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Following is the opening remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, at the Seminar on "Hong Kong into the 21st Century - Maintaining Integrity in the Civil Service" this (Thursday) morning:
Colleagues, guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Introduction
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In less than two months, we will be celebrating the first anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Today's important forum gives us a good opportunity to reflect on an essential aspect of good governance. That is our integrity and our honesty. I place those qualities above all else and that is why I was delighted to be invited to open this special seminar today.
The Hong Kong Civil Service enjoys a well-deserved but hard earned reputation among the local and international community for its efficiency and honesty. Our high standard of probity and performance are acknowledged to be among the key advantages that have secured Hong Kong's very high position in the global league of the best places to live and to invest and work. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The theme of today's seminar : "Hong Kong into the 21st Century - Maintaining Integrity in the Civil Service" underlines the commitment of the Government to uphold this fine tradition as we prepare ourselves for the next century.
Shared Values
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Now over 190,000 strong, the Civil Service is the single largest group of employers in the territory. Our range of jobs is enormous, from the mundane to the exciting. Everyone of us has a role to play in the smooth running of our community. That role can only be effectively discharged if we maintain public trust in the Government.
In his inaugural policy address last October, the Chief Executive affirmed the commitment of the Civil Service to serve the community through the proper exercise of its powers and the faithful discharge of its responsibilities. The responsive Government which he described needs a Civil Service which adheres to a set of shared values. These values can best be summed up in six key principles:
(a) commitment to the rule of law;
(b) honesty and integrity above private interests;
(c) accountability and openness in decision-making and in all our actions;
(d) political neutrality in conducting our official duties;
(e) impartiality in the execution of public functions; and
(f) dedication and diligence in serving the community.
These are the core values which bind the Civil Service together and which contribute to the success of Hong Kong. As we build the Special Administrative Region into a free, civilised, prosperous, and attractive home for an increasing population in the 21st century, we must adhere strictly to these core values.
Challenges Ahead
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Similar to the experience of many governments elsewhere, our Civil Service faces immense pressure for change. The public expects more and better services; the legislature demands more accountability; the media demands greater transparency.
We have already made enormous strides in response to these pressures. We have delegated authority to departments, streamlined procedures and practices, and brought operational decision-making as close to the point of service delivery as possible. We are also stepping up
staff training, promoting a quality service culture, and putting in place result-oriented management practices.
At the same time, the Civil Service has learned to work together with an increasingly proactive legislature, subject ourselves to vigorous monitoring by independent watchdog bodies such as the Ombudsman's Office, opened ourselves up to a free and aggressive media, and enhanced our transparency through the promulgation of the Code of Access to Information.
In order that these efforts can achieve their maximum impact we must at the same time advance the fundamental values of integrity and honesty within the service.
Maintaining Integrity in the Civil Service
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As you all know, there continues to be worries about corruption and cronyism in the conduct of public
business amongst both the local and overseas communities. Whilst most people's assessment of the situation, eleven months after the handover is "so far so good", we must remain ever vigilant and fully committed to keeping corruption at bay. For there are those who question our resolve, perhaps even amongst civil servants themselves.
Upholding integrity in the Civil Service means much more than simple compliance with the letter of Civil Service Regulations and circulars. It means embedding a culture of probity in your organisations. It means internalising the values of honesty in your staff. It means incorporating checks and balances into your service systems to prevent and deter abuses. Above all it means Heads of departments and your senior managers setting a good personal example in your every day conduct and practising what you preach. It means having the courage of your convictions and speaking up when things are not right. I expect you all to make it clear to your staff that when it comes to integrity and honesty, there can be no compromise.
We have with us today two distinguished guest speakers from outside the Government : Mr Lim Siong-guan from the Singapore Government, and Professor Kuan Hsin-chi from the Chinese University. The standard of integrity of the Singapore Civil Service is world renowned. We look forward to sharing Mr Lim's experience and expertise. Professor Kuan is of course no stranger to us. As a reputable academic and researcher in public administration, his views will undoubtedly be enlightening. I hope your discussions during the course of the day will be stimulating and will inspire you all to do more in this vital area of work.
Thank you.
End/Thursday, May 21, 1998
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Photo: The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, delivers the opening remarks at the seminar "Hong Kong into the 21st Century - Maintaining Integrity in the Civil Service" co-organised by the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Civil Service Bureau.
