SCS visits Census and Statistics Department (with photos)
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     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, today (July 29) visited the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) to learn more about the work of the Census Service Centre (CSC) and to show support for colleagues working at the centre.
 
    Mr Nip first met with the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Ms Marion Chan, to receive an update on the department's work regarding the 2021 Population Census, learning that many people had opted to complete the questionnaire online during the epidemic. He then visited the CSC to meet with colleagues working there to learn about their work including conducting telephone interviews, answering public enquiries and making appointments for face-to-face interviews.
 
     Mr Nip said he was pleased to learn that in order to assist ethnic minorities in completing the Census questionnaire, simultaneous interpretation (SI) services in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Nepali are put in place at the CSC for the Pakistanis, Indians and Nepalese people in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, service centres have also been set up in Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon City, Yuen Long, Kwai Tsing and Eastern District to provide SI services to people in need when being interviewed.
 
     "Conducted once every 10 years, the population census is a large-scale and important statistical exercise. It provides statistical information which is vital for the future development of Hong Kong. The data collected from the Census are useful to the Government for policy formulation as well as planning of social services and facilities, and others, both at the territory-wide level and the district level. The exercise involves thousands of civil servants and temporary staff who are making full efforts to complete their duties," Mr Nip said.
 
     "I am grateful to colleagues of the C&SD for their hard work as conducting a large-scale fieldwork operation under the epidemic requires their meticulous planning. I appeal to the public to support the work of the C&SD. I also hope that they will get vaccinated as soon as possible so as to protect themselves and others."
 
     For details about the 2021 Population Census, please visit www.census2021.gov.hk.

Ends/Thursday, July 29, 2021
Issued at HKT 14:55

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