kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
29.5.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (May 29): Reporter: Mrs Lam, does the report say that the Government is intending to, well, have an all-graduate teaching force in primary and secondary schools? So, does the Government have any timetable, and when is that going to happen? And if there is any rapid changes, would that affect the schools' management in some way or another? And the second question is about express rail. How would you assess the company's performance so far, in terms of transparency and do you think it’s satisfactory that Mr Ma said something like that? Chief Executive: On the XRL, I hope the public will appreciate that this is a major piece of infrastructure and in the course of commissioning there is a lot of preparatory work and testing work to be done, and so colleagues in the MTR Corporation are under extreme pressure to achieve that objective, and I want to assure you that we will work very closely, we means the Transport and Housing Bureau and also the two relevant departments - the Highways Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. They will work very closely with the railway corporation to provide the needed information, the results of any investigation and to ensure that people have confidence in the operation of this railway. About the all-graduate teacher objective, I understand that this is a long-standing aspiration of the teachers in Hong Kong. As you are aware, I attach a lot of importance to quality education in Hong Kong. At a recent public occasion, I said that the one single impression I had during my election campaign in interacting with the teachers is we should value Hong Kong's teachers more. So if our teachers have this common aspiration that they should be turned into graduate teacher positions, I would certainly accord importance to addressing this aspiration. But for the time being, this matter, together with other issues, relating to the professional development of teachers, is being considered by a task force set up after we came to office on July 1. So I will await recommendations from this task force, but I can assure you that we are very determined to improve quality education in Hong Kong, and we have set aside a recurrent expenditure provision of $3.4 billion every year, so we would have that capacity to meet the needed improvements in the education sector. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, May 29, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:30 NNNN
Appointments to Airport Authority Hong Kong
25.5.2018

The Government today (May 25) announced the re-appointment of the incumbent Chairman, Mr Jack So Chak-kwong, and three incumbent members, as well as the appointment of two new members, to the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) with effect from June 1, 2018. The Chairman of the AA, Mr So, has been re-appointed for a term of three years until May 31, 2021. The three incumbent members re-appointed are Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei, Mr Billy Wong Wing-hoo and Dr Allan Zeman. Ms Fung has been re-appointed for a term of one year ending May 31, 2019 while Mr Wong and Dr Zeman have been re-appointed for a term of three years ending May 31, 2021. The two new members, Ms Linda Chan Ching-fan and Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man, have been appointed for a term of three years until May 31, 2021. Mr Andrew Fung Hau-chung will be leaving the AA on June 1, 2018. He has served as a member of the AA since June 2015. During his tenure, Mr Fung offered valuable advice to the AA on various issues concerning the services and expansion of Hong Kong International Airport. The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, expressed his heartfelt thanks to Mr Fung for his contributions to the work of the AA. Under the Airport Authority Ordinance, the Chairman and members of the AA are appointed by the Chief Executive. The appointments are published in the Government Gazette today. The following is the full membership of the AA with effect from June 1, 2018: Chairman: ---------- Mr Jack So Chak-kwong Members: --------- Ms Linda Chan Ching-fan Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei Mr Steven Ho Chun-yin Mr Franklin Lam Fan-keung Mr Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung Mr Lee Shing-see Mr Peter To Mr Carlson Tong Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man Mr Billy Wong Wing-hoo Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming Dr Allan Zeman Secretary for Transport and Housing Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Director-General of Civil Aviation Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority (ex officio) Ends/Friday, May 25, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:00 NNNN
Appointments of new Chairman and members to the Independent Police Complaints Council
25.5.2018

The Government today (May 25) announced the appointment of Mr Anthony Francis Neoh, SC as Chairman of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC), and the appointments of Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen and Mr Roland Wong Ka-yeung as well as the re-appointments of Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing and Mr Wilson Kwong Wing-tsuen as members of the IPCC. The appointments are made by the Chief Executive according to section 5 of the IPCC Ordinance (Cap. 604) for a term of two years with effect from June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2020. The appointment notice was published in the Government Gazette today. Mr Neoh is a Senior Counsel with extensive experience in public services. He has made remarkable contributions in many fields including developing Hong Kong's international arbitration services and regulatory standards for financial services. Mr Neoh will succeed the incumbent IPCC Chairman Mr Larry Kwok whose term of appointment will end on May 31, 2018. "Mr Larry Kwok has been the Chairman of the IPCC since June 2014. We are grateful for his devotion in promoting the work of the IPCC to the public and contributions to the improvement of the operation of the IPCC, enhancing support for the IPCC Observers Scheme, and strengthening publicity through various channels," a Government spokesman said. The IPCC, established under the IPCC Ordinance, is an independent statutory body responsible for monitoring and reviewing the investigation of complaints against members of the Police Force. The IPCC Ordinance provides a statutory basis for the IPCC's role and power and the two-tier police complaints handling system. It also imposes a statutory duty on the Police to comply with the Council's requirements. The IPCC comprises a Chairman, three Vice-chairmen and 24 non-official members. Ends/Friday, May 25, 2018 Issued at HKT 10:00 NNNN
CE meets CPPCC Vice-Chairman and President of China Association for Science and Technology
23.5.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and President of the China Association for Science and Technology Professor Wan Gang at Government House this afternoon (May 23). Mrs Lam welcomed Professor Wan’s visit to Hong Kong and said she was pleased to meet him for the third time since taking office. She thanked Professor Wan for his staunch support for Hong Kong’s development of innovation and technology (I&T) during his tenure as the Minister of Science and Technology and his continued concern for Hong Kong in his new capacity. She said she has been inspired by Professor Wan each time they have met, strengthening her resolve to help Hong Kong to develop in I&T at full steam to catch up with others. She said that the current-term Government is determined to be proactive and has put forward various policy initiatives in the past few months to advance I&T development. These have included the launch of a listing regime for I&T companies from emerging and innovative sectors to list in Hong Kong to raise capital, the amendment of the Inland Revenue Ordinance to provide enhanced tax deduction to encourage enterprises to spend more in research and development, the announcement of the Technology Talent Admission Scheme to admit overseas and Mainland talent and nurture local talent for I&T enterprises, and the preparation for the establishment of two research clusters on healthcare technologies and artificial intelligence and robotics technologies to attract top global and local scientific research talent. She said that such initiatives are well received by local, overseas and Mainland parties, which demonstrates Hong Kong's continued advantages. She expressed the hope that Professor Wan would continue to show his concern and support for Hong Kong so that Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem would develop in a diversified manner. Ends/Wednesday, May 23, 2018 Issued at HKT 20:41 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
15.5.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (May 15): Reporter: Mrs Lam, President Xi also suggested that only patriotic scientists would get funding, and only people who love the country and Hong Kong would be able to, you know, participate in national level programmes. Do you think that this will affect academic freedom in any way? Chief Executive: Not at all, because I read the guidelines issued jointly by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance. The guidelines do not specifically refer to the so-called prerequisite that you have mentioned. But in the instructions given by President Xi Jinping, he did mention about the importance of giving more support to scientists and researchers in Hong Kong who love the country and love Hong Kong. I think this is only a matter of terminology, but of course, in Hong Kong we do expect, whether you are a scientist, a researcher, a government official like myself, to love our country and love Hong Kong, so that is nothing unusual. I think some commentators have read too much into this term, and additionally, because I have the privilege of having read this letter from the fellows to President Xi, in fact it was in their letter that they appealed to President Xi for his support, because these scientists said that they are doing great work, not only for Hong Kong but for the country, and they want to do more for the country ("希望報效國家"), so in response, the President made those remarks that these researchers have really touched him because they really want to contribute to the country. I think this is only very natural. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, May 15, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:49 NNNN
CE visits Thailand
14.5.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited Bangkok, Thailand, today (May 14). She attended the 74th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and also met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Somkid Jatusripitak. In the morning, Mrs Lam delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the Ministerial Segment of the 74th session of ESCAP with “Inequality in the Era of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” as the theme. She shared with participants Hong Kong’s experience in promoting social inclusion and environmental protection to achieve sustainable development. Mrs Lam said that the successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland has laid the foundation for the city's continued prosperity and stability. She added that Hong Kong will seize the opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative and strive to promote economic development, which she stressed should be inclusive and beneficial to all. Noting that Hong Kong is one of the safest and most efficient cities in the world and has accumulated a lot of experience in city management, covering areas such as firefighting, flood prevention, slope stabilisation, aviation safety and railway operation, she said Hong Kong is pleased to help and share experience in capacity building with emerging economies, as part of the city’s contribution to the promotion of people-to-people bonds in the global environment. On environmental protection, Mrs Lam outlined Hong Kong’s targets and actions in combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions. She said that various countries should embrace greater co-operation across political, economic and social boundaries to achieve the common goals. At noon, Mrs Lam attended a lunch hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Thailand. Mrs Lam said she was pleased to note that the Thai Government responded positively to her proposal in the Policy Address delivered last year to establish in Bangkok the third Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and that preparatory work is making good progress. It is hoped that the Office can commence operation early next year. In the afternoon, Mrs Lam met with the Head of the China delegation to the 74th session of ESCAP, Mr Zhang Jun. She expressed her gratitude to the Central Government for its support for the participation of Hong Kong as an associate member in the annual session of ESCAP and related work over the years. Also attending the meeting were the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr Lyu Jian, and the Permanent Representative of China to ESCAP, Mr Li Hong. Mrs Lam departed Bangkok after the meeting and returned to Hong Kong in the evening. Ends/Monday, May 14, 2018 Issued at HKT 20:15 NNNN
CE to visit Huizhou and Guangzhou
13.5.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit two cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, namely Huizhou and Guangzhou, on May 16 and 17. Mrs Lam will meet with leaders of the Huizhou and Guangzhou Municipal Governments and the Guangdong Provincial Government to discuss the preparatory work for the future development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. She will also conduct visits to industries in relation to innovation and technology, scientific research, education and medical services, as well as communities where Hong Kong people live. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on May 17. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Sunday, May 13, 2018 Issued at HKT 14:00 NNNN
CE attends activity in commemoration of 10th anniversary of Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan
12.5.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to Sichuan and attended an activity in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the massive Wenchuan earthquake organised by Sichuan Province in Wenchuan today (May 12). Leading the delegates of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government of the Sichuan trip, Mrs Lam visited the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu in the morning to learn about various research and development projects on artificial intelligence and robotics, and attended a tea gathering with students and young entrepreneurs from Hong Kong. Noting in the tea gathering that President Xi Jinping announced in Hong Kong on July 1 last year that concrete facilitation measures would be rolled out by relevant central authorities for Hong Kong people to study, work and live in the Mainland, she said those measures are being promulgated, reflecting the support of the Central Government for Hong Kong. She said that HKSAR Government attaches great importance to the development of innovation and technology (I&T) and has implemented a number of policy initiatives. She added that Hong Kong young people in Sichuan are welcome to come back to Hong Kong to advance the city's I&T development with the Government in the future. Accompanied by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Mrs Lam attended a ceremony in commemoration of the massive Wenchuan earthquake at the former Xuankou Middle School which was torn down by the earthquake, in Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County. Participants observed a moment of silence and presented flowers to mourn the victims. In the evening, Mrs Lam and the other officials attended a dinner with the Secretary of the CPC Chengdu Municipal Committee, Mr Fan Ruiping, and the Mayor of Chengdu Municipal Government, Mr Luo Qiang. They exchanged views on strengthening exchanges between the two places in trade, professional services, I&T, entrepreneurship of young people and culture. Later, Mrs Lam and the other officials met with the representatives of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China to listen to their experiences and insights gained from working and living in the Mainland. She expressed her gratitude to the Chamber for striving to unite the people and enterprises from Hong Kong in various areas in the Mainland, rolling out support measures and organising activities for them, fostering co-operation in economic and trade between Hong Kong and the Mainland. She also encouraged the Chamber to promote more Hong Kong's various advantages in the Mainland. Mrs Lam and the other officials will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning (May 13). Ends/Saturday, May 12, 2018 Issued at HKT 22:56 NNNN
CE reviews FSD 150th anniversary grand parade
9.5.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (May 9) reviewed a grand parade in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD) at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy. The parade featured seven contingents and a total of 18 fire services appliances. The seven contingents were formed by personnel representing the FSD Headquarters Command, the Hong Kong Command, the Fire Safety Command, the Kowloon Command, the Licensing and Certification Command, the New Territories Command and the Ambulance Command. Addressing the parade, Mrs Lam said, "From a brigade of some 100 personnel to today's elite force of more than 10 000 professionals is a compelling statement of the FSD and its unwavering vision - that has always been to serve Hong Kong, to make our city, our community, a safe place in which to live and work. "In the face of the rapid development of Hong Kong over the decades, members of the FSD have remained steadfast in carrying out their duties and striving for advancements in the fields of firefighting, special rescue, paramedic services, communications and fire prevention." To cope with major fires and various types of special incidents, the department has over the years established a number of specialist teams to enhance firefighting and rescue capabilities of front-line personnel while promoting operational safety, she added. The Chief Executive also commended the department for strengthening exchanges and collaboration with fire and ambulance professionals of other places in recent years. Officially opened in March 2016, the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy has organised over 24 training or exchange programmes for some 400 Mainland and overseas participants. Also attending the grand parade were representatives of various policy bureaux, disciplined forces and government departments of Hong Kong as well as representatives of fire and emergency departments from different countries and regions. Ends/Wednesday, May 9, 2018 Issued at HKT 17:48 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
8.5.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (May 8): Reporter: Mrs Lam, do you think Mrs Ip has overstepped her bounds yesterday in her handling of the LegCo meeting of Bills Committee because a lot of lawmakers said that she has consistently cut short the meeting time and other ways of handling the issues? Chief Executive: I certainly do not subscribe to that sort of attack or accusation against Mrs Regina Ip. In chairing this Bills Committee everybody can see that it is not easy, it is not easy because some members of the Legislative Council, the non-pro-establishment members, have taken a very strong stance from the very beginning, but Mrs Ip being the Chairman of the Bills Committee, I think she has tried her very best to conduct the meetings and to allow members to ask questions about this particular bill. And this particular bill is actually a very simple bill, with only eight clauses, but a total of 19 meetings, including two public hearing sessions, have taken place lasting for over 60 hours of discussion. So, members of the public should not just look at what actually happened yesterday, but the whole process of scrutinising this bill, and I think Mrs Ip has taken a very responsible approach to conducting the meetings and allowing the meeting to come to a conclusion yesterday. The bill will now go back to the Legislative Council meeting for debate and hopefully it will be passed before the end of June so that the target of commissioning the high-speed rail by the end of September this year will be achieved. Thank you very much. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:16 NNNN
Chief Executive approves chairmanship of HKEX
7.5.2018

The Chief Executive approved, on May 4, Mrs Laura Cha Shih May-lung's appointment as Chairman of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) with immediate effect. The approval was made under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO). Mrs Cha's chairmanship will coincide with her term of appointment as a director of the HKEX Board, which will expire at the end of the 2020 Annual General Meeting of the HKEX. Mrs Cha was elected as Chairman of the HKEX by the directors at the board meeting on April 26, 2018. Section 69(1) of the SFO provides that no person shall be the chairman of a company that is a recognised exchange controller unless he has the approval in writing of the Chief Executive. By virtue of Schedule 10 to the SFO, the HKEX is deemed to have been recognised as an exchange controller under section 59(2) of the SFO. Announcing the approval today (May 7), the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan said, "We are confident that with Mrs Cha's leadership, the HKEX will strive to further enhance our market quality and competitiveness, and strengthen our position as the premier capital raising and risk management platform in the region." Mrs Cha was appointed by the Financial Secretary as a director of the HKEX Board in February 2018 for a two-year term under the SFO. Ends/Monday, May 7, 2018 Issued at HKT 16:30 NNNN