The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) today (July 22) held a session on "Spirit of the President's Important Speech" at Revenue Tower. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended as a keynote speaker. Some 1 000 colleagues at middle and senior levels of policy branches and departments under the FSTB also participated in person or online for an in-depth reflection on how to integrate the "four musts" and "four proposals" into their official duties and implement them in their daily work.

     President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. President Xi raised "four musts" for the new administration: we must fully and faithfully implement the principle of "one country, two systems"; we must uphold the Central Government's overall jurisdiction while securing the HKSAR's high degree of autonomy; we must ensure that Hong Kong is administered by patriots; and we must maintain Hong Kong's distinctive status and advantages. President Xi also laid down "four proposals" for the newly inaugurated Government, i.e. further improving its governance, continuing to create strong impetus for growth, earnestly addressing people's concerns and difficulties in daily life, and working together to safeguard harmony and stability.

     Mr Hui said, "To fulfill the 'four musts' and realise the 'four proposals', we must answer a core question – what the FSTB should do to contribute to our country and Hong Kong."

     In respect of the Financial Services Branch, Mr Hui said proactive policy initiatives on financial development should be taken forward to create and accumulate wealth; finance should be leveraged to support the country's strategies such as the development of Renminbi internationalisation; financial infrastructure and policies closely related to people’s livelihood should be continuously enhanced with an aim of benefitting people. Regarding the Treasury Branch, proper use of public resources should be ensured; Hong Kong's international competitiveness should be uplifted through international tax agreements and other tax policies; electronic public services should be promoted to facilitate the public and enterprises.

     During the seminar, the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan; the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury), Ms Cathy Chu; the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; and the Political Assistant to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Julian Ip, also shared their views with the participants. 

     Moreover, participating colleagues also shared their views and feelings, including the need to well equip themselves, for example, to add value to their work through the Cyber Learning Centre Plus, as well as striving for excellence to add value to Hong Kong.

     Mr Hui also encouraged colleagues to duly perform their duties in a pragmatic manner, keep seeking improvement and adopt a results-oriented approach, so that the FSTB can become a policy bureau of "active response" and "prompt action", and strive to meet the expectations of the Central Government and the general public.

Ends/Friday, July 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:45

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