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The Immigration Department today (August 4) hosted a reception to celebrate its 50th anniversary. It was attended by more than 400 guests including senior government officials, members of foreign missions in Hong Kong, Mainland officials and prominent figures in the community.
Officiating at the reception, the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee, remarked that the Immigration Department has provided a wide range of key services to the public in the past 50 years. Its work has not only encompassed many aspects of the daily life of the people, but has also witnessed the changes that the society has gone through, he said. Facing numerous challenges in the past 50 years, the Immigration Department has always forged ahead with professionalism, dedication and commitment to the successful completion of every task, he added.
"The number of inbound and outbound passengers has kept rising since the reunification. It was more than 240 million in 2010. For a small place like Hong Kong, this figure is astounding," he said. The Immigration Department has been working on new initiatives to enhance the efficiency at control points. Initiatives such as the automated clearance system and the highly secure smart identity card and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region electronic passport are instrumental in facilitating cross-boundary traffic and maintaining effective immigration control. They also help to ensure the provision of quality service to the public and visitors, which will further strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international hub for trade and commerce, logistics and tourism.
Mr Lee also commended the colleagues of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit and its 1868 24-hour hotline for their calmness and efficiency in rendering much-needed assistance to Hong Kong people at the front line whenever an emergency has happened.
"Excellence and Innovation" has been the motto for the Immigration Department for half a century, Mr Lee said. He hopes that the department will scale new heights in its pursuit of excellence and innovation in the future. Accompanied by the Director of Immigration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Mr Lee unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the 50th anniversary of the Immigration Department.
Earlier today, Mr Chan officiated at the time capsule laying ceremony at the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development to mark the anniversary. Speaking at the ceremony, he encouraged every member of the department to keep up the spirit of striving for excellence and serving the public wholeheartedly, so as to attain the vision of being the foremost immigration service in the world in effectiveness and efficiency.
Items put into the time capsule included an immigration authenticating stamp, the rank insignia, a staff list, specimens of Hong Kong identity cards and travel documents, departmental publications and copies of immigration-related ordinances. The time capsule will be kept for 25 years before it is unsealed.
Ends/Thursday, August 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:12
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