kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CE expresses sorrow over passing of Sir Yang Ti-liang
24.6.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (June 24) expressed deep condolences on the passing of Sir Yang Ti-liang, former Chief Justice and former non-official member of the Executive Council. "Sir Ti-liang was a luminary in Hong Kong's legal community and had made exemplary contributions to upholding the rule of law and to Hong Kong society. He served as the Chief Justice from 1988 to 1996, and was the first Chinese person holding the most senior post in the Judiciary before Hong Kong's return to the motherland. After the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Sir Ti-liang was appointed as an non-official member of the Executive Council, and provided valuable counsel to the HKSAR Government on governance. "Sir Ti-liang has all along been committed to the community of Hong Kong and has made dedicated contributions to the development of charitable affairs and higher education. His eminent contributions will be remembered for a long time. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal by the HKSAR Government in 1999." "I express sorrow over the passing of Sir Ti-liang. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I extend my deepest condolences to his family," Mr Lee said. Ends/Saturday, June 24, 2023 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo
20.6.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (June 20): Reporter: Good morning, Mr Chief Executive, some English questions. The first question we'd like to ask about, how would you personally respond to allegations by lawmaker Cheung Yu-yan that it was you who gave the idea to move a private member bill to overhaul the governing structure of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and authorities would perhaps waive a part of the cost? Would the Government consider waiving the cost for Cheung now to move the private member bill? We'd also like to ask you a little bit about the meeting of United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and also Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday. How would you interpret this in terms of Hong Kong? Would you see this perhaps as the easing of Sino-US relations, and potentially a chance for you to be invited to personally attend APEC in November? Thank you. Chief Executive: A private member's bill and its procedure is governed by the Basic Law and also LegCo (Legislative Council) regulations and rules. Any LegCo member who proposes a bill will have to act in accordance with all these procedures and rules. The Government has given its permission for the bill to proceed in accordance with the laid-down procedures. It will go into the LegCo debate process and should be dealt with in accordance with the procedures strictly. All these things are already laid down with very clear guidelines. And things should proceed in that way. And I should have no more comment other than wishing that LegCo will go ahead with dealing with the matter in accordance with such rules and procedures. As regards China-US relationship, this is a state matter and is being handled by state leaders. I have noted that in the statements made by our President Xi Jinping, mutual respect is emphasised and that a constructive China-US relationship is to the benefit of the world, to the benefit of both countries, and to the benefit of peoples of both countries. Hong Kong, as a Special Administrative Region, enjoys special status under the Basic Law. We are an international city. We are connected to the world and is the gateway to the Mainland cities. We will discharge that function no matter what, because that is what the Basic Law requires us to do. So I hope there will be a positive development in the relationship between our country and the US. But in this process I will be, of course, ensuring that all the advantages and opportunities that Hong Kong faces and enjoys will be capitalised fully. And I wish every one of us in Hong Kong will do the same as when we go out to different parts of the world to tell good Hong Kong stories, to create extra opportunities for our economic development and growth, and bring all opportunities to reality. This is something I and my government team will work hard to do. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, June 20, 2023 Issued at HKT 13:00 NNNN
Chief Executive thanks Mainland and foreign investors for setting up business in Hong Kong
15.6.2023

​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (June 15) received over 400 senior representatives from Mainland and foreign companies at an Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) reception, thanking them for their lasting confidence in Hong Kong's business environment and calling upon them to continue using the city's global advantage to expand their business worldwide. Mr Lee said that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of the strong support of the motherland and the close connections with the world. He said that Hong Kong is indeed the only city in the world that converges both the China advantage and the global advantage. With the full support of the Central Government, as well as the plentiful opportunities under such national strategies as the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong is the best place for investors to start and expand their business operations, Mr Lee said. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, also attended and joined Mr Lee to offer a toast to the guests. In his welcome remarks, the Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang, said, "This is an exciting time for Hong Kong and Mainland and foreign businesses operating here. At InvestHK our job is to help you grow by capturing these new and emerging opportunities. That is why we are both working in close collaboration across the Government and with key partners, as well as having aligned our team with our Government's policy priorities. This is all to enable us to help you achieve even more." The over 400 guests from various sectors attending the reception had been assisted by InvestHK over the past three years in setting up business in Hong Kong. InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to attract foreign direct investment and support Mainland and overseas businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It has nine sector teams catering to the needs of different companies, and in recent years expanded with new pillars, namely, the fintech and family office units to attract companies in these areas to set up in Hong Kong and develop a comprehensive ecosystem. For photos of the reception, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720309062236 . Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2023 Issued at HKT 20:20 NNNN
CE chairs third meeting of Steering Group on Integration into National Development
13.6.2023

As Chairperson of the Steering Group on Integration into National Development, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, chaired the Steering Group's third meeting today (June 13). Joining him were the Steering Group's three deputies, ie, the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Justice, as well as Deputy Secretaries of Departments and Directors of Bureaux, etc. The three deputies reported to the Chief Executive on the progress and co-ordination work of various strategies for promoting Hong Kong's integration into national development, including policy areas covering finance, innovation and technology, infrastructure and transportation, healthcare, and legal and dispute resolution services under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative. The Chief Executive monitored the implementation of each policy measure. He also made decisions and provided guidance. In addition, the meeting discussed conducting in-depth and extensive research work and further strengthening policy research and continuous formulation of new policy recommendations. The Chief Executive instructed policy bureaux and relevant departments to communicate with the industries and stakeholders in the respective policy areas and listen to their views, to keep abreast of the situation they face in integrating into the national development and areas they expect the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government can assist in, and to provide constructive policy recommendations for the industries to enter the Mainland. Policy bureaux should also conduct in-depth and extensive policy research in their respective policy areas, propose new policy recommendations which can facilitate the long-term development of Hong Kong for the Steering Group's further decisions and guidance. Mr Lee said that conducting in-depth and extensive research work can help the Steering Group better understand the actual situation of the industries and the support they need. Effectively taking into account feedback of the industries can promote policy research, continuously providing up-to-date policy recommendations to the Steering Group, and thus building a more solid foundation for the HKSAR to actively integrate into the overall development of the country. Established by the HKSAR Government at the end of last year, the Steering Group on Integration into National Development aims to promote and supervise work on integrating into the national development from a macro perspective. The Steering Group will continue to adhere to the principles of being proactive and pragmatic, and achieve mutual benefits when formulating and implementing various policy initiatives, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong's active integration into the national development, grasping the unlimited opportunities brought by the country's development, and creating strong impetus for the growth of the HKSAR. Ends/Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:48 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo
13.6.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (June 13): Reporter: Hi, two questions. Just to follow up on your announcement that there will be a plan to import labour. Could you specify what's the role of the Labour Advisory Board when designing this much-anticipated plan? Because you said you've consulted different sectors, but some members of the board said they haven't been consulted before. And secondly, about the Government's bid to ban the protest song, "Glory to Hong Kong". Could you specify why did the Government resort to applying for such an order to ban the song and how will this order enable the Government to take down the song from the Internet? Thank you. Chief Executive: In regard to the overall manpower requirement for different industries, I have said two months ago during one of these pre-ExCo stand-ups that we are looking seriously at the needs of different sectors. And at that time, I particularly emphasised two sectors - one is the construction sector; the other is the transportation sector. We are coming to a conclusion and the details of our plan will be announced very soon. In the course of making all these assessments, the policy bureaux and responsible officials have been talking and listening to views by representatives of different sectors. When the announcement of the plan is made, which will be very soon, then all these details will be covered. As regards the legal action that is being taken in court to seek an injunction on a song which is not compatible with the national interest, it is not appropriate for me to make any comment at this stage because I respect the judicial process. But what is very clear is one point that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has a duty and obligation to safeguard national security, and we should do it proactively and also preventively. This is why the Government is taking this action. We will wait for the decision of the court. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Issued at HKT 12:57 NNNN
CE meets Hong Kong candidates of payload specialist recruitment for National Manned Space Programme
7.6.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the Hong Kong candidates of the recruitment of payload specialists for the National Manned Space Programme who will soon depart for Beijing for the second round of selection, at Government House today (June 7) to show his support. Also attending the meeting were the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip. "The country launched the recruitment of the fourth batch of astronauts and the recruitment of payload specialists in Hong Kong for the first time last year, giving Hong Kong citizens the opportunity to participate in the National Manned Space Programme. This demonstrated that the country has attached great importance and recognition to the science and technology sector of Hong Kong, as well as the affirmation of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre," said Mr Lee. He said he was pleased to note that more than 10 Hong Kong candidates from government departments, the Hospital Authority, universities, and other institutions and enterprises had passed the preliminary screening for the payload specialist selection process. It is a strong testimony to Hong Kong's talent pool in the fields of scientific research and innovation. He encouraged the candidates to do their best in the second round of the selection, giving full play to their strengths and overcoming challenges with unwavering determination. He wished all candidates success and hoped that they would stand out from many others, striving to realise the space aspiration of Hong Kong people and contributing to the aerospace endeavours of the country. Ends/Wednesday, June 7, 2023 Issued at HKT 16:30 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo
6.6.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (June 6): Reporter: Good morning. Over the weekend, two dozen people had been arrested in North Point and Causeway Bay, apparently in relation to June 4, but they didn't really say anything to suggest overturning the Government, so could you explain clearly now, after those arrests, why? What’s wrong with their behaviours that warrant the enforcement actions? And was the National Security Law invoked? Or is it just about unlawful assembly because these are individuals, apparently? And why the Government did not specify beforehand about these consequences because there was really nothing specific from you or other officials to warn people about what would happen on their actions? Chief Executive: I think the government position is very clear. Anybody must act in accordance with the law and they are responsible for what they do. The law is already very well, clearly stated in Hong Kong. In all public events, of course, the law governing these events include the Public Order Ordinance and also the laws governing activities that may be related to incitement, disorderly conduct, etc. The government position is very clear. Anybody must be acting in accordance with the law, and all such cases will be dealt with in accordance with the law based on the actual circumstances. The Police will continue to deal with such matters in accordance with these principles. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, June 6, 2023 Issued at HKT 12:59 NNNN
CE&apos;s statement on murder case at Plaza Hollywood
3.6.2023

Regarding the murder case that happened at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill on June 2 evening, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, made the following statement: I am saddened by the murder that took place at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill yesterday evening, and I extend my deep condolences to the families of the two deceased. Noting that members of the public may feel uneased and worried, especially as videos of the incident were widely circulated online, I urge everyone in the community to stop sharing the videos, and to extend care to family members and friends. Members of the public are advised to seek professional support if they experience any emotional distress. The Social Welfare Department (SWD) operates a 24-hour hotline 2343 2255 to provide immediate telephone counselling, support and referral services. Members of the public in need may call the hotline for assistance. They may also call the hotline of the Hong Kong Red Cross at 5164 5040 for assistance. SWD staff have contacted the families of the deceased and the suspect, and will render assistance. The Police have arrested the suspect and will spare no efforts in investigating the case. This is an individual case. The Police and various law enforcement agencies will continue to strive for maintaining the law and order in Hong Kong. Ends/Saturday, June 3, 2023 Issued at HKT 11:11 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo
30.5.2023

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (May 30): Reporter: Good morning, Mr Lee. The Government has opposed accusations that the Security Law is broad or vague or unclear. If that's the case, are you able to give Hong Kongers a straight answer as to whether it is legal to peacefully mourn individually June 4 in public this Sunday, yes or no. And you mentioned APEC, the APEC meetings in the US this November, but you're still facing US sanctions. If Washington does not lift them, would you still attend? Thank you. Chief Executive: First of all, it is incorrect to say that the Hong Kong National Security Law is not clearly defined as regards offences. There are four types of offences that the Hong Kong National Security Law covers, and all the ingredients of the offences are clearly spelled out in the law itself. It will be up to the individuals to really look at the different elements of the offences, which are clearly stated. So it is unfounded to make accusation against the Hong Kong National Security Law. In actual fact, cases that are heard in court will also be judged in accordance with the law, which will also let the public understand the ingredients of the law. In regard to any activities that take place in Hong Kong, the law enforcement agencies, particularly the Police, will deal with them in accordance with the law. And all the applicable laws in Hong Kong will apply, of course, and individuals have to act in accordance with the law. For any activity that contradicts the law, of course the Police will have to take action. And the Police will take action resolutely, particularly in regard to public order activities. Everybody should act in accordance with the law and think of what they do, so as to be ready to face the consequences. In regard to APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), APEC is an international organisation. It doesn't belong to any country or economy. According to APEC rules and conventions, the organiser has the responsibility to invite members to attend. Hong Kong, China has been a member of APEC, and has been taking part in APEC conferences in accordance with APEC rules and conventions. It is up to the organiser to act in accordance with these conventions. The Hong Kong Government will, of course, also act in accordance with the APEC rules and conventions in regard to invitation to attend the APEC conference. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, May 30, 2023 Issued at HKT 12:55 NNNN
CE meets Governor of Shandong Province
29.5.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the Governor of Shandong Province, Mr Zhou Naixiang, today (May 29) to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong's co-operation with Shandong. Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip. Mr Lee welcomed Mr Zhou's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation to organise the 2023 Hong Kong-Macao-Shandong week. He expressed gratitude to the Shandong Provincial Government for the continued support of various departments on the work of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai and the Shandong Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, and said that the HKSAR Government will continue to deepen co-operation with Shandong Province on various fronts, jointly expanding the room for further development. Mr Lee said that Shandong is a coastal and major economic province, and plays an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative. Noting that Hong Kong is an international financial centre and the world's largest offshore Renminbi business hub, as well as an international trade, shipping and logistics hub, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong can provide Shandong with the investment and financing platform and professional services support required by projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, acting as an essential bridge between Shandong and the global market. Mr Lee welcomed Shandong to continue to use Hong Kong as the prime platform for Mainland enterprises to "go global" and attract foreign investments. Mr Lee also noted that the HKSAR Government has always attached great importance to youth development. In recent years, the HKSAR Government has collaborated with Shandong Province to organise the Youth Internship Programme at Shandong on Marine Sciences, and an association for the development of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan students of Shandong University has been established, providing platforms for youth exchanges and further strengthening cultural integration between the two places. Ends/Monday, May 29, 2023 Issued at HKT 18:25 NNNN
CE meets Governor of Hunan Province
29.5.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the Governor of Hunan Province, Mr Mao Weiming, today (May 29) to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong's co-operation with Hunan. Also attending the meeting were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip. Mr Lee welcomed Mr Mao's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation to organise the 2023 Hunan-Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Investment and Trade Conference Week with the theme of connecting to the GBA to jointly promote new developments. Mr Lee said he was pleased to note that Hunan Province will continue to embrace the opportunities brought about by the GBA development and further strengthen economic and trade co-operation with the GBA. He said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government had set up the Hunan Liaison Unit as early as 2016 to deepen co-operation between the two places in various aspects, including economic matters and trade, culture, and tourism, and to provide support for Hong Kong people and enterprises in Hunan. He expressed gratitude to the People's Government of Hunan Province for its strong support for the work of the liaison unit over the years, noting that the HKSAR Government will continue to promote mutual exchanges and co-operation through the liaison unit. Mr Lee also pointed out that there is plenty of room for collaboration in tourism between Hong Kong and Hunan, citing Hunan's rich tourism resources and Hong Kong's well-developed tourism service industry. With convenient transportation between Hong Kong and Hunan, the two places can jointly promote multi-destination tourism to overseas visitors to tie in with the development of the GBA as a world-class bay area for leisure, promoting the overall development of the tourism industry and achieving complementarity and mutual benefits. Ends/Monday, May 29, 2023 Issued at HKT 17:53 NNNN