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The Director of Immigration, Mr Simon Peh Yun-lu, today (October 24) inspected a passing-out parade at the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development in Tuen Mun as reviewing officer.
¡§The Immigration Service plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong,¡¨Mr Peh said.¡§While enforcing effective immigration measures at all control points, we spare no effort in combating illegal employment and immigration offences to ensure law and order as well as the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.¡¨
Mr Peh said the Immigration Service was also a people-oriented team providing quality and efficient services to the public, which included issuance of identity cards and travel documents, assessment of right of abode applications, issuance of entry visas as well as births, deaths and marriage registrations.¡§Providing high-quality customer services fairly, rigourously and impartially are by no means easy.¡¨
Speaking to the graduating officers, Mr Peh said,¡§Having you as the future pillars of the department, and with the commitment to strive for excellence, to keep up with dedication the excellent tradition of the department, to carry through the ¡§customer-oriented¡¨ value at all times and in all places, and to stride ahead with new impetus, the Hong Kong Immigration Department will continue to maintain its first-rate law enforcement and public services while remaining an excellent and world-renowned Immigration force.¡¨
He quoted Shenzhou-7 as an example.¡§No one can achieve success without pain. Last month, Shenzhou-7 completed a spacewalk mission with a triumphant return and the first spacewalk in Chinese history was realised. To carry out this important mission, the three astronauts went through 10 years of strenuous training. They have fully demonstrated their passion and great sense of commitment to their task. They accomplished their mission no matter how much hardship they endured. Their devotion and conscientiousness provide an exemplary model for learning.¡¨
Behind the success of Shenzhou-7¡¦s mission, Mr Peh said, were the commitment and contribution of all the scientists and researchers from the Mainland aerospace authorities. As well as solving technical problems for the mission and giving clear instructions, they also offered advice and suggestions to the Shenzhou project. The Shenzhou-7 team had demonstrated the spirit of teamwork, dedication and innovation. Mr Peh urged all passing-out officers to learn from this spirit, try their best wherever they were stationed, put vitality and new thinking in the department, and walk hand in hand with one heart towards a farther and higher goal.
Taking part in today¡¦s passing-out parade were 46 Immigration Officers and 107 Immigration Assistants who had successfully completed induction training.
Ends/Friday, October 24, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:39
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