Han praises work of HK civil service

Vice-Premier Han Zheng praised the civil service of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Wednesday for their efforts and contribution to the city.

Han, the central government’s highest official in charge of Hong Kong and Macao affairs, made the remarks after meeting a visiting delegation of Hong Kong’s senior civil servants led by Secretary for the Civil Service Joshua Law Chi-kong in Beijing on Wednesday.

This is the first time Han has met civil servants from the Hong Kong SAR after he took over Hong Kong and Macao affairs early this year.

Han said Hong Kong’s governing team, led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, has stood together, worked pragmatically and made a great contribution to the society.

The quality and capability of the city’s administration had comprehensively improved and the government’s efforts have won widespread recognition, Han said.

Han hoped the city’s civil servants fully implement the “one country, two systems” principle and reinforce their awareness of the national Constitution and the Basic Law. He also hopes the team will help promote the city’s integration into the nation’s overall development.

Han urged them to closely study remarks made by President Xi Jinping when he met representatives from Hong Kong and Macao SARs during their visit to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the country’s reform and opening-up earlier this month.

Han stressed that civil servants must use “wisdom” and “courage” when handling social issues and adhere to “people-oriented” principles, Joshua Law said, citing Han’s words after the meeting.

Law said that he and all the other delegates were inspired by Han’s praise and encouragement.

The delegation, led by Law, consists of 11 permanent secretaries and department heads of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

On Tuesday, the delegates also met with Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Zhang Xiaoming, and attended courses on national affairs at the Chinese Academy of Governance.

These senior civil servants will visit Hangzhou on Thursday to learn about the city’s experience on boosting innovation, technology and smart city development.

The trip aims to help delegation members have a better understanding of the nation’s latest development and major policies, and strengthen exchanges with officials on the mainland.