kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Opening remarks by CE at media session
18.6.2019

Following are the opening remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session this afternoon (June 18): Fellow citizens, During large-scale public processions over the past two Sundays, people have expressed in a peaceful and rational manner their concerns about the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and their dissatisfaction and disappointment with the Government - especially me. I have heard you loud and clear, and have reflected deeply on all that has transpired. The concerns over the past few months have been caused by deficiencies in the work of the SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government over the amendment exercise. I personally have to shoulder much of the responsibility. This has led to controversies, disputes and anxieties in society. For this I offer my most sincere apology to all people of Hong Kong. Some of those who joined the processions, as well as my police colleagues who maintained law and order, and media workers covering the incidents were injured in the conflicts. I am very saddened by this. During the several processions, we saw many people who love Hong Kong taking to the streets to make their views known to the Government. Parents took part for the sake of the next generation. Some who usually remain silent, and many young people, felt the need to express their opinions. I understand these feelings. To those young people who participated peacefully to express their views, let me say I understand you expect your Chief Executive to listen to different voices, and to respect and care for young people. "Connecting with Young People" was one of my commitments in the Election Manifesto. I know that we all want Hong Kong to be a caring and well-governed society with hope. I know you have different concerns and views about social issues, yet we share the same passion for Hong Kong. This incident has led me to realise that I need to do more. I have never spared any effort to serve the public, but this incident has made me realise, as the Chief Executive, I’ve still got much to learn and do in better balancing diverse interest, in listening more to all walks of life, in taking our society forward. I truly hope that those injured can fully recover soon, and that the rift in society could be quickly mended. Hong Kong is our home. It is only by walking together as one community and by staying closely connected that we can bring hope for Hong Kong. Thank you very much. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, June 18, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:21 NNNN
Government response to public procession
16.6.2019

In response to the public procession today (June 16), a Government spokesman said the following: Over the past two Sundays, a large number of people have expressed their views during public processions. The Government understands that these views have been made out of love and care for Hong Kong. The Chief Executive clearly heard the views expressed in a peaceful and rational manner. She acknowledged that this embodied the spirit of Hong Kong as a civilised, free, open and pluralistic society that values mutual respect, harmony and diversity. The Government also respects and treasures these core values of Hong Kong. Having regard to the strong and different views in society, the Government has suspended the legislative amendment exercise at the full Legislative Council with a view to restoring calmness in society as soon as possible and avoiding any injuries to any persons. The Government reiterated that there is no timetable for restarting the process. The Chief Executive admitted that the deficiencies in the Government's work had led to substantial controversies and disputes in society, causing disappointment and grief among the people. The Chief Executive apologised to the people of Hong Kong for this and pledged to adopt a most sincere and humble attitude to accept criticisms and make improvements in serving the public. Ends/Sunday, June 16, 2019 Issued at HKT 21:26 NNNN
Appointments to Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission
14.6.2019

The Government announced today (June 14) that the Chief Executive has appointed Dr Thomas So Shiu-tsung as a member of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission. The Chief Executive has also re-appointed Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei as a member of the Commission. "The two members will serve for a two-year term, starting from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021," a Government spokesman said. Mr Stephen Hung Wan-shun, a serving member of the Commission, will retire from the Commission on June 30, 2019. "We wish to express our gratitude to Mr Stephen Hung Wan-shun, for his invaluable advice rendered to the Commission during his term of office, and for his contribution to upholding Hong Kong's judicial independence," the spokesman said. The functions of the Commission are to advise or make recommendations to the Chief Executive regarding the filling of vacancies in judicial offices, representations from a judicial officer concerning conditions of service referred to it by the Chief Executive, and any matter affecting judicial officers which may be prescribed or which the Chief Executive may refer to it. Other members of the Commission are the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (ex-officio Chairman); the Secretary for Justice (ex-officio member); Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung; Madam Justice Carlye Chu Fun-ling; Mr Philip John Dykes, SC; Pamela Chan Wong Shui; and Professor Liu Pak-wai. Ends/Friday, June 14, 2019 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
Re-appointment of Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee members
14.6.2019

The Government announced today (June 14) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Ip Kwok-him and Dr Lam Ching-choi as members of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee for three years starting from July 1, 2019. "Mr Ip and Dr Lam have been tendering valuable advice to the work of the Committee. We look forward to their further contribution to the Committee in the coming three years," a Government spokesman said. Established in 1993, the Disaster Relief Fund provides a ready mechanism for Hong Kong to respond swiftly to international appeals for humanitarian aid in relief of disasters that occur outside Hong Kong. The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee is responsible for advising on fund disbursement and monitoring the use of grants by the recipients. The membership of the Advisory Committee from July 1, 2019, is as follows: Chairman: Chief Secretary for Administration (ex-officio) Members: Mr Ip Kwok-him Dr Lam Ching-choi Dr Helena Wong Pik-wan Mr Kenneth Lau Ip-keung Dr Tik Chi-yuen Mrs Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury or representative (ex-officio) Secretary for Labour and Welfare or representative (ex-officio) Ends/Friday, June 14, 2019 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN
Remarks by CE
12.6.2019

Following is the translation of the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam today (June 12): Fellow citizens, Throughout the day, you could all see the distressing scenes in the Admiralty area. These acts of rioting, which damage social peace and disregard the law, are intolerable in any civilised society that respects the rule of law. Clearly, this is no longer a peaceful assembly but a blatant, organised riot, and in no way an act of loving Hong Kong. This morning, some people in total disregard to public safety occupied and blocked carriageways, paralysed traffic and gravely disrupted order in society. Starting in the afternoon, some people repeatedly charged toward the police cordon line and carried out dangerous and even life-threatening acts, including setting fire, using sharpened iron poles and bricks to attack the Police and damaging nearby public facilities, thereby posing serious threats to the safety of the general public, the young people who intended to express their views peacefully, the reporters, police officers and civil servants. We must strongly condemn them. I understand that the amendment to the ordinance by the Government this time has drawn strong positive and negative opinions in society and the Government has actively responded and explained many times. The fact is that since the return to the Motherland, issues involving the Central Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Mainland and Hong Kong, will be used by some people to stir up controversies and disputes. Intense confrontation is surely not the solution to ease disputes and resolve controversies. I hope you can all calm down to consider that this is not the first time in recent years that we have seen such riotous scenes. Hong Kong is a free, open and pluralistic society that values different opinions on everything. However, there is a bottom line in regard to the means of expressing an opinion, be it a supporting or opposing view. If a goal can be reached by radical and violent means, such scenes will become more severe, which will definitely put Hong Kong in harm's way. I hope that society will return to order as soon as possible and I don't want any more people to get injured in the riot. I appeal to all citizens who love this place to stay away from violence. I believe that any problem can still be resolved in Hong Kong, a civilised society, in a peaceful, rational and law-abiding manner for the overall interests of Hong Kong. Ends/Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Issued at HKT 22:45 NNNN
The Chief Executive&apos;s Question Time and Council meeting
11.6.2019

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat: The Chief Executive's Question Time originally scheduled for tomorrow (June 12) at 11am has been rescheduled to a later date. Accordingly, the start time of the regular Council meeting tomorrow will be advanced from 11.30am to 11am. Ends/Tuesday, June 11, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:05 NNNN
CE officiates at &quot;Safer Living 2.0&quot; Kick-off Ceremony
10.6.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, officiated at the Kick-off Ceremony for "Safer Living 2.0" this afternoon (June 10). Accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, and the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Ricky Lau, Mrs Lam also visited the first thematic exhibition jointly held by the organisers of the campaign. "Safer Living 2.0" is a year-long inter-departmental public education campaign comprising a series of exhibitions, seminars, tours and competitions. It aims to enhance public understanding of natural disasters. Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Lam said that "Safer Living 2.0" is not simply a continuation of "Safer Living". The campaign this time also includes self-help tips on natural disasters such as landslides, flooding, storm surges and falling trees, thus raising community resilience to natural disasters. Other guests attending the ceremony included the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Kelvin Lo; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Li Kin-yat; the Acting Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Dr Cheng Cho-ming; the Head of the Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, Mr Pun Wai-keung; the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute, Dr Donald Li; and the Chairperson of the Community Resilience Strategic Committee of Hong Kong Red Cross, Mr Stephen Ma. "Safer Living 2.0" is jointly organised by the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Fire Services Department, the Hong Kong Observatory, the Drainage Services Department, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute, the Hong Kong Red Cross and others. The first thematic exhibition jointly held by the organisers will be open to the public at PMQ in Central from tomorrow (June 11) to June 19. Admission is free. Ends/Monday, June 10, 2019 Issued at HKT 17:30 NNNN
Opening ceremony for Reconstruction of the Sharp Island Pier under Signature Project Scheme of Sai Kung District held
9.6.2019

An opening ceremony for Reconstruction of the Sharp Island Pier under the Signature Project Scheme (SPS) of Sai Kung District was held at Sharp Island Pier in Sai Kung today (June 9). The Government earmarked a provision of $100 million for each District Council under the SPS to implement signature projects upon its endorsement, so as to enhance district administration and better address local needs. Reconstruction of the Sharp Island Pier is one of the two projects endorsed by the Sai Kung District Council (SKDC). The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah; the Chairman of the SKDC, Mr Ng Sze-fuk; and other guests officiated at the plaque unveiling ceremony, signifying the official opening of the new pier. Sharp Island is part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. With the significant increase in the number of tourists visiting Sharp Island in recent years, the capacity of the old pier had become insufficient to cater for the needs. In view of this, the SKDC proposed to reconstruct Sharp Island Pier through the SPS by extending the length and depth of the berth, and improving the berthing facilities of the pier for convenient access by tourists. The new pier provides two berthing locations and basic marine facilities such as mooring dolphins, fenders and navigation lights. It is also equipped with ancillary facilities including a shelter, lighting, railings and chairs for the convenience of tourists. Other officiating guests of the opening ceremony included the Director of Home Affairs, Miss Janice Tse; the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Ricky Lau; the Chairman of the Signature Project Scheme Committee under the SKDC, Mr Francis Chau; and the District Officer (Sai Kung), Mr David Chiu. Ends/Sunday, June 9, 2019 Issued at HKT 12:03 NNNN
CE meets Director of Palace Museum
8.6.2019

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, met with the Director of the Palace Museum, Dr Wang Xudong, at Government House at noon today (June 8). The Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mr Henry Tang, and the Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Anthony Chow, attended the lunch that followed. Mrs Lam welcomed Dr Wang's visit to Hong Kong at her invitation shortly after his assumption of office in April to learn more about the city's latest developments in arts and culture, which is a testimony to the importance he attaches to the development of such matters in Hong Kong and his support for them. Mrs Lam thanked the Palace Museum for arranging a number of large-scale exhibitions in Hong Kong in the past and its staunch support for the establishment of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, thus enabling the display of valuable artefacts of the Palace Museum for long periods in Hong Kong. In addition, the Palace Museum, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, has organised the Beijing Palace Museum Conservation Internship Programme each summer since 2017. The programme, which helps broaden participants' horizons and enrich their knowledge of heritage conservation and appreciation, has been well received by young people in Hong Kong. Mrs Lam expressed the hope of exploring further collaboration with the Palace Museum to enhance Hong Kong people's understanding of Chinese arts and culture. After the meeting, Mrs Lam witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai, and Dr Wang, under which pieces of timber seized and confiscated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department during anti-smuggling enforcement operations will be donated to the Palace Museum for the repair and restoration of cultural relics and historic buildings. Ends/Saturday, June 8, 2019 Issued at HKT 15:07 NNNN
Appointments to Advisory Committee on Post-office Employment for Former Chief Executives and Politically Appointed Officials
6.6.2019

The Government today (June 6) announced that the Chief Executive has appointed Mrs Margaret Leung Ko May-yee as a member of the Advisory Committee on Post-office Employment for Former Chief Executives and Politically Appointed Officials (Advisory Committee) for a term of two years from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021. The Chief Executive has also re-appointed Professor Liu Pak-wai as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee, and Ms Susanna Chiu Lai-kuen, Mr Thomas Brian Stevenson and Mr Simon Ip Sik-on as members, for another term of two years to June 30, 2021. A Government spokesman said, "Under the chairmanship of Professor Liu and with the wealth of experience of its members, the Advisory Committee will continue to discharge its functions in a professional manner." The Government also expressed appreciation for the dedicated service of Ms Elaine Lo Yuen-man as a member of the Advisory Committee in the past six years. The terms of reference of the Advisory Committee are: (a) to draw up the principles and criteria to be adopted for the purpose of advising former Chief Executives and politically appointed officials on their post-office employment or appointment; (b) on the basis of the principles and criteria adopted, to consider and advise former Chief Executives and politically appointed officials on post-office employment or appointment; and (c) to consider and advise the Government on other cases which may be referred by the Chief Executive's Office. Ends/Thursday, June 6, 2019 Issued at HKT 16:30 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
4.6.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (June 4): Reporter: Mrs Lam, how would you reflect Hong Kong people through vindicating June 4th to Beijing? Do you agree with the Chinese minister’s views that the massacre is actually justified? And second question on the extradition bill – according to clause 24 of the bill, do you think you yourself or the courts can still act as a safeguard to and reject the request whenever it is necessary? Chief Executive: I try to repeat my answers to these two similar questions. First of all, Hong Kong is a very free society. We uphold and safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals in Hong Kong. So today, if there are public gatherings to express their views and feelings on a particular historic incident, we fully respect those views. About the extradition bill which is now under scrutiny in the Legislative Council, there has been this reference, and maybe worry or fear or even allegation that the Chief Executive will just follow the instructions given by the Central Government and surrender whatever fugitives that the Central Government wants. This is totally unfounded and deviates from the provisions in the law. There are very detailed provisions in the law that will not allow that sort of situation to happen. And on top of those, last week the Government announced six additional measures in response to public concerns in order to allay the fears and anxiety. Those additional measures are very much in line with the international rights for the protection of the individual, which we have heard over the past few months. We have imposed those additional safeguards as requirements to be met by the requesting party under a case-by-case extradition arrangement. If those requirements are not fulfilled, the Chief Executive will not trigger the process to deal with this particular request. If those requirements are fulfilled, the triggering of the process will have to go through the legal process and the courts will decide in the light of the evidence and the law whether a surrender order should be pursued, and then the case will come back to the Chief Executive for a decision. That is, I would say, a very robust process and I would really urge you to look into details of the process and all the legal provisions and safeguards in the existing legislation and also in the six measures that we have additionally provided. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, June 4, 2019 Issued at HKT 13:27 NNNN
Speech by CE at House 1881 Grand Opening Ceremony
8.5.2019

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the House 1881 Grand Opening Ceremony today (May 8): It gives me great pleasure to be here for the grand opening of House 1881. Since its opening in 2009, as the 1881 Heritage, this former Marine Police Headquarters building cluster has attracted a lot of local visitors and tourists. I hope that the rebranding of the heritage hotel as House 1881, through its different cultural activities, will enable visitors to better connect this historic destination and enhance community inclusiveness. As we all know, Hong Kong is a world city where East meets West. To leverage Hong Kong's unique history, the Government has all along been developing and promoting cultural and heritage tourism. Among others, the Xiqu Centre at the West Kowloon Cultural District has opened earlier this year, and will soon be followed by various performance and museum facilities such as the M+ museum, Hong Kong Palace Museum and Lyric Theatre Complex. These cultural facilities, coupled with the revamped 1881 Heritage, will no doubt enhance the tourists' experience. I wish the revamped House 1881 every success. Thank you very much. Ends/Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:52 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session
31.5.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session after attending the "Israel-Hong Kong: Women-to-Women Bridge" forum today (May 31): Reporter: Would the Taiwanese government be able to file any extradition request, and what do you say to the accusations that you are only entertaining requests from the business sector, but not the others? Chief Executive: As far as how we are going to deal with the Taiwan case, we have repeatedly said that the first thing is to establish a legal basis. With that legal basis, then we can entertain a request from the Taiwan authorities to provide mutual legal assistance and to surrender the fugitive offender. What we said yesterday is not just targeting the Taiwan case, because this piece of legislation has dual objectives - apart from providing the legal basis to deal with the Taiwan case, we also need to plug the loophole in the existing system of providing mutual legal assistance and in the surrender of fugitive offenders. We are providing additional assurance that since this is such a serious matter and it is going to be conducted on a case-by-case basis, we will request the requesting party to be at a very senior level - normally it will have to be at the central government level rather that at provincial government level. How it would actually work out with the Taiwan authorities, we cannot say at the moment, but we will certainly follow up. As far as whether we are favouring a particular sector, I would categorically say no. If you look seriously into the six measures under the three categories, they actually deal with concerns and ideas or suggestions raised by a cross-spectrum of bodies, including some from lawyers who want more assurances on the human rights front. I wouldn’t accept any accusation that this is done for the business sector. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Friday, May 31, 2019 Issued at HKT 12:18 NNNN