kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
Government sets up independent committee to review Hong Kong&apos;s franchised bus service
13.3.2018

The Chief Executive announced today (March 13) that an Independent Review Committee on Hong Kong's Franchised Bus Service has been set up, and appointed the Honourable Mr Justice Michael Victor Lunn as the Chairman of the Committee and Mr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen and Professor Lo Hong-kam as Members of the Committee. The Committee will formally commence its work in late March 2018, and will submit a report to the Chief Executive in around nine months' time. The Government attaches great importance to recent serious incidents involving franchised buses. Upon the occurrence of the fatal incident on Tai Po Road on February 10, the Chief Executive announced on the same day that an independent committee chaired by a judge would be set up to comprehensively review the operation and monitoring of franchised buses so as to ensure that public bus services of Hong Kong are safe and reliable. The Terms of Reference of the Committee are as follows: From the point of view of safety, in the light of the fatal accident on February 10 and other recent serious incidents involving franchised buses in Hong Kong: (a) to examine the operation and management of bus franchises under the current legislative, franchise and other contractual requirements; (b) to examine the present regulatory and monitoring system for franchised buses; and (c) in relation to the above, to make recommendations to the Chief Executive on safety-related measures with a view to sustaining a safe and reliable franchised bus service in Hong Kong. The Committee may invite submissions from interested parties and from the public on the above matters and should use its best endeavours to submit its report within nine months. Issues relating to the causes and liability of persons involved in the fatal accident on February 10 will be investigated by the Police and fall outside the Committee's terms of reference. Brief biographies of the Chairperson and Members of the Committee are as follows: Chairperson ------------- The Honourable Mr Justice Michael Victor Lunn is Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court. He served as a Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court. From October 2012 to April 2013, he was Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances leading to the collision of two vessels near Lamma Island on October 1, 2012. Members ---------- Mr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen is the Chairman of the Council of Lingnan University. He was the Chairman of the Principal Financial Group - Asia. He was also a member of the Investment-linked Assurance and Pooled Retirement Funds Committee of the Securities and Futures Commission. Professor Lo Hong-kam is the Chair Professor and Department Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, as well as the Convenor of the Railway Objections Hearing Panel. He was also a member of the Transport Advisory Committee. Ends/Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:50 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo meeting
13.3.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (March 13): Reporter: Mrs Lam, will the enquiry look into bus drivers' working conditions and ultimately what would you like to achieve through the enquiry? And also a question about the By-election – how will the results change the Government's relationship with the legislature? Chief Executive: As far as the Independent Review Committee is concerned, I have said it on the first occasion that the purpose and objective of this Independent Review Committee is to ensure the safety and reliability of Hong Kong's franchised bus service because Hong Kong's franchised bus service plays a very important role in Hong Kong's public transport service, responsible for 4 million passenger trips everyday. So, as you can see from the terms of reference, it will broadly cover the issues relating to the operation of the bus services, so I suppose the issues that you have mentioned will certainly be looked at by the Review Committee. In addition, the Review Committee will also look at the regulatory side, so in other words the Government's role in regulating the franchised bus operators to ensure safe and reliable service will also be fully examined by the Review Committee. As far as the Legislative Council elections conducted two days ago, our main role and statutory responsibility is to ensure that the elections are conducted in a fair, open and transparent manner, and I think by and large that objective has been met. In my pledge in the Policy Address and also back in my Election Manifesto, I promised that I will make every effort to work with members of the Legislative Council and to enhance the relationship between the Legislative Council and the administration, and that will continue to be the guiding principle of myself as the Chief Executive and my administration. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Issued at HKT 11:57 NNNN
CE meets Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland
12.3.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, Mr Simon Coveney, at the Chief Executive's Office this morning (March 12). Welcoming Mr Coveney's first visit to Hong Kong, Mrs Lam said she visited Dublin, Ireland, in 2015 in the capacity of the Chief Secretary for Administration and left with a deep impression of the city. Noting that Hong Kong and Ireland have had close relations over the years, she said that with the introduction of direct flights between Dublin and Hong Kong in June this year, the ties of businesses and people in the two places are set to be enhanced. Mrs Lam said that Hong Kong is presented with tremendous opportunities by participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. She encouraged Irish companies and talent to leverage on Hong Kong's unique role to explore business development opportunities in the city and the Mainland. Noting that Ireland is home to the headquarters of many leading multinational corporations in information technology and has vibrant creative industries, she said that Hong Kong is also keen to develop those industries. With the development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the launch of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Design Innovation Hub in Qianhai, she said she looks forward to more collaboration between the two places. She added that small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups are particularly welcome to set up businesses in Hong Kong, which has rich experience and excellent facilities to help their growth. Ends/Monday, March 12, 2018 Issued at HKT 20:36 NNNN
Government House open to the public on March 18
11.3.2018

Government House will be open to the public on March 18 (Sunday) from 10am to 5pm. Visitors will be able to view the flowers and trees, in particular the blossoming azaleas, in the garden and the landscaped area, and see the places where the Chief Executive holds official functions and receives dignitaries in Government House. There will also be guided tours for visitors to learn more about the history and architectural features of the distinguished building. "Visitors will enjoy music performances by the Hong Kong Police Band and student ensembles while strolling in the garden," a government spokesman said. "Display boards and two-dimensional barcodes will also be set up to share the history, architecture and important moments of Government House. Visitors with mobile phones and related 2D barcode software may browse information about Government House and the flowers." A large number of visitors are anticipated on the day. To ensure that those already in the queue can be admitted in time, queuing outside Government House may be stopped before 5pm. Visitors will enter the garden through the east gate on Upper Albert Road and leave through the main gate. The visitors' routing is one-way only. They are encouraged to arrive by public transport. Visitors may visit the website of Government House ( www.ceo.gov.hk/gh/eng ) for details of the open day. Government House is a declared monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. Ends/Sunday, March 11, 2018 Issued at HKT 15:00 NNNN
CE saddened by passing of Mr Tang Hsiang-chien
10.3.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 10) was saddened to learn of the passing of member of the former Preparatory Committee and Selection Committee for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Tang Hsiang-chien. "Mr Tang was actively involved in the work for Hong Kong's return to the Motherland, contributing a lot to the preparation for the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As a successful businessman, he contributed to the development of the motherland and supported the reform and opening up of the country. He also served as member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. I am saddened by his passing and extend my deepest condolences to his family," Mrs Lam said. Ends/Saturday, March 10, 2018 Issued at HKT 22:12 NNNN
Appointments to Board of Ocean Park Corporation announced
9.3.2018

The Government announced today (March 9) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Stephen Wong See-yuen and re-appointed Ms Loretta Fong Wan-huen to the Board of the Ocean Park Corporation (OPC) for a period of two years from March 10, 2018 to March 9, 2020. "We are grateful to all OPC board members for their hard work in pursuing the development of Ocean Park. We welcome Mr Wong joining the Board, on which he will serve with his insight and experience. With the board members' devotion and wide ranging expertise, Ocean Park will continue to grow as a world-class leading marine-themed attraction," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said. "We would also like to express our gratitude to the outgoing member, Mr Samuel Choy Chung-leung, for his invaluable contribution to the Board in the past years." The OPC is a statutory body established under the Ocean Park Corporation Ordinance to manage Ocean Park as a public recreational and educational park. Ends/Friday, March 9, 2018 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN
Women&apos;s Commission celebrates International Women&apos;s Day 2018
8.3.2018

The following is issued on behalf of the Women's Commission: The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, officiated at a reception organised by the Women's Commission (WoC) to celebrate International Women's Day 2018 today (March 8). The reception was attended by representatives from local women's groups, non-governmental organisations, the business sector and the WoC's Gender Focal Point Network. The Government established the WoC in 2001 as a high-level central forum to make recommendations to the Government on policies and issues that are of concern to women. The WoC has been sparing no efforts to enable Hong Kong women to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life. Also officiating at the reception were the Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Xie Feng; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Ms Qiu Hong; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong; and the Vice-Chairperson of the WoC and Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Chang King-yiu. Prior to the reception, a prize presentation ceremony was held for the "Her Voice" Video Competition co-organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the WoC to promote the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) of the United Nations among secondary school students. Over 100 entries were received, showing students' creative productions on the advancement and challenges of women's development. It was also announced on the occasion that public consultation on the draft outline of the HKSAR's fourth report under the CEDAW ( www.lwb.gov.hk/CEDAW ) had started and will continue until April 30. Members of the public are invited to express their views. Ends/Thursday, March 8, 2018 Issued at HKT 18:55 NNNN
CE attends NPC session opening ceremony in Beijing
5.3.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 5) attended the opening ceremony of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) and conducted other activities in Beijing. The first session of the 13th NPC commenced in Beijing this morning. Premier Li Keqiang delivered the government work report in the meeting, which Mrs Lam attended as the Chief Executive. Mrs Lam said she was honoured to attend the meeting in her capacity as the Chief Executive for the first time. She thanked Premier Li for the support for Hong Kong in the government work report, in particular the support for the integration of Hong Kong into the development of the country, including the Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area to be promulgated and implemented. Mrs Lam said the development of the Bay Area would significantly foster the flow of people, goods, capital and information among the cities in the area, raising regional co-operation to new heights. During her meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Li Xi, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ma Xingrui, shortly after she arrived in Beijing yesterday (March 4), Mrs Lam said to them that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will collaborate fully in the development of the Bay Area and organise promotional activities in Hong Kong after the promulgation of the Development Plan. In the afternoon today, 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 paid a visit to WF Central, a commercial project developed by Hongkong Land, and learnt that its design connects with the history and environment of the Wangfujing area. Mrs Lam and the other officials later attended a seminar organised by the Committee of Youth Activities in Hong Kong to learn more about the experience of Hong Kong young people in studying and developing careers in the Mainland. She noted at the seminar that the Central Government supports the integration of Hong Kong into the development of the country, including the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. She expressed the view that better integration of Hong Kong into the development of the country will bring more development opportunities to the young people in Hong Kong. She said that the HKSAR Government will take up the roles of a "facilitator" and a "promoter" to help young people develop in the Mainland, including through the provision of more internships in units and enterprises in the Mainland. In addition, measures are being rolled out by various Central Authorities to enable Hong Kong people to live, work and study in the Mainland. In the evening, Mrs Lam attended a banquet held by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong. She will continue her visit to Beijing tomorrow (March 6). Ends/Monday, March 5, 2018 Issued at HKT 23:57 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session
4.3.2018

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session today (March 4) before she departs for Beijing: Reporter: My first question is, like FS considered to relax the criteria to cover those who may not be benefitted from the Budget. So does that mean in this year's Budget, some part of the community is forgotten? And my second question is that, the sources said there will be a merge between the Taiwan Affairs Office and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office. It is something that could be triggered because of the Hong Kong independence in recent years. Thank you. Chief Executive: Well, the answer to the second question is simple. I am not aware of any plan, so I cannot comment on it. As far as your first question, I would say that it is not a deliberate omission of some of the groups in society when we said we want to share, we are very caring and so on. But if you look at the existing mechanisms, we have a tax system, we have a social security system. So, the Financial Secretary has built on these systems to provide the caring relief. But he did acknowledge that there will be some gaps and that is why in his Budget speech, he said that he would use the Community Care Fund mechanism to devise a scheme to expand the coverage, so that those who we feel legitimately to share in the economic prosperity of Hong Kong should be given that opportunity. So the question now before us is really to listen more and to devise a scheme which we feel will be as comprehensive as possible in caring for the people whom we feel should deserve a share in Hong Kong's prosperity. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Sunday, March 4, 2018 Issued at HKT 13:58 NNNN
CE to attend NPC session opening ceremony
1.3.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit Beijing from March 4 to 7 and attend the opening ceremony of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing on March 5. During the stay in Beijing, Mrs Lam will meet with Mainland officials and conduct visits. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the visit. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong on March 7. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Thursday, March 1, 2018 Issued at HKT 18:18 NNNN
Speech by CE at Chinese General Chamber of Commerce spring cocktail reception
22.2.2018

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a spring cocktail reception hosted by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce today (February 22): I would now like to say a few words in English. It is my great pleasure to join you all here to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I wish all of you good health, happiness and prosperity in the Year of the Dog. The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce has been a very close partner of the Hong Kong SAR Government in promoting the development of trade and industries in Hong Kong. In particular, the Chamber has been supporting Hong Kong's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development. These two national initiatives, together with the Free Trade Agreement signed between Hong Kong and the ASEAN last year, are set to be the engines of our economic growth. I would like to thank the Chamber for its efforts in the past year, and look forward to working closely with the Chamber to enable our business sector to grasp the opportunities ahead of us. Thank you very much and 恭喜發財 (Kung Hei Fat Choy)! Ends/Thursday, February 22, 2018 Issued at HKT 14:31 NNNN
CE&apos;s statement on 2018-19 Budget
28.2.2018

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (February 28) issued the following statement on the 2018-19 Budget: The Financial Secretary today delivered the first Budget of the current-term Government, providing financial resources to implement all the initiatives announced in my inaugural Policy Address last October, introducing additional policy initiatives with long-term effects, offering one-off relief measures and earmarking another $388 billion for further investing in the future and enhancing public services. In so doing, the Financial Secretary has fully embraced the new style of governance, the new roles of the Government and the new fiscal philosophy that I have set for this term of government. Specifically, I am grateful to the Financial Secretary for earmarking an extra $2 billion per year for education, thereby bringing the commitment in my Election Manifesto on "new education resources" from $5 billion, of which about $3.6 billion has been deployed, to a total of $7 billion. This will provide greater capacity for us to accommodate recommendations from the various task forces set up to examine different aspects of quality education. We will continue to uphold the "Led by Professionals" principle and engage stakeholders in the education sector to prioritise the use of these additional resources. I should add that the $2 billion in recurrent expenditure earmarked is in addition to a range of education-related measures contained in the Budget - from school social work services at primary schools and kindergartens, gifted education, continuing education and matching grants for publicly funded universities to the two relief measures to provide a one-off support grant for needy students and a one-off payment to meet students' examination fees for the 2019 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination. These Budget initiatives echo my belief that government expenditure on education is the most significant investment for our future. While ensuring the health of our public finance, the Financial Secretary has adopted forward-looking and strategic financial management principles in optimising the use of surplus to invest for Hong Kong and relieve our people's burdens. In respect of healthcare services that are of grave concern to many in the community, the 2018-19 Budget has increased recurrent funding to the Hospital Authority. In addition, the Financial Secretary has set aside a sum of $300 billion to support the second 10-year hospital development plan, improve the clinic facilities of the Department of Health, and upgrade and increase healthcare teaching facilities. This, together with the $200 billion earmarked earlier for hospital development, will bring the total capital commitment to $500 billion. I have every confidence that the 2018-19 Budget will inject new impetus into Hong Kong's economy. It also reflects a conscientious effort to address the needs of the people. I appeal to Members of the Legislative Council and the society at large to support these proposals with a view to facilitating their early implementation. Ends/Wednesday, February 28, 2018 Issued at HKT 12:58 NNNN