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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited the headquarters of the Immigration Department (ImmD) this afternoon (November 6) to better understand the work of the department and exchange views with staff.
The visit started with a meeting with the Director of Immigration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the directorate officers, who gave a briefing on the operation, organisation and latest developments of the department. Accompanied by Mr Chan, Mrs Lam then toured various offices and facilities of ImmD.
Mrs Lam first visited the Enterprise System Management Centre, which monitors the operation of all computer systems in ImmD. The centre facilitates the flexible deployment of front-line staff to deliver more efficient services to the public.
This was followed by a tour to the Travel Document Personalisation Centre, where she received a briefing on production of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports. Adopting the most advanced technology in the production process, the HKSAR passports contain high-security features. In 2014, ImmD issued more than 700 000 HKSAR passports.
Mrs Lam then visited the Enforcement Exhibition Gallery, where news reports and photographs of enforcement actions by ImmD, seized exhibits, forgery items and implements for forgery, as well as various kinds of enforcement equipment, are displayed. Mrs Lam praised the work of the Enforcement Division and said she was pleased to learn that ImmD has enhanced its capabilities in detecting immigration offences through strengthening intelligence exchange and co-operation with various law enforcement agencies both locally and in other countries and regions.
Before concluding the visit, Mrs Lam went to the International Cooperation Section to gain a deeper understanding of the work of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU) and met with officers of the AHU. She commended the AHU for working closely with various authorities (including the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions overseas, HKSAR offices outside Hong Kong and consular posts in the HKSAR) as well as other government departments in providing practical assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong on many occasions.
During the visit, Mrs Lam reaffirmed the commitment and professionalism of staff of ImmD and encouraged them to continue to deliver efficient and quality services to local residents and tourists.
Ends/Friday, November 6, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:29
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