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The Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, today (December 22) signed the second agreement for the exchange of civil servants between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Beijing Municipal Government.
The Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Personnel, Mr Xin Tieliang, signed the agreement on behalf of the Beijing Municipal Government at a ceremony in Hong Kong.
Under the agreement, three to five officers from each side will be attached to the government of the other side for four to eight weeks each year from 2007 to 2008. The exchange programme not only facilitates sharing of knowledge and expertise, but also fosters a better understanding and closer partnership between Hong Kong and Beijing.
The first staff exchange agreement between Hong Kong and Beijing was signed in December, 2003. Under the agreement, 26 departments of Hong Kong and Beijing have joined the programme. A total of 22 middle or senior ranking officers were attached to the other side from 2004 to 2006.
The scope of exchange was very extensive, including construction, city planning, transportation, public housing, public health, trade and industry, science and technology, intellectual property, culture and telecommunication, etc.
The first staff exchange programme fully achieved its objectives in enhancing partnership and mutual communication. Both governments have continued with the communication and visits after the exchange period. With the support of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, HKSAR and Beijing governments have decided to extend their agreement on the basis of the first one.
Ends/Friday, December 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:06
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