kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CS reviews Fire Services passing-out parade (21.10.2022)
21.10.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, reviewed the Fire Services passing-out parade for 18 station officers, five ambulance officers, 70 firemen and 26 ambulancemen at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy (FASA) today (October 21). Speaking at the parade, Mr Chan commended the Fire Services Department (FSD) for always fulfilling the prime mission of "Serving with courage, passion and commitment" with determination, and standing at the forefront to fight against the epidemic. Through flexible deployment of manpower and resources, as well as demonstration of strong teamwork, the FSD has coped with multiple emergencies and severe circumstances, especially during the peak of the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Chan said that the FSD has all along been striving for excellence in training its personnel over the years. The FASA has put in place state-of-the-art facilities with various scenario training venues. Moreover, the courses on foundation firefighting and paramedical training offered by the FASA have been recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF). The FASA is also planning to apply for QF accreditation for the training courses for various specialised teams progressively. Mr Chan also remarked that the FSD has been proactively developing and applying new technologies with a view to enhancing the efficiency and safety of firefighting and rescue operations. In addition to the introduction of firefighting robots and the new generation of the unmanned aircraft system this year, the FSD developed the Patient Tagging System for Multiple Casualties Incidents to assist the ambulance personnel at incident scenes in quickly obtaining information including the number and condition of casualties. It can also facilitate the ambulance commander at scene in deploying resources and real-time communication with the Hospital Authority. Mr Chan added, "The FSD has all along been facilitating colleagues in strengthening their understanding and knowledge on national affairs, the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law through training and exchange activities, so as to safeguard national sovereignty, safety and development interests, as well as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'". He also mentioned that the Fire & Ambulance Services Teen Connect, established by the FSD last year, helps to foster the positive thinking, law-abiding awareness and team spirit of youngsters, as well as to build up their sense of belonging to the country. The parade was followed by a demonstration of firefighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The 119 graduates will be posted to various fire stations and ambulance depots. Ends/Friday, October 21, 2022 Issued at HKT 12:35 NNNN
DCS&#39; driver tests positive for COVID-19 (11.10.2022)
11.10.2022

A driver for the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration has tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test (RAT) today (October 11). The driver is responsible for driving duties for the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing. The driver does not need to have contact with the public and has no recent travel history. He wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. He last performed duties on October 9. Mr Cheuk has been taking an RAT every day and the results have been negative. Ends/Tuesday, October 11, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:21 NNNN
DCS attends promotional activity for HoHoSkips booking service for construction waste collection (16.9.2022)
16.9.2022

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, attended a promotional activity for the HoHoSkips booking service for construction waste collection in Kwong Fai Circuit, Kwai Chung, today (September 16) to learn about the operation of the service and show appreciation to the staff of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) participating in the activity. The EPD is determined to combat illegal disposal of construction waste through various means including stepped-up enforcement and introducing surveillance camera systems, as well as publicity and education. To further improve the situation of illegal disposal of construction waste, the EPD launched the trade-led pilot scheme on collection and recycling of construction waste generated from small-scale renovation works in 2021 to provide a convenient, time-saving and efficient construction waste collection service for renovation activities. The pilot scheme was first rolled out in Sham Shui Po District and has now been extended to a total of 10 districts in Kowloon and the New Territories. Renovation workers and members of the public in these 10 districts can book the service via the "HoHoSkips" app to arrange the collection of construction waste with a view to reducing illegal disposal of construction waste at source. With the funding support of the Recycling Fund, and the reduction of transportation and disposal costs through consolidating delivery and waste recovery separation by recyclers, the HoHoSkips service providers only charge $71 per tonne of recyclable inert construction waste and $200 per tonne of non-inert construction waste. Mr Cheuk said he is pleased to know that the EPD is promoting the HoHoSkips booking service to the renovation trade, property management companies and members of the public by various means. As of August 2022, the EPD had conducted over 18 000 outreach visits to persons present at places under renovation, renovation works contractors, property management personnel and members of the public, and had introduced the scheme to over 1 800 renovation works contractors by phone. In concluding the visit, Mr Cheuk encouraged members of the public to use the HoHoSkips booking service when carrying out household renovation projects and expressed the hope that the EPD will continue to step up promoting HoHoSkips in order to enhance the overall environmental hygiene and cityscape in Hong Kong. Ends/Friday, September 16, 2022 Issued at HKT 12:43 NNNN
CS signs condolence book to express condolences on passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom (13.9.2022)
13.9.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, visited the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong today (September 13) to sign the condolence book to express profound condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Ends/Tuesday, September 13, 2022 Issued at HKT 19:30 NNNN
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Working Group on Plan of &quot;Pre-departure Quarantine&quot; holds meeting by video-conferencing (9.9.2022)
9.9.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Qin Weizhong, today (September 9) held a meeting of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Working Group on the Plan of "Pre-departure Quarantine" by video-conferencing. Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau. During the meeting, the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides formally commenced the Hong Kong-Shenzhen liaison mechanism between the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government. They discussed the idea about the plan of "pre-departure quarantine", under which Mainland-bound travellers from Hong Kong would undergo quarantine in Hong Kong first before entering Shenzhen in a closed-loop mode to meet the "7+3" quarantine requirement of the Mainland. The Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides assigned the Health Bureau and the Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission respectively to take the lead in working out, jointly with relevant departments, the detailed requirements to ensure that the plan could be comprehensively formulated. Furthermore, the Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides agreed that a site visit to the relevant facilities at the Lok Ma Chau Loop should be arranged for the officials from both sides as soon as possible, so that the feasibility of using the facilities as the designated quarantine location under the plan of "pre-departure quarantine" could be thoroughly examined. Ends/Friday, September 9, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:00 NNNN
Strive and Rise Programme starts recruitment of mentees (8.9.2022)
8.9.2022

The Government announced today (September 8) the commencement of the recruitment of mentees for the Strive and Rise Programme. The Programme is launched by the inter-departmental task force led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki. The Programme comprises three key elements, namely mentorship, personal development plans and financial support. Each mentee will be paired with a volunteer mentor who will share his/her life experience, inspire the mentee to explore more possibilities for personal development, assist the mentee in improving self-confidence, and encourage the mentee to set personal goals in a proactive and positive manner. The mentors will also assist the mentees in developing positive financial planning concepts and provide guidance on ways to make good use of the start-up financial support of $5,000 provided by the Programme to take forward their personal development plans. Upon successful completion of the Programme, a scholarship of $5,000 will be awarded to the mentees for their personal pursuits by applying the financial planning concepts that they have learned. Through a structured programme covering orientation, basic training, diverse group activities and mentor-mentee interactive sessions, the Programme will help mentees broaden horizons, reinforce self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life and set goals for the future. The first phase of the Programme will last one year and targets to recruit 2 000 Secondary One to Secondary Three students from underprivileged families, particularly those living in sub-divided units, through secondary schools and district networks. Students may approach their schools or the non-governmental organisations that assist in implementing the Programme for enquiries and application. Applications will close on September 28. For more information about the Programme and application details, please visit the designated website: www.striveandrise.gov.hk . Ends/Thursday, September 8, 2022 Issued at HKT 12:00 NNNN
CS attends 2022 Policy Address Consultation Session (7.9.2022)
7.9.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended a 2022 Policy Address Consultation Session today (September 7) to listen to the views and suggestions of post-secondary students on the first Policy Address of the new-term Government. The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li; the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo; and the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, also attended it. The consultation session was held at the Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre and attended by more than 80 students from various post-secondary education institutions and under the Diploma Yi Jin and the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme. It lasted over two hours and covered a range of topics including education, youth development, social mobility and opportunities from national developments. More than 40 students expressed their views and suggestions to the attending officials. Mr Chan said, "I thank the students for participating in the consultation session today and actively expressing their views and suggestions on the Policy Address to be delivered by the Chief Executive on October 19. Young people are the future, hope and pillars of Hong Kong. They are also the engine that drives the long-term development of society and the economy. We attach great importance to their views and suggestions, and keenly look forward to joining hands with young people in starting a new chapter for Hong Kong." The public consultation exercise for the Policy Address was launched in late July. The Government has been tapping the views of organisations and individuals from different sectors through activities including consultation sessions and district visits. Members of the public can continue to give their views through the Policy Address website, dedicated social media platforms or by phone, email, fax or post. Ends/Wednesday, September 7, 2022 Issued at HKT 19:38 NNNN
Sixth-term HKSAR Government convenes first meeting of Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR (3.9.2022)
3.9.2022

The sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) convened the first meeting of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR (the Committee) today (September 3). As stipulated in Article 12 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law), the HKSAR shall establish the Committee for Safeguarding National Security. The Committee shall be responsible for affairs relating to and assume primary responsibility for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. It shall be under the supervision of and accountable to the Central People's Government. According to Article 13 of the National Security Law, the Committee is chaired by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. Members comprise the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee; the Deputy Commissioner of Police (National Security), Ms Edwina Lau; the Director of Immigration, Mr Au Ka-wang; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip. A secretariat is established under the Committee and headed by the Secretary General, Mr Sonny Au. According to Article 15 of the National Security Law, the National Security Adviser designated by the Central People's Government, Mr Luo Huining, who is the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, sits in on meetings of the Committee. In accordance with Article 14 of the National Security Law, the duties and functions of the Committee shall be (1) analysing and assessing developments in relation to safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, making work plans and formulating policies for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR; (2) advancing the development of the legal system and enforcement mechanisms of the HKSAR for safeguarding national security; and (3) co-ordinating major work and significant operations for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. Ends/Saturday, September 3, 2022 Issued at HKT 12:05 NNNN
Youth Development Commission convenes 11th meeting (1.9.2022)
1.9.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the 11th meeting of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) today (September 1). Members were briefed about the Government's initial thinking in relation to the formulation of the Youth Development Blueprint (the Blueprint), and discussed about how the YDC could assist in the formulation. Members agreed that the Blueprint should outline the vision, directions and major work areas of youth development work in a comprehensive manner and set out the respective future work plans, specific actions, initiatives and indicators. Members agreed that the YDC and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau should organise a series of activities to engage young people and other stakeholders and consult their views on the Blueprint. Mr Chan, who chaired the YDC meeting for the first time, said, "The Youth Development Blueprint is the first important guiding document on the promotion of youth development formulated by the Government. I would like to express my gratitude to members for raising various pragmatic views and suggestions at today's meeting. The Government will continue to collect young people's and other stakeholders' views on the Blueprint through different means, and target to promulgate and announce the first edition of the Blueprint by the end of this year. Subsequently, the Government will continuously review and enrich the content of the Blueprint to ensure that the Blueprint is abreast of the times and can address the need of youths." Ends/Thursday, September 1, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:40 NNNN
DCS&#39; Office staff member tests positive for COVID-19 (30.8.2022)
30.8.2022

A staff member of the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration's Office has tested positive for COVID-19 through a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test. The officer is the Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration. She wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. She has no recent travel history and last went to work yesterday (August 29). An office spokesman said today (August 30) that thorough cleaning and disinfection operations at the office concerned have been conducted, and other relevant staff members will continue to undergo COVID-19 tests. Ends/Tuesday, August 30, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:15 NNNN
DCS tests positive for COVID-19 (26.8.2022)
26.8.2022

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration (DCS), Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, has tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test today (August 26). He is undergoing isolation in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health. Mr Cheuk last went to work yesterday (August 25). He wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work, including conducting daily rapid antigen tests. He has no recent travel history. A spokesman for the DCS' Office said thorough cleaning and disinfection operations at the office concerned will be conducted and disease prevention measures will continue to be implemented vigorously. Ends/Friday, August 26, 2022 Issued at HKT 11:53 NNNN
Appointment of Vice-Chairman to Youth Development Commission (25.8.2022)
25.8.2022

​The Government announced today (August 25) the appointment of Mr Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai as Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) with immediate effect until March 31, 2023. The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the YDC, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said, "Mr Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai has been actively involved in youth development work. During his tenure as a member of the YDC, he has offered valuable advice and made exemplary contributions to the YDC. I look forward to working closely with Mr Leung and other YDC members to promote youth development in Hong Kong together." Mr Chan also expressed gratitude to Mr Clarence Leung, who has assumed the post of the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, for his distinguished contribution to the YDC during his tenure as the YDC Vice Chairman. Ends/Thursday, August 25, 2022 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
Transcript of remarks of press conference on the Strive and Rise Programme launched by the Task Force to Lift Underprivileged Students out of Intergenerational Poverty (22.8.2022)
22.8.2022

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, held a press conference this afternoon (August 22) on the Strive and Rise Programme launched by the Task Force to Lift Underprivileged Students out of Intergenerational Poverty. Also joining were the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, and the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee. Following is the transcript of remarks of the press conference: Reporter: Hello, some critics have been questioning in the perspective of the use of public money. Would it be more effective for the CS (Chief Secretary for Administration) to have a full review of the anti-poverty policy instead of making efforts to co-ordinate a mentorship programme for 2 000 students? Would you consider delegating the co-ordination work to the departments or the NGOs? And in the long run, do you have a roadmap in mind how the issue of cross-generational poverty would be tackled? Thanks. Chief Secretary for Administration: Thank you for the question. I think it is very important that, in the Chief Executive's Manifesto, he suggested that we should tackle the cross-generational poverty issue for those junior students living in subdivided units, so this is our target. We think that after discussing with some scholars and after referring to some surveys, we know that our programme will suit the need of the students and will help them to achieve their life goals. And we think that by doing so, we will enrich their personal experience and their understanding of Hong Kong, and also the details of other areas and occupations. I think that is very important. I believe that this will help them to achieve their own life goals. In fact, this is not public money, I repeat, we will receive donations from some big companies and commercial sectors. We trust that, after one year, these students will surely know better about themselves. And then they will also be able to set up their own life goals and they will know how to achieve their goals. Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Thank you, CS. Clearly this project is a targeted approach to deal with a very specific problem. At the same time, the CS is also leading the Government in tackling poverty from different angles. We should see this project as a demonstration of how to deal with poverty problem in a very targeted approach. So coming forward, I am sure the CS will lead the whole Government to deal with poverty problem in a very specific way. Later on clearly, once we have formulated a more targeted approach to deal with poverty problem, we will find a suitable time to share with the public. Thank you. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Monday, August 22, 2022 Issued at HKT 21:05 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CS and DCS after Ante Chamber exchange session (17.8.2022)
17.8.2022

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at a media session after attending the Ante Chamber exchange session this morning (August 17): Reporter: Mr Cheuk, will you still adopt the changes according to the lawmakers' suggestions? Because the hygiene programme has started already. Like how do you review the penalty system and also how will you adopt changes to the suggestions? And for Mr Chan, because the Government has already relaxed the quarantine measures to a "3+4" policy, is there any progress on discussing the reopening of border with the Mainland? Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration: Maybe I take your first question. We will conduct a comprehensive review of the relevant hygiene and sanitation legislations and we will be looking at whether the existing legislations are adequate in terms of empowering government departments to properly carry out their duties, and also the adequacy of the penalty. So, we will take a holistic view and if necessary, we will propose changes to existing legislation, or even explore the prospect of enacting a new legislation. Chief Secretary for Administration: We have been discussing actively with the Mainland authorities how to, I would say, resume the quarantine-free travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and I think we will make announcement at suitable occasions. Thank you. Reporter: Do you worry about the international community will question about the trial, because, you know, the defendants, they are pretty well known? And can you recap in English how do you see about the Ante Chamber discussion? Thank you. Chief Secretary for Administration: Because this case is now part of the court proceedings, I do not want to make too much comment on that. I think this is a most appropriate arrangement. All right. Thank you. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Issued at HKT 15:48 NNNN