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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 21):
Distinguished guests, colleagues,
Welcome to today's awards presentation ceremony.
First of all, allow me to extend my warmest congratulations to the colleagues awarded the Secretary for the Civil Service (SCS)'s Commendation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their contributions to the Government, their bureaux and departments, and the community.
The SCS' Commendation Award Scheme was introduced in 2004. Each year we give commendation to deserving civil servants for consistently outstanding performance in their daily work. Up to now, a total of 596 civil servants have been awarded commendation, including 77 awardees this year. Many of the awardees are junior colleagues.
A professional and highly efficient civil service is pivotal to effective governance and administration. In his recent Policy Address, the Chief Executive paid tribute to the contributions of the civil service and extended his heartfelt thanks to colleagues for their efforts. In response to the community's rising expectations of the Government and the increasing demand for public services, civil service colleagues must continue to uphold their professionalism and deliver quality services. The Chief Executive is confident that the civil service will hold fast to the principle of caring for the people and continue to serve the public and contribute to the community. The Civil Service Bureau will continue to maintain and enhance the morale of the civil service, and encourage bureaux and departments to make more use of the various commendation schemes to recognise and motivate exemplary performance by civil servants.
May I once again express my sincere congratulations to each awardee and wish all civil service colleagues every success in the years to come.
Thank you.
Ends/Monday, November 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:51
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