Remarks by SCS at media session (with video)
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, on the offers of the 2026-27 civil service pay adjustment at a media session this afternoon (June 9):
Reporter: Secretary, could you provide me with more information on how the flat 2 per cent pay rise reflects the six considered factors that you and the Chief Executive keep mentioning? Also, right now, the flat 2 per cent increase is actually lower, for example, for the senior civil servants, compared to the initial net pay rise (trend) indicators. So, would you also say the Government did consider another important factor, which is social sentiment that some public members sort of like raised in the past week, when the Government or the Executive Council considered in making this final decision?
Secretary for the Civil Service: When the Executive Council came to this pay offer decision, the Executive Council has taken into account all the six factors in our pay adjustment mechanism, and has arrived at this conclusion. In taking into account factors that have objective figures to support, the Executive Council has not only taken into account those figures, but has also taken into account factors relevant to this year, 2026. Factors like the substantial financial commitment that the Government has to make for Hong Kong's future development, the geopolitical situation that has brought drastic changes to economies worldwide, the impact on Hong Kong's economy, and the continued lack of a definite, clear outcome of those geopolitical tensions, the Executive Council has taken all these into account. The net pay trend indicators have never been the single consideration of the Executive Council, and there is also no obligation for the Executive Council to follow closely or identically the net pay trend indicators. The Executive Council has to make a balanced decision, taking into account the most relevant considerations of the year.
As to whether public sentiments have been taken into account, I can say that in every decision made by the Executive Council, the Executive Council takes into account public sentiments, and this one included. Public sentiments are not only public sentiments about individual incidents, but also public sentiments about public expectations, about how the Government should manage its finances, and how the Government should act, should make responsible decisions about our future.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Source: AI-found images
Ombudsman meets with Deputy Secretary of Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Vice Chairman of National Commission of Supervision
The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (June 9) met with the Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Vice Chairman of the National Commission of Supervision (NCS), Mr Fu Kui. Leading an NCS delegation to pay an official visit to Hong Kong, Mr Fu called on the Office of The Ombudsman and exchanged views with Mr Chan and the directorate.
At the meeting, Mr Chan outlined the Office's achievements, noting that his three strategic focuses, namely mediation, interdepartmental collaboration and cultivating a positive complaint culture, have all delivered significant results. He highlighted the Office's supervisory role over public administration in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and its commitment to promoting good governance and improving people's livelihood through investigations, recommendations and observations. Mr Chan also mentioned that the Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy, which was established by the Office through internal resources, actively organises exchange activities locally, across the border and abroad to advocate the concept of maladministration prevention while serving as a bridge between the Mainland and global counterparts. He added that in late 2026, the Office will host the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA)'s 30th anniversary celebration, including an international forum and the 27th meeting of the AOA's Board of Directors, to further deepen international co-operation and strengthen regional ties. At the meeting, Mr Chan and Mr Fu, both AOA Board members, also exchanged views on the AOA's remarkable accomplishments over the past three decades.
Mr Fu acknowledged and supported the Office's commitment to innovation, reform and the promotion of good governance, especially its effectiveness in addressing public concerns and its important supervisory role in enhancing public administration in the HKSAR. After the meeting, three Assistant Ombudsmen gave the delegation a guided tour of the Office and introduced the key responsibilities of its three major divisions. Mr Fu also took time to engage with the Chief Officers, encouraging them to uphold professionalism while striving to enhance public administration and improve people's livelihood.
Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to Mr Fu for his visit and to the NCS for its ongoing support and guidance for the Office. He reiterated his commitment to continue leading the Office in diligently performing its supervisory functions, while specifically and proactively aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to drive high-quality development for public benefit. Leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connections to the world, the Office will strengthen both domestic co-ordination and international outreach, thereby fostering the sustained development and innovation of the ombudsman system.
Ombudsman meets with Deputy Secretary of Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Vice Chairman of National Commission of Supervision Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Ombudsman meets with Deputy Secretary of Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Vice Chairman of National Commission of Supervision Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Ombudsman meets with Deputy Secretary of Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Vice Chairman of National Commission of Supervision Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Ombudsman meets with Deputy Secretary of Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Vice Chairman of National Commission of Supervision Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
