Speech by SCS at the Secretary for the Civil Service's Commendation Awards presentation ceremony
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     Following is the translation of the speech by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, at the Secretary for the Civil Service's Commendation Awards presentation ceremony today (November 13):

Distinguished guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

     Welcome to today's presentation ceremony.

     First of all, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to colleagues awarded the Secretary for the Civil Service (SCS)'s Commendation. I take this opportunity to thank them for their contributions towards the Government, their departments and the community.

     This is the fifth presentation ceremony held for the SCS' Commendation Award Scheme, which was introduced in 2004 to give deserving civil servants recognition for consistently outstanding performance in their daily work. There are altogether 76 awardees this year. They come from 36 bureaux and departments, and many of them are colleagues from the lower band of the civil service.  

     A professional, clean and politically neutral civil service is an integral part of effective governance and administration. In his recent Policy Address, the Chief Executive expressed his gratitude to all civil servants for their professionalism and he was proud of their outstanding performance. He said that rising civic awareness had increased public demands for accountability. In the face of this challenge, the civil service has been as devoted to duty as ever and spared no effort to meet the needs of the community. We must remain humble at all times and be open to suggestions for improvement to ensure that continuous efforts will be made to enhance the quality of public services to respond to citizens' needs.

     Lastly, may I once again congratulate each and every awardee.  

     Thank you.

Ends/Thursday, November 13, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:07

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