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Following is the speech by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph W P Wong, at the Hong Kong Civil Service Organisations' Cocktail Reception to Celebrate the 53rd Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China (September 19):

Mr Tung, Mr Gao, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to this cocktail reception to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The past five years since Hong Kong's return to the motherland saw the successful implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" concept. Such an achievement has not only brought to realisation the creative and bold vision of our late statesman Mr Deng Xiaoping, but also testified to the concerted efforts of all the people of Hong Kong and the unfailing support from the Central Government. Every one of us in Hong Kong, including all civil servants, should be heartened and proud of ourselves.

Today, we gather together in celebration of the founding of the PRC. This reminds me of the 5th anniversary celebrations of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), which took place two months ago. President Jiang Zemin, gracing Hong Kong with his presence at the celebrations, has expressed three hopes for Hong Kong in his officiating speech. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the positive role of the Hong Kong civil service in these three aspects.

First, President Jiang hoped the people of all circles in Hong Kong would become better masters of Hong Kong and the motherland. In particular, he stressed that we should enhance our awareness of our heritage and our commitment to our nation. In this respect, the HKSAR Government has, in the past few years, endeavoured to help civil servants at all levels deepen their knowledge of the political, economic and social systems of the motherland through various kinds of training programmes and visits. Recently, the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) has joined hands with the Shanghai Municipal Government in introducing a staff exchange programme which would provide our colleagues with an opportunity to work in Mainland government departments for a period of time. They will be given the chance to familiarise themselves with the systems of the Mainland and to experience the life of a civil servant there. However, a more practical and fundamental target is that all colleagues should learn and speak Putonghua - the common language of our country - as soon as possible. To tie in with the national Putonghua campaign launched by the State Council in September every year, major organisations in Hong Kong, including government departments, have organised a series of "Putonghua Month" activities starting from September 15. In support of these activities, I chose to deliver this speech in Putonghua, hoping that all of you will be more confident of your Putonghua after you have heard mine.

Second, President Jiang hoped the HKSAR Government would constantly improve their performance so as to provide better services to the public and society. He called on civil servants at all levels to work with one heart and strive to achieve success. I trust that all civil servant colleagues will, under the leadership of the Chief Executive, conscientiously perform their duties and devote themselves to better serving the people.

Third, President Jiang hoped the HKSAR Government and Hong Kong people in general would strengthen their confidence and work persistently towards a new economic landscape in Hong Kong. He said that one of Hong Kong's economic strengths was that it had a contingent of high-quality civil servants. Hong Kong is faced with unprecedented challenges and the general public a multitude of difficulties. Sharing a common destiny with the people, civil servants should carry forward Hong Kong people's fine traditions of courage, industry and enterprise, and help Hong Kong overcome the current difficulties. In fact, the civil service has made continued efforts to reduce its establishment and to improve its services over the past few years. Our achievements are there for all to see. I am confident that colleagues will continue to strive for excellence, be responsive to the expectations of the public and share the burden with the rest of the community.

Today's cocktail reception, a celebration organised by Hong Kong civil service organisations in association with the CSB, bears testimony to the patriotic feelings of the civil service. The Chief Executive has said that there was a close partnership between the HKSAR Government and the civil service. I believe that in the days to come, all colleagues will do their best to support the HKSAR Government in its governance, and help Hong Kong overcome the difficulties ahead. This is tantamount to making a contribution to our country.

Lastly, let me wish our country prosperity and Hong Kong early recovery of its economy and the beginning of a new chapter.

Thank you.

End/Thursday, September 19, 2002

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