kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
CE visits Community Vaccination Centre at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre
10.3.2021

​The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 10) visited the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre to inspect the official launch of the administration of the Comirnaty vaccine on people of the priority groups who had made reservations, and to give encouragement to personnel manning the centre. Accompanied by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, who are responsible for co-ordinating the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, as well as the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Henry Fan, Mrs Lam was briefed by the HA staff members who run the CVC on the first-day operation of the centre. The CVC at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre is one of the seven CVCs operated by the HA and was officially launched today to provide free administration service of Comirnaty vaccine for people of the priority groups who had successfully made reservations online. Pleased to note that the centre had been operating smoothly, Mrs Lam thanked the healthcare personnel and staff members working there for their participation in helping the Government vaccinate members of the public. She also chatted with people who went there to receive vaccinations and learned that they were satisfied with the vaccination arrangements. The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme was officially launched on February 26. The programme has since been progressively implemented by the Government, having regard to actual circumstances and the proposed framework on priority of vaccinations by the Joint Scientific Committees under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health. At this stage, people of the 12 priority groups can receive vaccines at 15 CVCs, 18 general out-patient clinics of the HA and private doctor clinics. An additional 12 CVCs will commence operation next Tuesday (March 16) to provide more vaccination quotas. Over 110 000 persons have received their first vaccination dose since the commencement of the programme. "The two COVID-19 vaccines currently provided to members of the public were assessed by experts and approved by the Secretary for Food and Health in accordance with the law for emergency use in Hong Kong. They are safe and effective. The Government has also set up a monitoring mechanism earlier, under which experts would review clinical events and explain them to the public at the earliest opportunity. Members of the public should be put at ease," Mrs Lam said. "I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have participated in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, including healthcare workers, experts, colleagues of relevant departments and various partners from the public and private sectors, as well as members of public who have received or plan to receive vaccinations. Our joint efforts will help Hong Kong get through the epidemic gradually. I appeal to people of the priority groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to protect yourself and others." Ends/Wednesday, March 10, 2021 Issued at HKT 22:55 NNNN
CE to attend NPC session opening ceremony
2.3.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will depart for Beijing via Shenzhen on Thursday (March 4) to attend the opening ceremony of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress the next day. The Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the trip. Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong via Shenzhen on Sunday (March 7). During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Ends/Tuesday, March 2, 2021 Issued at HKT 15:20 NNNN
Terms of non-permanent CFA judges extended
25.2.2021

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary: The Chief Executive has accepted the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal to extend the terms of office of three non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions of the Court of Final Appeal for a period of three years commencing March 1, 2021: The Honourable Mr Justice Murray Gleeson The Right Honourable the Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury The Right Honourable the Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance provides for a list of non-permanent Hong Kong judges and a list of judges from other common law jurisdictions. The term of appointment of such judges is three years. That term may be extended for one or more periods of three years by the Chief Executive acting in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Justice. Ends/Thursday, February 25, 2021 Issued at HKT 17:00 NNNN
CE&apos;s statement on 2021-22 Budget
24.2.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (February 24) issued the following statement on the 2021-22 Budget: The Financial Secretary today delivered the fourth Budget of the current-term Government, at a critical time for Hong Kong as we strive to emerge from the unprecedented financial, economic and social challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining fiscal stability. I support the counter-cyclical measures announced in the Budget aiming at easing the financial burden on people and businesses while ensuring that essential public services as well as infrastructure development are maintained. In particular, the continued investment in innovation and technology will have the effect of sustaining the momentum built up in recent years in this emerging economy. It will help position Hong Kong well in the development of an international innovation and technology centre in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Apart from providing the usual relief in terms of tax and rates, and extra allowances for social security and working family allowance recipients, the Budget contains the proposal to issue $5,000 electronic consumption vouchers to each eligible Hong Kong permanent resident and new arrival aged 18 and above. I believe the impact of this initiative will be felt throughout the community during these testing times, and help stimulate local consumption which has been severely dampened because of the epidemic. It is gratified to note that the goal of Hong Kong achieving carbon neutrality before 2050 announced by me in the 2020 Policy Address has been given due regard in the Budget. The continued issue of green bonds and promotion of new energy transportation will go a long way towards that objective. Notably, the Financial Secretary has placed green and sustainable finance and the digital economy at the forefront of Hong Kong's continued pursuit to consolidate and strengthen her role as an international financial centre with the full support of the Central Government. The Budget has also put forward effective measures to ensure prudence in public finance, which in turn will enhance confidence in Hong Kong's fiscal strength and is conducive to maintaining our monetary stability. I support the pragmatic approach in adopting a deficit budget amid the prevailing economic downturn. I appeal to Members of the Legislative Council and society at large to support the 2021-22 Budget proposals, with a view to facilitating their early implementation. Ends/Wednesday, February 24, 2021 Issued at HKT 13:23 NNNN
Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo
23.2.2021

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (February 23): Reporter: Secretary Patrick Nip said Hong Kong Government is studying legislation to prohibit insulting public officials. What do you think of this effort? Could it restrict the free speech of Hong Kong residents? Thank you. Chief Executive: First of all, we are not in a so-called "very mature stage" of considering legislation in that respect, but it has been the aspiration of many of my frontline officers. It's not just police officers but many public officers in the front line. In recent years, they have been intimidated, threatened and insulted in carrying out their duties, and this is no good for a civic society. There have been suggestions in the Legislative Council that the Government should seriously look into enacting a piece of legislation to prohibit or to control that sort of behaviour. But as I said, we have a lot of competing demands on our plate, so to speak. I have already outlined earlier this month, there are five important areas that the Government needs to legislate within the current term of the Legislative Council, which is about a few months. I would say that this is not one of the pieces of legislation that has been put at the very high priority. But one day, if we were to legislate, I think we would be very careful in striking the needed balance. Yes, the Basic Law protects and upholds rights of individuals including freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, but as many court cases have made it very clear, these rights and freedoms are not without limitations. When they undermine another person's right, then something needs to be done. There has to be a very delicate and very serious balancing act to be done if one were to consider such a piece of legislation. At the moment, we have not reached that stage. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Issued at HKT 12:52 NNNN
CE delivers Lunar New Year message
11.2.2021

Following is the translation of the Lunar New Year message delivered by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (February 11): "A new year represents new beginnings. Having gone through an exceptionally challenging year, we all look forward to a fresh start in the new year. This year, because of the epidemic, the Government urges members of the public to reduce gatherings and enjoy a quiet Spring Festival. Yet, with technology bringing people closer together, we can extend festive greetings to relatives and friends living here and abroad and express our care for senior family members and citizens through various means. "This year is the Year of the Ox. The ox is a symbol of diligence and perseverance. I believe that as long as we stand united and work together with perseverance, Hong Kong can certainly rise above all challenges, emerge stronger and scale new heights. "I wish you all a harmonious, auspicious and healthy Year of the Ox." The message is available on the Chief Executive's website ( www.ceo.gov.hk/lny_message21/eng/ ). Ends/Thursday, February 11, 2021 Issued at HKT 12:45 NNNN
CE commends seven serving and retired senior police officers
10.2.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, presented the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service to seven serving and retired senior police officers at the presentation ceremony at the Ballroom of Government House today (February 10) in recognition of their significant contributions to safeguarding national security. The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law) was enacted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on June 30, 2020, and was promulgated for implementation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security. The HKSAR shoulders the important responsibility for safeguarding national security, and the Hong Kong Police Force has established a department for safeguarding national security with law enforcement capacity. In preparation for the implementation of the National Security Law and setting up its National Security Department, the Hong Kong Police Force had, within a critical time span, urgently completed the preparation for the necessary manpower, equipment, facilities, and the formulation of managerial and operational strategies and procedural guidelines. In the past few months, the responsible officers presented outstanding leadership, professionalism and courage to shoulder responsibility and unwavering commitment to discharge their duties in safeguarding national security. Their work is commendable. Amongst them, seven relevant police officers made personal sacrifices to safeguard national security and ensure the full implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy, demonstrating steadfastness and fearlessness. The Chief Executive fully recognised and commended their work. The Government also announced in the Gazette today the above awards. The citations of the award recipients are provided in the Appendix. Ends/Wednesday, February 10, 2021 Issued at HKT 16:47 NNNN
CE holds virtual engagement session with HK members of CPPCC
9.2.2021

Following the meeting with Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) yesterday (February 8), the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, held an engagement session with 90 Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) via video conferencing today (February 9) to exchange views on such topics as the developments of Hong Kong and the Mainland before they attend the meetings of the NPC and the CPPCC to be held in Beijing next month. Members of the CPPCC spoke enthusiastically during the meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, and Mrs Lam listened attentively to their views on various areas, including their concerns about vaccination and expectations for early resumption of travel between people in the two places and local economic activities. She stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will spare no effort in fighting the epidemic and taking forward the vaccination programme. Noting that how Hong Kong is integrated into the overall development of the nation is a crucial issue, with the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative to bring enormous opportunities to Hong Kong, she said that it is of paramount importance to Hong Kong's future, particularly with regard to youth development. She expressed the hope that Hong Kong members of the CPPCC will work together with the HKSAR Government to strive for the support of the Central Authorities as well as the co-operation of the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government to explore more room for Hong Kong's development. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, also attended the session. Ends/Tuesday, February 9, 2021 Issued at HKT 21:57 NNNN
CE holds virtual engagement session with HK deputies to National People&apos;s Congress
8.2.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, held an engagement session with Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) via video conferencing today (February 8) to exchange views with them on Hong Kong's better integration into the overall development of the nation before they attend the meetings of the NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to be held in Beijing next month. During the meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, a total of 24 deputies expressed their views covering a wide range of topics, with many of them expressing the hope that travel between the two places can resume gradually sooner rather than later, helped by the vaccination programme and continued virus testing. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, also attended the session. Mrs Lam said that the NPC and its Standing Committee, as the highest organ of state power, helped solve the problems faced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the constitutional level three times over the past year, which is testimony to the overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR exercised by the Central Authorities and the constitutional relationship between the Central Authorities and the HKSAR. She pointed out that this year is the opening year of the country's 14th Five-Year Plan and that Hong Kong will participate more actively in the nation's development, particularly in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Belt and Road Initiative and the new economic development pattern of domestic and international dual circulation. She expressed the hope that Hong Kong deputies to the NPC would continue to express their views on the related work and lend staunch support to the HKSAR. Mrs Lam will hold an engagement session with Hong Kong members of the CPPCC via video conferencing tomorrow (February 9). Ends/Monday, February 8, 2021 Issued at HKT 21:38 NNNN
CE visits peach blossom farm in Pat Heung and Skylight Market in Tin Shui Wai
8.2.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (February 8) visited a peach blossom farm in Pat Heung and the Skylight Market in Tin Shui Wai to learn more about their business situations and extend advance Lunar New Year greetings to members of the public. Mrs Lam started the visit at a farm where Lunar New Year flowers have been grown for more than 50 years. As she learned more about its business this year, Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the farmer, who is over 80 years old, and for years has supplied peach blossom trees to Government House to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Mrs Lam paid tribute to him for running the farm for several decades. Noting that owing to the epidemic, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had to make special arrangements for the Lunar New Year fairs, and as adjustments were also made subsequently, she said that flower growers were bound to be affected and appealed for their understanding. She pointed out that the Government will do its utmost to fight the virus in order to resume the daily lives of members of the public and help economic activities return to normal as soon as possible. She also said that she would support the promotion of high value-added and sustainable development of the local agricultural sector as well as provide technical support to farmers. Accompanied by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Miss Vivian Lau; and the Director of Architectural Services, Ms Winnie Ho, Mrs Lam then visited the FEHD's Skylight Market in Tin Shui Wai. The market commenced operation at the end of last year, providing 36 dry and wet goods stalls. With the application of the modular integrated construction method, the building of the market was completed in 10 months. The design of the market has also adopted the concept of "place making" with the intention to create it as a place for leisure and gathering. Mrs Lam noted that different anti-epidemic measures were taken in the market, including the installation of thermometers, display of the QR code for the "LeaveHomeSafe" COVID-19 exposure notification mobile app and arrangement of contactless payments by all stalls. She chatted with a number of stall operators and customers, and was pleased to note that they were satisfied with the market's novel design, clean environment, convenient location and smooth operation. She said that the Government would continue to build new public markets and improve the facilities and management of existing markets in accordance with the plan announced earlier, including the building of new markets in Tseung Kwan O, Tin Shui Wai, Tung Chung and Kwu Tung North New Development Area as well as overhauling the Aberdeen Market to meet the daily needs of the people. Mrs Lam bought some fruits in the market and extended festive greetings to stall operators and residents. Ends/Monday, February 8, 2021 Issued at HKT 21:27 NNNN
CE thanks members of public for co-operating with compulsory testing operations
1.2.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (February 1) thanked the vast majority of the members of the public for co-operating with the compulsory measures adopted by the Government to prevent and control the spread of the epidemic, emphasising that the Government will take stringent enforcement action against offenders. "All the compulsory measures taken by the Government amid the epidemic are necessary and with legal basis. It is an offence to breach the rules and penalties are clear. Regardless of whether members of the public are required to undergo compulsory virus tests or commercial or personal activities are subject to restriction, we hope that we can have the full co-operation of the public in order to achieve the expected results," Mrs Lam said. "I noticed that the vast majority of the relevant citizens were fully co-operative during the four compulsory testing operations at the 'restricted areas' and in the relevant law enforcement actions in the past week. The operation at Blocks 5 and 7 of Laguna City completed this morning is an example, with no residents found to have not undergone compulsory tests. In the other law enforcement operations conducted at three 'restricted areas' in Jordan, Yau Ma Tei and North Point earlier, about 200, 5 and 15 residents respectively were identified as having violated the compulsory testing requirement. "I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to members of the public for their understanding and co-operation. Various government departments will continue to take stock of their experience for the benefit of the operations, with a view to minimising inconvenience caused to the residents and suppressing the epidemic effectively as soon as possible, so that economic activities and people's daily lives can return to normal gradually," Mrs Lam said. Regarding a public officer who was injured in an attack while taking part in the operation to enforce a "restriction-testing declaration" last night, Mrs Lam sent her regards to the officer and condemned the assailant's violent behaviour. "Hong Kong is governed by the rule of law. Violent acts are totally unacceptable. Testing programmes implemented by the Government are intended to safeguard public health, and inconvenience caused to the public is minimised as far as possible. Members of the public may raise their questions or express their views through various means. They should not pick on the working staff or even resort to violence," Mrs Lam said. Various government departments will proactively enforce the anti-epidemic regulations, including verifying the testing certification of residents at the entrances and exits of buildings subject to compulsory testing, conducting inspections on premises to check whether there is illegal operation or violation of relevant requirements, and taking enforcement action in public places in relation to regulations on mask wearing, group gatherings and more. Ends/Monday, February 1, 2021 Issued at HKT 16:45 NNNN