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Following is the letter issued by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph WP Wong, to all colleagues today (December 5) on the "Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2005":
Dear colleagues,
The award presentation ceremony for the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2005 was held on December 2, 2005 at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The ceremony was attended by more than 1,000 civil service colleagues. Highlights of the ceremony, including congratulatory messages from the Chief Executive and prominent local dignitaries, were broadcast on TVB Jade the following evening.
In his congratulatory message, the Chief Executive stressed the need for civil servants to rise to the challenge of ever-increasing public demand through enhancing their services. He also paid tribute to various departments and civil servants for achieving this goal by strengthening inter-departmental cooperation, and by adopting proactive and innovative measures to improve service delivery.
This message was echoed by Dr Victor Fung Kwok-king, Chairman of the Airport Authority, who commended the civil service for the "vital role" they play in "maintaining Hong Kong's long-term competitiveness in the international arena". Dr Leong Che-hung, member of the Executive Council, also complimented civil servants for their "dedication", "perseverance" and "selflessness" in providing services to the public.
The pursuit of excellence and a customer-oriented service culture have become part of the defining characteristics of the civil service in Hong Kong. I hope the recognition that has been accorded to the sterling efforts put in by the award-winning departments and teams will inspire each and every member of the civil service to do even better in the years to come.
For those of you who missed the TV programme on December 3, 2005, highlights of the award presentation ceremony are available on RTHK's website at http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/tv/civilserviceaward/20051203.html.
Mr Wong's letter has been uploaded onto the Civil Service Bureau website at http://www.csb.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, December 5, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:15
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