three-day "Rendezvous with Water Towns" Jiangsu Cultural Carnival in Hong Kong at Victoria Park to enhance Hong Kong people's understanding of Jiangsu Province in response to her suggestion, she said she looked forward to officiating together with Mr Wu at the opening ceremony of the carnival tomorrow. Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong and Jiangsu Province have enjoyed close ties and maintained frequent co-operation with each other in areas ranging from economic and trade activities to culture, education and youth exchanges. Noting that Hong Kong is an international centre for finance, trade and commerce, she said Hong Kong strives to consolidate its traditional industries with clear advantages, in particular finance, and the listing rules will be amended later this year to attract new economy companies to list in Hong Kong. She said that given Jiangsu Province is home to quite a number of new economy companies, she encouraged them to use Hong Kong as a platform to raise capital. She added that Hong Kong is keen to develop new areas of economic growth including innovation and technology and the creative industries. She expressed the hope to explore more room for co-operation with Jiangsu Province in these areas. Thanking the Government of Jiangsu Province for its staunch support for Hong Kong's work on youth development, she said she hopes that Jiangsu Province will continue to implement various measures to help Hong Kong people study, work and live in the Mainland to facilitate Hong Kong young people to develop in the Mainland. Ends/Thursday, April 19, 2018 Issued at HKT 22:17 NNNN
CE to visit Indonesia
19.4.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will depart for Jakarta, Indonesia in the evening on April 24. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will also join the visit. On April 25, Mrs Lam will address a luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to promote to the Indonesian business sector Hong Kong's advantages and the opportunities to be brought about by Hong Kong's further collaboration with Indonesia as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. During her stay in Jakarta she will also meet with senior officials of the Indonesian government. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong on April 26. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Thursday, April 19, 2018 Issued at HKT 15:50 NNNN
Children and families enjoy cruise travel to celebrate 10th Anniversary of Child Development Fund
15.4.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, officiated at the Child Development Fund (CDF) 10th Anniversary Signature Programme "Dream Cruises" Set Sail Ceremony in Kai Tak Cruise Terminal this morning (April 15), before some 150 grass-root children and their families set off a one-day cruise journey to Nansha, Guangzhou. The complimentary cruise tour engaged 83 participants in the CDF projects as well as their family members and mentors from six CDF project operators. They would be offered the special arrangement to tour around operations of a cruise ship and learn about the work of cruise staff during the trip, while having the opportunity to enjoy family time with refreshments and recreational activities onboard, before disembarking in Nansha this evening. The programme is a prelude to the CDF's 10th anniversary celebrations. The aims of CDF are to broaden children's horizons, enhance their abilities and personal qualities, and enrich their social experience to nurture their personal development. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, and the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare and Chairman of the Steering Committee on the CDF, Ms Chang King-yiu, also officiated at the ceremony. Since its establishment in 2008, the CDF has been providing grass-root youths with appropriate guidance, widening their exposure and planning for future. So far, six batches of CDF projects operated by non-governmental organisations as well as four batches of school-based projects operated by schools have been rolled out, benefiting over 14 000 underprivileged youths. Ends/Sunday, April 15, 2018 Issued at HKT 13:30 NNNN
CE meets Minister of Education
14.4.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the Minister of Education, Mr Chen Baosheng, at Government House today (April 14). Mrs Lam said she was pleased to meet Mr Chen again following their meeting in Beijing last August. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, she welcomed Mr Chen's first visit to Hong Kong in his capacity of the Minister of Education. He visited education facilities, witnessed the establishment of the alliance among higher education institutions of Beijing and Hong Kong, and had exchanges with the trade this morning and yesterday (April 13). Mrs Lam said that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to the development of young people and that their nurture should start from education. She thanked Mr Chen and the Ministry of Education for the staunch support for the work on education of the HKSAR Government, including the implementation of the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions which makes available more study pathways for Hong Kong students and the participating institutions have increased to over 100. In addition, Hong Kong graduates from Mainland universities are issued Employment Registration Certificates to enable them to work in the Mainland, and Hong Kong children studying in Shenzhen are granted equal treatment as Mainland children, enabling them to enroll in public schools to enjoy free education, minimising the need for them to travel long distance to go to school across the border. Mrs Lam said that the education industry in Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages with several universities positioned in the first 100 in international ranking, and that the forthcoming promulgation of the development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area will bring about unlimited opportunities. She said if renowned institutions in Hong Kong are able to establish presence in the Bay Area, exchanges of teachers and students between the two places are set to be enhanced and the goal to develop an international education base in the Bay Area will also be met. She expressed the hope that the Ministry for Education will support relevant work by the HKSAR Government and the institutions concerned in Hong Kong. Ends/Saturday, April 14, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:50 NNNN
CE meets First Minister of Scotland
13.4.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the First Minister of Scotland, Ms Nicola Sturgeon, at the Chief Executive's Office this afternoon (April 13). Welcoming Ms Sturgeon's visit to Hong Kong again since 2015, Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong and Scotland are partners in various aspects, in particular in innovation and technology (I&T). An agreement was signed a few years earlier to explore opportunities for collaboration in scientific research between universities in the two places. The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation under the University of Edinburgh was also set up at the Hong Kong Science Park two years ago for exchanges of fruitful experiences with partners in the city and joint development of carbon technologies. Mrs Lam said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to developing I&T. She said that with the forthcoming promulgation of the development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, Hong Kong will strive to develop financial technologies, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and robotics as well as smart city, with a view to playing an active role in making the Bay Area an international I&T hub. She mentioned that Hong Kong will establish research clusters on healthcare technologies and on artificial intelligence and robotics technologies to attract the world's top scientific research institutions and technology enterprises to Hong Kong for conducting more midstream and downstream research and development projects in collaboration with local universities and scientific research institutions. She welcomed more Scottish scientific research institutions and technology enterprises to participate in the initiative to tap into the opportunities brought about by the development of the Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. Ends/Friday, April 13, 2018 Issued at HKT 21:38 NNNN
Review of Statutory Minimum Wage rate
13.4.2018

The following is issued on behalf of the Minimum Wage Commission: The Minimum Wage Commission (MWC) will submit to the Chief Executive (CE) in Council its recommendation report on the Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) rate by the end of October 2018 at the latest. In accordance with the Minimum Wage Ordinance (MWO) (Cap. 608), the CE has required the MWC to submit its recommendation report on the SMW rate on or before October 31, 2018. Pursuant to the MWO, in performing its functions, the MWC must have regard to the need to maintain an appropriate balance between the objectives of forestalling excessively low wages and minimising the loss of low-paid jobs, and the need to sustain Hong Kong's economic growth and competitiveness. The MWC adopts an evidence-based approach in reviewing the SMW rate. Apart from research and analysis of relevant statistical data, the MWC is conducting public consultation and the community is welcome to provide their views on the review of the SMW rate by May 20, 2018. Ends/Friday, April 13, 2018 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
Acting CE meets with Dutch Prime Minister
9.4.2018

The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (April 9) met with the visiting Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte, at Government House. Mr Cheung and Mr Rutte jointly officiated earlier today at the opening ceremony of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Central Plaza, Wan Chai. Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Cheung extended a warm welcome to Mr Rutte, the first Dutch Prime Minister ever to visit Hong Kong, and pointed out that Hong Kong is well placed to play an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development. He stressed that Hong Kong stands ready to partner with Dutch businesses to seize the enormous opportunities brought about by both major initiatives. Mr Cheung and Mr Rutte also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Hong Kong and the Netherlands concerning the Working Holiday Arrangement by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, and the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong, Ms Annemieke Ruigrok. The agreement marks the establishment of a bilateral Working Holiday Scheme for young people of Hong Kong and the Netherlands. The Scheme will commence on January 1, 2019 and provides an annual quota of 100. Welcoming the establishment of the Scheme with the Netherlands, Mr Cheung said, "The Scheme will open doors further for our young people to foster broader, deeper and more frequent cultural, academic and talent exchanges." Mr Cheung also hosted a luncheon for Mr Rutte at Government House following a bilateral meeting to explore further collaboration between both places. Ends/Monday, April 9, 2018 Issued at HKT 14:04 NNNN
Hong Kong signs Memorandum of Understanding on Working Holiday Scheme with the Netherlands
9.4.2018

Hong Kong and the Netherlands today (April 9) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to mark the establishment of a bilateral Working Holiday Scheme for young people of the two places. The agreement was signed by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, and the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong, Ms Annemieke Ruigrok, at Government House in the presence of the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte. Welcoming the establishment of the scheme with the Netherlands, Dr Law said, "Apart from broadening their horizons, this scheme provides an opportunity for young people in Hong Kong and the Netherlands to gain living and working experience in a foreign culture. It will also further reinforce bilateral ties between Hong Kong and the Netherlands." Ms Ruigrok hailed the MoU as a sign of the excellent shape of bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Hong Kong. She encouraged young people to make full use of the opportunities provided by the scheme. "This will lead to a deeper understanding of each other's cultures, which will further strengthen our relations, today and in the future," she said. The scheme with the Netherlands is Hong Kong's 13th bilateral working holiday scheme. Since 2001, Hong Kong has established working holiday schemes with New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Canada, Korea, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Hungary and Sweden. So far, more than 85 000 Hong Kong youths have benefited from these schemes. The Working Holiday Scheme between Hong Kong and the Netherlands will commence operation on January 1, 2019. Under the scheme, youths from each side will be able to apply for a visa, which will allow them to stay in the Netherlands or Hong Kong for up to 12 months. During the period, they may work to finance their stay or study short-term courses. There will be an annual quota of 100 from each side. Details of visa application procedures for applicants from Hong Kong will be available on the website of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong at www.netherlandsandyou.nl/your-country-and-the-netherlands/hongkong in due course. Applicants from the Netherlands may contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department by telephone on 2824 6111 or obtain the necessary information from the department's website www.immd.gov.hk . Ends/Monday, April 9, 2018 Issued at HKT 15:50 NNNN
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to visit HK
6.4.2018

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte, will arrive in Hong Kong on April 8 for a two-day official visit. The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung, will meet with the Prime Minister on April 9 at the Government House. Ends/Friday, April 6, 2018 Issued at HKT 20:59 NNNN