Civil Service College organises seminar on "China's Current Peripheral Security Situation"
The Civil Service College (CSC) of the Civil Service Bureau organised a seminar on "China's Current Peripheral Security Situation" today (October 29) as part of its "Holistic Approach to National Security" seminar series. The seminar was delivered by Vice President of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations Dr Li Kai.
During the seminar, Dr Li analysed the latest peripheral security situation of China amid global changes, and discussed how China promotes co-operation with neighbouring countries and safeguards national security, reflecting the need to co-ordinate development and security.
Addressing the seminar, the Head of the CSC, Mr Oscar Kwok, said that risks to national security are ever-present. Safeguarding national security is no longer solely the responsibility of intelligence agencies or law enforcement bodies, but a responsibility shared by all citizens, including civil servants of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) across different professions. He noted that, while developing an understanding of regional developments, promoting shared development and strengthening mutual trust, civil servants must also remain vigilant about national security amid increasingly frequent cross-boundary activities. They must effectively prevent and mitigate risks and fulfil their role in safeguarding national security.
Around 180 officers of the HKSAR Government, including politically appointed officials and middle- and senior-level civil servants, attended the seminar today, with some participants taking part through video-conferencing.
The series, launched in 2023, provides a comprehensive understanding of the Holistic Approach to National Security, analyses the latest national security landscape under the context of great power rivalry, and addresses the challenges faced by the country in maintaining national security to enhance civil servants' awareness of consciously safeguarding national security. The seminars are delivered by experts from the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations and the Center for a Holistic Approach to National Security.
The Civil Service College (CSC) of the Civil Service Bureau organised a seminar on "China's Current Peripheral Security Situation" today (October 29) as part of its "Holistic Approach to National Security" seminar series. Photo shows the Head of the CSC, Mr Oscar Kwok, delivering a speech at the seminar. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Civil Service College of the Civil Service Bureau organised a seminar on "China's Current Peripheral Security Situation" today (October 29) as part of its "Holistic Approach to National Security" seminar series. Photo shows Vice President of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations Dr Li Kai delivering the talk. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Statement by ExCo Non-official Members
The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Non-official Members) today (October 29) issued the following statement on the Government's follow-up work in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court:
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today released the report of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The Chief Executive and Principal Officials also held a press conference to give an account of relevant matters to the public. ExCo Non-official Members expressed full support for the Government in facing up to the problems, shouldering responsibility, and pursuing comprehensive reforms.
The Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members, Mrs Regina Ip, said, "The Chief Executive and Principal Officials have clearly explained to the public the Government's follow-up work, and, on behalf of the HKSAR Government, apologised to the residents of Wang Fuk Court and the community, demonstrating sincerity and political commitment. The Chief Executive also called on his team to continue to give their utmost in their respective positions in pressing ahead with various reforms and the extensive work ahead, while drawing lessons from the incident and better exercising leadership to step up the implementation of the result-oriented governing approach. I support this position."
"The Government's plans to implement comprehensive reform on the basis of the Independent Committee's report are comprehensive and pragmatic, addressing the crux of the issues. I concur with the seven major directions of systemic reform put forward by the Government. These include combatting bid-rigging in building maintenance and renovation projects, establishing a cross-departmental task force to combat crimes related to bid-rigging in such projects, establishing a Building Maintenance Support and Services Council, reforming the operation and regulatory system for building maintenance and renovation, reforming the structure of the Buildings Department, establishing a centralised data system and reforming the complaint mechanism, and establishing a steering committee chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration to follow up on the Independent Committee's recommendations."
As regards accountability, the Government has demonstrated its determination to pursue responsibility comprehensively and enforce accountability at various levels. On criminal liability, law enforcement authorities have successively instituted prosecutions against the companies and individuals involved in the incident. The Government has also initiated the Administrative Responsibility Two-tier Investigation Mechanism under the Heads of Department Accountability System, and is strictly following up on the administrative responsibility of the civil servants concerned. As for political accountability, the Chief Executive, having considered a wide range of factors, decided that the Secretary for Housing should take political accountability, and has accepted the Secretary's resignation.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court has exposed a number of long-standing inadequacies at different systemic levels, and the issues involved are complex and intertwined. Properly addressing these issues requires firm resolve as well as precise and decisive decision-making. ExCo Non-official Members will give their full support to the Government in taking forward comprehensive reforms and will continue to fully support its governance. ExCo Non-official Members firmly believe that, as long as society works together with dedication to turn grief into the strength to move forward, learns from the experience, and thoroughly implements systemic reforms, similar incidents can certainly be prevented, making Hong Kong a safer and better home.
