kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CS to visit Guangzhou (18.2.2023)
18.2.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will depart for Guangzhou in the evening tomorrow (February 19) for attending a conference on high-quality development of talent services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, jointly organised by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, on February 20. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, will accompany Mr Chan to Guangzhou. Both officials will return to Hong Kong on February 20. During Mr Chan's absence, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration. 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/Saturday, February 18, 2023 Issued at HKT 21:00 NNNN
HKSAR search and rescue team returns from Türkiye to Hong Kong (18.2.2023)
18.2.2023

The search and rescue team deployed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to the quake-stricken areas in Türkiye to assist in the search and rescue work returned to Hong Kong yesterday night (February 17) after completing its mission. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; and the Deputy Director of Immigration (Control, Visa and Documents), Mr Benson Kwok, welcomed the team at Hong Kong International Airport. Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to every member of the search and rescue team for their commitment and praised the team for their valiant efforts to save lives, which amply demonstrated the outstanding abilities of the civil servants and also the spirit of mutual support without boundary. Upon completion of the search and rescue operation in Hatay Province, Türkiye, the China and the HKSAR search and rescue teams arrived in Beijing yesterday afternoon. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung, welcomed the teams at Beijing Capital International Airport and flew to Hong Kong together with the HKSAR search and rescue team yesterday night. The team departed for Türkiye at night on February 8 to conduct search and rescue work in Hatay Province, one of the most devastated areas in Türkiye. During the days of operation, team members successfully rescued four survivors and found six bodies under the debris. The 59-strong search and rescue team, led by Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the Fire Services Department (FSD) Mr Yiu Men-yeung, comprises 49 members of the FSD's Urban Search and Rescue Team, which includes firemen, ambulancemen and fire services workshops personnel, as well as officers from the Security Bureau, the Immigration Department and the Department of Health. Ends/Saturday, February 18, 2023 Issued at HKT 1:19 NNNN
CS to visit Beijing (16.2.2023)
16.2.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will depart for Beijing tomorrow (February 17) morning to attend a welcome ceremony on the return of the search and rescue team members of China, including those from Hong Kong, from Türkiye to the motherland. The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung, will accompany Mr Chan to Beijing. The three officials, together with members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) search and rescue team, will return to Hong Kong the same day and are expected to arrive at night. The HKSAR Government will organise a welcome ceremony for the members at the Hong Kong International Airport. During Mr Chan's absence, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the acting Chief Secretary for Administration. During Mr Tang's absence, the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, will be the acting Secretary for Security. Ends/Thursday, February 16, 2023 Issued at HKT 23:00 NNNN
Government spares no effort to combat black spots of parallel trading activities (10.2.2023)
10.2.2023

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, chaired an interdepartmental meeting today (February 10) to review the situation in various districts after the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland and plan multiple operations to stringently combat black spots of parallel trading activities in its early stage, in order to safeguard social order and maintain environmental hygiene. The Government has all along been concerned about the nuisance caused by parallel trading activities to the daily lives of local residents and its impact on environmental hygiene. Since the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland on January 8 this year, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) have been taking a precautionary approach and stepping up patrols and monitoring suspected black spots of parallel trading activities, including the North District, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Yau Tsim Mong. Joint operations were mounted to prevent parallel traders from causing nuisance by gathering at public places and obstructing streets by the placing of articles. In response to recent resurgence of parallel trading activities outside Sheung Shui Station, and to prevent the spread of black spots of parallel trading, the meeting decided to take the following enhanced actions: The Police and the FEHD will conduct more frequent patrol duties along the black spots. They will conduct joint operations when necessary for effective law enforcement, in accordance with the Summary Offences Ordinance, the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance and the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance, against street obstructions and other environmental hygiene problems caused by parallel traders and shops illegally placing articles in public places; The FEHD will install CCTVs outside Sheung Shui Station to enhance the monitoring of environmental hygiene, thereby facilitating government departments' planning of law enforcement actions. Such measure is also applicable to other black spots of parallel trading; and The FEHD will also step up efforts in street cleansing, targeting black spots of parallel trading to maintain the cleanliness of streets. Officials attending today's meeting included representatives from the Security Bureau, the Customs and Excise Department, the FEHD, the Home Affairs Department, the HKPF, the Immigration Department and the Department of Justice. Ends/Friday, February 10, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:51 NNNN
HKSAR search and rescue team leaves for Türkiye (8.2.2023)
8.2.2023

​The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government sent a 59-strong search and rescue team to the quake-stricken areas in Türkiye tonight (February 8) to assist in the search and rescue work. The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung, saw the search and rescue team off at Hong Kong International Airport. The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, also attended and showed support to the team. The team, led by Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the Fire Services Department (FSD), Mr Yiu Men-yeung, comprises 49 members of the FSD's Urban Search and Rescue Team, which includes firemen, ambulancemen and fire services workshops personnel, as well as officers from the Security Bureau, the Immigration Department and the Department of Health. The approximately eight tonnes of equipment the team is taking includes life detectors and masonry cutting machines as well as the team members' daily necessities. The team left for Türkiye on Turkish Airline flight number TK071. They will join local rescue teams to start search and rescue work on arrival. Ends/Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Issued at HKT 23:30 NNNN
Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2023 (2.2.2023)
2.2.2023

Officiated by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, a ceremony in celebration of the International Customs Day (ICD) 2023 was held by Hong Kong Customs at the Customs Headquarters Building today (February 2). This year, the World Customs Organization (WCO) devotes the ICD to the theme of "Nurturing the Next Generation: Promoting a Culture of Knowledge-sharing and Professional Pride in Customs", highlighting the important role of Customs Administrations in nurturing future pillars of the society and facilitating knowledge-sharing. At the celebration ceremony, Mr Chan commended Hong Kong Customs for its dedication and professionalism in steadfastly combatting illegal activities, safeguarding national security, and facilitating the trade and economic development of Hong Kong. It also played an important role in fostering normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland as well as the rest of the world. Furthermore, the diversified educational activities arranged by it all along had enabled the youth of Hong Kong to grow and develop. In her remarks, Ms Ho elaborated on Hong Kong Customs' work to nurture young Customs officers based on the two key elements of the ICD's theme, namely "knowledge management" and "professional pride in Customs", with a view to giving full play to the younger generation's digital literacy and responding to their aspiration for recognition. The array of work concerned included strengthening the application of the latest technologies to promote knowledge exchange within the department, engaging young officers in decision-making to strengthen their sense of ownership and belonging, and expanding overseas and local secondment opportunities to cultivate their pride and vision. Hong Kong Customs became a member of the WCO in 1987 and the ICD has become an annual event of Hong Kong Customs ever since. At the celebration ceremony, Mr Chan presented the WCO Certificates of Merit to Hong Kong Customs' officers and its business partners in recognition of their remarkable contributions to youth development and knowledge-sharing. About 200 guests, including officials of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, representatives of various offices of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong and Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macao, Consuls-General, foreign Customs attachés, as well as private stakeholders, attended the ceremony. Ends/Thursday, February 2, 2023 Issued at HKT 23:40 NNNN
Government launches website for public to monitor effectiveness on tackling hygiene black spots (31.1.2023)
31.1.2023

The Government launched a new website ( www.hygieneblackspots.gov.hk ) today (January 31) with an online map listing more than 700 hygiene black spots in various districts of Hong Kong. Members of the public can compare the situation of the hygiene black spots before and after cleansing operations conducted by the Government, to witness and monitor the effectiveness of the Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots. The transparency of the programme is also accordingly enhanced. Members of the public can browse hygiene black spots by district, or key in a location on the map for a direct search. They can report relapse cases or new hygiene black spots by providing feedback on the website to help the Government consolidate the hard-won cleaning results under the Programme. Newly reported hygiene black spots will be added to the list of hygiene black spots of the Programme after being verified by the relevant department. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, said, "Improving Hong Kong's environmental hygiene requires a sea change in behaviour and culture. We have to arouse awareness in society and harness the power of public participation in further monitoring the Programme's effectiveness. The results of the cleansing campaign can only be sustained by mobilising citizens to support the Government's clean-up endeavours by conduct and by participation in monitoring hygiene black spots, as well as raising the public's self-awareness in keeping the city clean. "I am grateful to the frontline departments for stepping up their cleansing efforts and enforcement actions in places under their purview and proactively carrying out the District Matters Co-ordination Task Force's mode of operation. Good results have been achieved in the past few months with these concerted actions. This said, the Government will not slow down in our work. In the next few years, we will continue to combat hygiene black spots by keeping up our intensity in cleansing and in conducting inspections and enforcement actions which will be increased if need be. We urge members of the public to positively and fully join forces with the Government in combating hygiene black spots, to build together a clean and vibrant city of permanence, and a highly liveable environment which all are proud to call home." Ends/Tuesday, January 31, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:13 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CS at media session after attending Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival 2023 (22.1.2023)
22.1.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at a media session after attending the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival 2023 this morning (January 22): Reporter: What are the current plans for the second phase of the border reopening (between Hong Kong and the Mainland)? And also, I would like to know what did you wish for just now for Chinese New Year? Chief Secretary for Administration: I understand people would think that to do the PCR (polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid) test is not that convenient; even in some areas, they have to queue up for quite some time. Our target is to cancel this arrangement – and eventually it is quota-free – with no need (for people) to do any testing before going (from Hong Kong) to Mainland China or coming from Mainland China to Hong Kong. This is our ultimate target. Thank you. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Sunday, January 22, 2023 Issued at HKT 15:49 NNNN
CS celebrates Lunar New Year with community (22.1.2023)
22.1.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (January 22), on the first day of the Lunar New Year, visited the staff on duty at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line/Futian Control Point. He also attended the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival 2023 at Lam Tsuen in Tai Po to extend his New Year greetings to citizens. Accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, the Director of Immigration, Mr Au Ka-wang, and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, Mr Chan first visited the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line/Futian Control Point to inspect its operation and meet the frontline staff of the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department and the Hong Kong Police Force on duty. He learnt about the overall arrangements for customs clearance, public order maintenance, etc at the control point during the Lunar New Year period. He also met citizens and travellers along the way and extended his New Year greetings to them. Mr Chan said he was pleased to learn that various government departments spared no effort, with close co-ordination with one another, in ensuring the smooth operation of the various control points for the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland in a progressive, orderly and comprehensive manner. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the frontline staff, as well as all other colleagues of the Government and practitioners of various industries, for their hard work during the Lunar New Year period. Afterwards, Mr Chan headed to Lam Tsuen in Tai Po to officiate at the lantern lighting ceremony of the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival 2023 and kick-start the event. He joined with participating citizens to wish Hong Kong a prosperous year ahead. In his address delivered at the ceremony, he expressed the hope that, on its new journey of advancing from stability to prosperity, Hong Kong can do well in four aspects, namely resuming normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland; engaging with talent from around the world; forging collaboration with all walks of life; and achieving effective governance and social harmony. He looked forward to building a promising and prosperous Hong Kong with the community at large. Ends/Sunday, January 22, 2023 Issued at HKT 14:40 NNNN
Principal Officials of HKSAR Government visit grass-roots families in Eastern District for distribution of Chinese New Year blessing bags (21.1.2023)
21.1.2023

The Chinese New Year Home Visit Programme co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Department commenced today (January 21). The Principal Officials (POs) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will pay visits to grass-roots families in different Districts for three consecutive days (January 21 to 23) during the Chinese New Year to distribute blessing bags in celebration of the Chinese New Year. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, together with a number of POs visited the Eastern District today. Accompanied by the District Officer (Eastern), Mr Simon Chan, Mr Chan, together with the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, visited an elderly singleton and the elderly doubletons living in Healthy Village, North Point. The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, also visited the elderlies living in Heathy Village. Mr Cheuk, together with the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, also visited an elderly singleton and the grass-root family living in Oi Tung Estate, Sau Kei Wan. The POs visited the elderlies and grass-roots families during the festival and chatted with them to understand their daily needs. Chinese New Year blessing bags were distributed to the families with an aim to deliver the HKSAR Government's seasonal greetings and celebrate the festive joy with citizens. The POs of the Government will continue to visit grass-roots families on January 22 and 23 to extend warm regards in celebration of the festival. Ends/Saturday, January 21, 2023 Issued at HKT 12:44 NNNN
Speech by CS at Opening Ceremony of White Christmas Street Fair 2023 (30.11.2023)
30.11.2023

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the opening ceremony of White Christmas Street Fair 2023 today (November 30): Tim (Chief Executive of Swire Properties, Mr Tim Blackburn), Tammy (representative of Operation Santa Claus and Editor-in-Chief of South China Morning Post, Ms Tammy Tam), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, It gives me great pleasure to join you all for the grand opening of Swire Properties' White Christmas Street Fair 2023 "CHOCOLAND!" this evening. The Street Fair, as Swire Properties' annual signature event, has been fostering the betterment of Hong Kong society. This year's edition is no exception. All proceeds will go to Operation Santa Claus 2023, which supports various charitable organisations to help society. The fair also promotes close co-operation between the Government, the business sector, and the community. And this year's edition is particularly youthful, I am glad to note. It is jointly presented by university students under the Swire Properties Placemaking Academy, together with secondary school students under the E-League programme of the Government's Eastern District Office. On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank Swire Properties for its ongoing commitment to grooming Hong Kong young people. No doubt, the Street Fair enables the youth to showcase their talent and creativity. It also complements the efforts of the Government, jointly with all walks of life, to implement our Youth Development Blueprint for young people's healthy growth and holistic development. I am sure Hong Kong citizens, including you all, will enjoy this year's Street Fair. No less important, I appeal to you all, once again, to cast your vote in the District Council election on December 10. Together with the capable District Council members to be elected, we will build a better community. On that note, I wish the Street Fair a great success and every one of you a Merry Christmas ahead. Now, may I say a few words in Cantonese. 很開心出席今日的「白色聖誕市集—CHOCOLAND！」開幕典禮。這個市集是太古地產的年度社區盛事，活動收益將全數撥捐「愛心聖誕大行動」，以支持多個非牟利組織推展社區關愛工作，實在十分有意義。 今年的市集更是尤其充滿青春活力，因為是由Swire Properties Placemaking Academy的大專生，聯同東區民政事務處「東區青藤」計劃下的中學生攜手呈獻。我代表特區政府，對太古地產在栽培青年方面的貢獻，表示衷心的謝意。 我很期待，特區政府聯同太古地產以至社會各界繼續緊密合作，做好青年發展和社區建設的工作。借今日機會，我當然亦要一提，十二月十日是區議會選舉的大日子，大家記得聯同親朋好友，踴躍投票，一起建設更美好的社區。 最後，我預祝「白色聖誕市集」圓滿成功，亦預祝各位聖誕快樂。多謝大家。 Ends/Thursday, November 30, 2023 Issued at HKT 20:05 NNNN
LC: Speech by CS for proposed resolutions under Criminal Procedure Ordinance and Coroners Ordinance (24.5.2023)
24.5.2023

Following is the speech (translated from Chinese) by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, for the proposed resolutions under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance and the Coroners Ordinance in the Legislative Council today (May 24): President, I move that the first Resolution standing in my name on the Agenda be passed to seek the approval of the Legislative Council for the Criminal Procedure (Witnesses' Allowances) (Amendment) Rules 2023 made by the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee under section 9B of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance. I will also shortly be moving the second Resolution standing in my name be passed to seek the approval of the Legislative Council for the Coroners (Witnesses' Allowances) (Amendment) Rules 2023 made by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal under section 54 of the Coroners Ordinance. At present, the maximum allowance payable to ordinary witnesses in criminal proceedings and coroners' inquests is $615 for each day of attendance or $305 for attendance not exceeding four hours. The maximum allowance for professional and expert witnesses is higher, at $3,210 for each day of attendance or $1,600 for attendance not exceeding four hours. Under the adjustment mechanism approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, changes to the rate of allowance for ordinary witnesses would be made in accordance with the movements in the overall Median Monthly Employment Earnings of Employees (MMEE) in Hong Kong, while those for professional and expert witnesses would be made in accordance with the changes in the mid-point salary of a Government Medical and Health Officer. The Finance Committee has also delegated the authority to approve the relevant adjustments to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (SFST). The existing rates of allowances has been effective since August 2021, set based on the biennial review conducted in 2020. The Judiciary Administration (JA) reviewed the rates of allowances in 2022. Taking into account the movements in the overall MMEE between the third quarter of 2020 and the third quarter of 2022, and the mid-point salary of a Government Medical and Health Officer between April 2020 and April 2022, the JA proposed, and the SFST approved, increases in the maximum rate of allowance for ordinary witnesses from $615 to $655 for each day of attendance, and from $305 to $325 for attendance not exceeding four hours. For professional and expert witnesses, the maximum rate of allowance would be increased from $3,210 to $3,290 for each day of attendance and from $1,600 to $1,640 for attendance not exceeding four hours. These adjustments aim to maintain the real value of the rates of allowances to minimise any financial loss suffered by members of the public testifying as witnesses in courts. I invite Members to approve the two Resolutions to implement the new rates of allowances. Thank you, President. Ends/Wednesday, May 24, 2023 Issued at HKT 16:28 NNNN