CE presents award certificate of Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance to Task Force on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation (with photos)
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The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was unanimously passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on March 19 this year and took effect on March 23. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) completed the legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law, fulfilling the constitutional responsibility and historic mission that Hong Kong had been waiting for 26 years, eight months and 19 days. The Task Force had completed its legislative work in a highly efficient and expeditious manner, from launching a consultation, drafting legislative proposals, explaining the contents of the bill and rebutting untruthful remarks, to assisting the LegCo in scrutinising the bill. The bill was finally passed unanimously. With the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong has established solid fortifications and consolidated its "defence wall" in the transition from chaos to order. This achievement, together with the effective implementation of major initiatives such as the implementation of the National Security Law and the reform of Hong Kong's electoral system, mark a milestone in the implementation of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the cross-departmental Task Force was highly efficient and professional, holding a strong belief in the necessity and urgency of enacting local legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law, and that the sooner the enactment of the legislation the better. The Task Force had worked at full steam and with whole-hearted commitment, demonstrating the team's resolute determination in safeguarding national security and implementing the "one country, two systems" principle for the HKSAR to make glorious history.
Mr Lee said, "The civil service is an integral part of the HKSAR’s governance system and the key for a capable government that can deliver results. As the expectations and demands of the community towards the Government have continuously grown, the entire civil service is facing more new challenges. They have to execute policies effectively and provide quality service, and shoulder the grave responsibilities of safeguarding national security and ensure social stability at the same time. The award-winning team, the Task Force on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation, stood out from a crowd of nominations and is the role model for civil servants."
In her acceptance speech at the ceremony, the representative of the Task Force and the then Deputy Secretary for Security, Mrs Apollonia Liu, said that it was an honour for the Task Force to have the opportunity to take part in the legislative work, which is of historical significance. She expressed gratitude to the Chief Executive for awarding this honour to the Task Force as an affirmation of the efforts they made, and thanked all officers who had taken part in this legislative work directly or indirectly, adding that the smooth completion of the legislation was definitely an outcome of the united and concerted efforts of the entire HKSAR Government, the LegCo and the whole community.
Other guests attending the ceremony included the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee.
The nomination exercise for the new round of the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance commenced in April this year. The Civil Service Bureau invited bureaux to nominate outstanding teams or colleagues for the honour. The response was very positive and bureaux had actively nominated outstanding teams in recognition of their outstanding performance in different areas. After being made by the respective Directors of Bureaux, each nomination was considered by a selection committee chaired by the Secretary for the Civil Service. The committee carefully considered each nomination and put forward its recommendations to the Chief Executive. After considering the committee's recommendations, the Chief Executive made his decision on the teams or individuals to be awarded.
Ends/Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Issued at HKT 19:22
Issued at HKT 19:22
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