kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Chief Executive on leave
19.10.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, fell at the Government House yesterday night (October 18). She attended the hospital by herself and was diagnosed with a minor right elbow fracture after checking by doctors. On doctor's advice, Mrs Lam will stay in hospital for observation and will be on leave for the time being. The Executive Council meeting today (October 19) and the preceding media session will be cancelled. While Mrs Lam is on leave, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr John Lee, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Tuesday, October 19, 2021 Issued at HKT 0:21 NNNN
CE welcomes return of Hong Kong, China Delegation to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
18.10.2021

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government hosted a welcome home ceremony at Ma On Shan Sports Centre today (October 18) to greet the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on their return from the Games. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, officiated at the ceremony and presented certificates of commendation to the Hong Kong athletes in recognition of their perseverance and exemplary show of sportsmanship at the Games. Mrs Lam said that the athletes with disabilities had devoted great effort and endured arduous training over the years in order to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The athletes' strong will and hard work in the competitions fully demonstrated their admirable sportsmanship and perseverance. The Government will continue to allocate more resources to promote the Hong Kong sports industry, benefitting athletes with disabilities and other athletes. Mrs Lam expressed the hope that these measures would nurture more elite athletes for Hong Kong to bring glory home in international competitions. The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was held between August 24 and September 5 in Tokyo, Japan. A total of 24 Hong Kong athletes took part in eight competition events at the Games, namely archery, athletics, boccia, equestrian sport, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair fencing and badminton, which was a newly added sport in this Paralympic Games. After fierce competition, the Hong Kong Delegation claimed a total of five medals at the Games, comprising two silver medals in the events of boccia and badminton and three bronze medals in the events of table tennis, boccia and badminton, with distinguished performances and perseverance. The commendable performances of the Hong Kong athletes fully demonstrated their strong will and exceptional talent. Their achievements also inspired other people with disabilities in Hong Kong. Also greeting the athletes at today's ceremony were the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui; the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Joe Wong; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Ida Lee; the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong, Mr Kenichi Okada; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Wang Kai-bo; the Honorary President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (HKPC & SAPD), Dr York Chow; and the President of the HKPC & SAPD, Mrs Jenny Fung. Ends/Monday, October 18, 2021 Issued at HKT 16:03 NNNN
CE to visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen
12.10.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will depart for Guangzhou via Shenzhen tomorrow (October 13). She will visit Guangzhou and Shenzhen the following day. Mrs Lam will attend the opening ceremony of the 130th China Import and Export Fair and the Pearl River International Trade Forum on October 14. The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; and the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Mr Tommy Yuen, will join the visit. Mrs Lam will depart for Shenzhen in the afternoon on the same day to meet with the leaders of the city. Mr Yau, Mr Chan Kwok-ki and Mr Yuen, as well as the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing; the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit; and the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, will join the visit programme in Shenzhen. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the evening on October 14. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr John Lee, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Tuesday, October 12, 2021 Issued at HKT 12:28 NNNN
Celebrations to mark 72nd National Day
29.9.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, and senior government officials will attend a flag-raising ceremony and a National Day reception on October 1 (Friday) to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. 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. The Police Band will perform at the ceremony and two singers, Frankie Liu and Colette Lam, 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 October 1. 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/Wednesday, September 29, 2021 Issued at HKT 16:00 NNNN
CE deeply saddened by passing of Senior Police Inspector Ms Lam Yuen-yee
27.9.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, who is currently on a duty visit in the Mainland, today (September 27) was deeply saddened by the passing of Senior Police Inspector Ms Lam Yuen-yee, who fell overboard while carrying out duties in the waters off Sha Chau. Mrs Lam extended her deepest condolences to Ms Lam's family members. Three other police officers were injured in the incident and sent to hospital for treatment. Mrs Lam sent her regards to them and wished them a speedy recovery. "Maintaining law and order on the front line, the Police have always been committed to their duty to protect the life and property of members of the public and have been fearless in the face of danger, which is admirable. I and members of the public are profoundly grieved by the tragic loss of Ms Lam when she was on duty. The Civil Service Bureau and the Hong Kong Police Force will make every effort to support her family," Mrs Lam said. Ends/Monday, September 27, 2021 Issued at HKT 12:50 NNNN
CE commences visit to Xi&apos;an
26.9.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, departed Chongqing for Xi'an today (September 26) and began her visit programme in Shaanxi Province. After arriving in Xi'an, Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui, met with the Governor of Shaanxi Province, Mr Zhao Yide and attended a lunch hosted by him. Mrs Lam said that she was pleased to visit Shaanxi for the first time in the capacity of the Chief Executive and congratulated Shaanxi on the successful hosting of the 14th National Games. She expressed the hope that Shaanxi will share its valuable experience, enabling the Governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR to do a good job in hosting the 15th National Games in 2025. Noting that Shannxi is a key link for the Belt and Road Initiative of the nation with rich cultural history, she said that the two places can build on the close trade and economic ties to enhance collaboration to contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative and promote arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. She said that the Hong Kong SAR Government set up the Shaanxi Liaison Unit in 2017 to act as a bridge to boost co-operation between the two places. Mrs Lam and Mr Tsui then visited the Hong Kong track and field athletes participating in the 14th National Games at the Athletes' Village and exchanged views with them on sports development and training for athletes. She said that it is encouraging to have seen athletes striving for excellence with perseverance in the competitions. She pointed out that she announced last month a series of measures to support sports development in Hong Kong and expressed the hope that the athletes will continue their efforts in future competitions to bring glory home. In the evening, Mrs Lam and Mr Tsui, together with the Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, Mr Ho Iat-seng and other officials of the Macao SAR, met with the Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, Mr Gou Zhongwen, and attended a dinner hosted by him. Mrs Lam congratulated the General Administration of Sport of China on the successful hosting of the 14th National Games and expressed gratitude for its support for the joint hosting of the 15th National Games by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. She said that she hopes that the General Administration of Sport of China will continue to provide guidance and that the Hong Kong SAR will get fully prepared for its participation in the hosting of the National Games. Mrs Lam will attend the closing ceremony of the 14th National Games tomorrow (September 27) in Xi'an, and participate in the Games' flag handover ceremony together with leaders of Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR. Ends/Sunday, September 26, 2021 Issued at HKT 21:14 NNNN
CE meets with leaders of Chongqing
24.9.2021

After attending the 2021 Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference today (September 24), the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, departed for Chongqing in the afternoon to continue her visit programme and met with the Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee and the Mayor of Chongqing. Accompanied by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Mrs Lam met with the Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, Mr Chen Min'er, and the Mayor of Chongqing, Mr Tang Liangzhi, and attended a dinner hosted by them. Mrs Lam said that when she met with the delegation led by Mr Tang in Hong Kong in September 2018, both sides agreed to strengthen co-operation between the two places in various areas including port logistics, innovation and technology and professional services, and that she had also expressed the hope to visit Chongqing soon. She said she was pleased to arrive in Chongqing today and expressed the hope that the meeting would strengthen exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Chongqing. Mrs Lam noted that Hong Kong has remained the largest source of external investment in Chongqing over the past few years and Hong Kong was one of the top three trading partners of Chongqing in the first half of 2021. Apart from economic and trade activities, exchanges between Chongqing and Hong Kong in such areas as culture and art and youth development are also frequent. She said that despite the epidemic, Chongqing last year achieved positive economic growth that is higher than the national average growth rate. Coupled with the promotion of the establishment of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle by the nation, the growth potential of Chongqing down the road is highly anticipated. Pointing out the double safeguards provided by the National Security Law and the improved electoral system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mrs Lam said Hong Kong is better positioned to enhance collaboration with the Mainland and integrate with the development of the nation. The HKSAR Government will help enterprises and businesspeople from Hong Kong to seize the opportunities arising from the development of Chongqing in the western regions of the country to boost their own development. Noting that 2022 will be the 25th anniversary of both the return of Hong Kong to the motherland and Chongqing becoming a municipality directly under the Central Government, Mrs Lam said she hopes that the year will become an important milestone signifying a new level of relations between the two places. She expressed her gratitude to the leaders of Chongqing for their long-standing support for the work of the Chongqing Liaison Unit of the HKSAR Government. She said that the Unit will continue to act as a bridge to promote further co-operation between Hong Kong and Chongqing. Mrs Lam was arranged a tour of the city at night and will continue her visit to Chongqing tomorrow (September 25). Ends/Friday, September 24, 2021 Issued at HKT 21:28 NNNN
CE expresses sorrow over passing of Mr Cheung Yan-lung
21.9.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (September 21) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mr Cheung Yan-lung. "Mr Cheung had participated in public services for a long time. He was the Chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk and the Regional Council as well as a member of the Legislative Council, the District Council and the Selection Committee for the first Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in the late last century. Sparing no effort in promoting the development of the New Territories, he was held in high regard and revered by the rural residents. "I am saddened by the passing of Mr Cheung. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family," Mrs Lam said. Ends/Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Issued at HKT 19:05 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo
21.9.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (September 21): Reporter: Good morning. So when will we see a full and two-way border reopening with China? Are we expecting it will be after the Winter Olympics next year? Second, on top of the housing problem, is there any measure in the coming Policy Address to cool down the property market like the property tax or stamp duty? Thank you. Chief Executive: I can answer the second question right away that I will not disclose any content in the 2021 Policy Address. You have to wait until October 6 to see whether the content contains any of the things that will interest you. As far as the first question, this is a very serious matter because I think this is the first priority of Hong Kong people, whether they are doing business, whether they are ordinary people, they need to cross the border on a frequent basis to do their business or to visit relatives. How we could achieve quarantine-free travel by Hong Kong people into the Mainland of China is also my top priority. That's why last Saturday during my meeting with the Vice Premier Han Zheng in Shenzhen, I have also, on behalf of Hong Kong people, appealed to Vice Premier Han Zheng that we are very earnest about a meeting between the two sides, with government officials and health experts and so on, so as to iron out a scheme or the set of conditions that will allow Hong Kong people to travel into the Mainland without quarantine. The reason why you mentioned two-way is because at the moment there is one-way, that is south-bound, that we have already commenced for about a week on September 15, the Come2HK Scheme, and every day on average about 400 non-Hong Kong residents are coming into Hong Kong without being subject to 14-day quarantine under this Come2HK Scheme. The remaining question is for Hong Kong people to travel into the Mainland without being subject to quarantine requirement, and I hope we will shortly have this meeting that I have been talking about. I cannot speculate what will come out of the meeting, but the mere fact that Vice Premier Han Zheng has attached his personal attention to the matter, and we have received request for more information in order to prepare for that meeting, are, in my view, very good signs that we should be able to take the matter forward. Up till now I have heard nothing that this matter has to be linked to the Beijing Winter Olympics, which will only take place early next year. I think they are separate matters. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Issued at HKT 14:17 NNNN
CE to visit Chengdu, Chongqing and Xi&apos;an
21.9.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit Chengdu in Sichuan Province, Chongqing, and Xi'an in Shaanxi Province from tomorrow (September 22) to September 28. Mrs Lam will lead a delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and depart for Chengdu via Shenzhen tomorrow to attend the High-Level Meeting cum Second Plenary of the Hong Kong-Sichuan Co-operation Conference the following day and the 2021 Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference on September 24. During her stay in Chengdu, she will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of various provinces and a region. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr John Lee, and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, will join the visit. Mrs Lam will depart on September 24 for Chongqing, where she will meet with the leaders of the city and conduct visits. She will depart for Xi'an on September 26. She will attend the closing ceremony of the 14th National Games in the evening the next day and join the National Games flag handover ceremony with the leaders of Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR. The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui, will also join the Xi'an visit. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong via Shenzhen on September 28. During Mrs Lam and Mr Lee's absence, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Mr Lee will be the Acting Chief Executive from his arrival in Hong Kong until the return of Mrs Lam. The Executive Council will be on recess on September 28. Ends/Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Issued at HKT 12:21 NNNN
First elections after improving electoral system held successfully
19.9.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (September 19) issued the following statement after the polls of the 2021 Election Committee (EC) Subsector Ordinary Elections ended at 6pm: As the first elections held after the approval by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), these elections are particularly meaningful. They mark the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" in the political system of the HKSAR, the safeguarding of sovereignty, security and development interests of the nation, and the steadfast and successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems". The EC is endowed with important functions under the improved electoral system, including nomination and election of the Chief Executive, nomination of candidates for the Legislative Council election and election of 40 Legislative Council members. Made up of 1 500 members from 40 subsectors, the EC is broadly representative and fulfils the principle of balanced participation. Through their election manifestos and interactions with members of the public, they have shown their commitment to society. The voter turnout rate of nearly 90 per cent today also reflected the support for the new electoral system by members of various subsectors. I am grateful to the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee, the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) and all working staff for acting strictly in accordance with the law in the implementation of every part of the improved electoral system, enabling the conduct of the elections in an open, fair and honest manner. A number of enhancement measures have also been successfully implemented in the elections for the first time, including the Electronic Poll Register System and special queue arrangements, building a good foundation for future elections. The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will take stock of the experience in implementing various arrangements in the polling stations today for future reference and will continue to work closely with relevant parties such as the EAC and the REO to devise comprehensive and detailed plans for the upcoming Legislative Council General Election and the Chief Executive Election, ensuring that the elections could be conducted properly and smoothly. Ends/Sunday, September 19, 2021 Issued at HKT 20:34 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session
19.9.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session with the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, after visiting the polling station at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this morning (September 19): Reporter: So critics say the revamp to the electoral system is designed to shut out all the opposition voices out of Hong Kong's political process. Do you agree? Chief Executive: Of course not. The whole objective of improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is to ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong". This is a very legitimate objective of any public election in any government. I doubt very much that another government or another country will allow the public elections to their local legislature to consist of people whose mission is to undermine the national interest or the national security. By design, whether it is in the form of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee or the nomination system in the coming three elections, the whole purpose is to ensure that the candidates could fulfil that very legitimate requirement that I have just mentioned and which has been enshrined in our local legislation. We still welcome people from all walks of life and people who have different opinions about government policies to go into the political system as long as we all share the common objective that we will continue to succeed under "One Country, Two Systems" and we will not do anything to undermine national security. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Sunday, September 19, 2021 Issued at HKT 13:03 NNNN