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The Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung , today (June 12) attended the Immigration Service passing-out parade held at the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development (ISITD) in Tuen Mun.
"Always keeping abreast of the times, striving for innovation and actively promoting the 'customer-oriented' culture, the Immigration Department provides excellent services to the public and tourists," Mr Wong said.
"As an international trading, transportation and tourist hub and also a premier gateway to the Mainland, the workload of all the control points are extremely heavy. In 2006, the passenger flow marked a new record of more than 200 million, representing a rise of more than 100% as compared to a decade ago. Immigration officers need to remain vigilant and judicious to provide efficient and effective immigration control service to large number of tourists and to play a good 'gatekeeping' role," he said.
"Upon arrival in Hong Kong from overseas, the friendly smiles of immigration officers give people a feeling of returning home. To those first-time visitors, the professionalism and efficiency displayed by an immigration officer give them a remarkable first impression of Hong Kong."
The department has also made best use of information technology to provide more convenient and efficient service to the public. Since 2003, the department has issued Smart Identity Cards to Hong Kong residents and implemented the Automated Clearance Systems, also known as e-channels. The e-channels and Smart Identity Card System have been well received by the public and won worldwide acclaim.
Another strenuous but meaningful duty of the department is to provide assistance to local residents in distress outside Hong Kong. Immigration officers have gone to many different places to provide timely assistance with professionalism and care to panic-sticken Hong Kong residents.
Today, there were 94 passing-out officers, including 11 immigration officers and 83 immigration assistants.
Ends/Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:51
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