Hong Kong's Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen delivers a speech at a seminar under the theme "Understanding the Constitutional Order and Safeguarding National Security" in Hong Kong on Aug 9, 2021. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR GOVT)
HONG KONG – Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen said Monday that the civil service is the “backbone” of the Hong Kong Special Administrative (HKSAR) government, stressing that it was important for civil servants to understand accurately the constitutional order established under the Constitution and the Basic Law.
Nip made the remarks while addressing a seminar which was attended by around 480 civil servants in the directorate and senior ranks.
The civil service is the backbone of the HKSAR government, shouldering the responsibilities of thoroughly implementing 'one country, two systems' and supporting the HKSAR government in the administration of Hong Kong.
Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, Hong Kong's secretary for civil service
Citing the remarks made by Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xia Baolong in February this year, Nip said that "(t)o ensure the steady and sustained implementation of 'one country, two systems' and keep it on the right path, it is imperative for the administrators of Hong Kong to fully and faithfully understand and implement the policy".
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"The civil service is the backbone of the HKSAR government, shouldering the responsibilities of thoroughly implementing 'one country, two systems' and supporting the HKSAR government in the administration of Hong Kong,” Nip said.
"It is of utmost importance for civil servants to understand accurately the constitutional order established under the Constitution of our country and the Basic Law," he added.
Nip said that civil servants should enhance their knowledge of and have an accurate understanding of the core essence of “one country, two systems”, so as to support the government in fully implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” and ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”.
Monday’s event is the second part of a series of seminars organized by the Civil Service Bureau for directorate and senior civil servants under the theme of "Understanding the Constitutional Order and Safeguarding National Security".
The event covered the topics on the core spirit of the Basic Law, the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and the importance and necessity of improving the electoral system of the HKSAR.
A third seminar will be held in September, covering the theme of safeguarding national security and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR.
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