Chapter II  

Steadfastly and Successfully Implement "One Country, Two Systems" and Strengthen Our Governance Systems

(A) Resolutely Implement the "One Country, Two Systems" Principle "One Country, Two Systems" Remains Unchanged

10. As President Xi Jinping pointed out, "One Country, Two Systems" possesses its distinctive institutional strengths and strong vitality, is a good system that sustains the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. It is a good system that facilitates endeavours to build China into a great country and achieve national rejuvenation, and it is a good system for ensuring peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit between different social systems. So we must stay committed to this cause.

11. We will continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. "One Country, Two Systems" is the best institutional arrangement for maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. The more firmly the "One Country" principle is upheld, the greater the strength the "Two Systems" will be unleashed.

12. Being a global metropolis, Hong Kong has remained an open, inclusive, safe and stable city underpinned by the rule of law since our return to the Motherland 28 years ago. With an ever-expanding influence internationally, Hong Kong is rated the world's freest economy, as well as an advanced and business-friendly city. These fully demonstrate the notable institutional strengths and great vitality of "One Country, Two Systems".

13. Hong Kong has solid backing from the Motherland, enjoying far-reaching opportunities brought by national development, from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative. Meanwhile, as an international city with its distinctive role of connecting to the rest of the world, Hong Kong also has infinite room for development.

14. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will, as always, maintain the constitutional order of the HKSAR as stipulated under the Constitution and the Basic Law, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems".

Safeguard National Security

15. The fundamental premise of "One Country, Two Systems" is to safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests of our nation.

16. Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law five years ago, we have overcome turmoil and unrest, and maintained safety and stability in our society. Hong Kong has transitioned from chaos to order and is now advancing from stability to prosperity. The HKSAR Government will continue to steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, while thoroughly adopting the Holistic Approach to National Security. We will remain vigilant at all times, prevent and mitigate risks, and ensure the long-term stability and safety of Hong Kong.

17. We will continue to enhance the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security, doing our utmost to ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, so as to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security.

18. The Government will spare no effort in promoting national security education. Since its opening a year ago, the National Security Exhibition Gallery has already attracted over one million visitors. More than 3 300 national security education district tutors have been trained to promote national security messages in the community.

Implement "Patriots Administering Hong Kong"

19. With the improved electoral system and district governance system of the HKSAR, the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" has been fully implemented. The HKSAR Government has held six important elections, including the recent Election Committee Subsector By-elections.

20. The HKSAR will devote all efforts in preparing for the general election for the eighth-term Legislative Council (LegCo) to be held on 7 December this year, ensuring that the election is conducted in a fair, just, honest, safe and orderly manner.

Improve Governance at District Level

21. As part of the reforms to improve district governance, the Government set up the Steering Committee on District Governance and the Task Force on District Governance in July 2023. They are chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration respectively, with the aim of strengthening co-ordination to address issues such as environmental hygiene, community beautification, facility development and community services more effectively.

22. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Home Affairs Department (HAD) will continue to lead District Councils (DCs), the "three district committees"¹ and Care Teams to proactively harness local strengths to foster compassion and vibrancy within the community.

(B) Patriotic Education

Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and in the World Anti-Fascist War

23. This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and in the World Anti-Fascist War. The HKSAR Government has organised a series of large-scale commemorative activities, including exhibitions, film screenings and library events, for the public to gain a deeper understanding of the spirit of unity and resilience displayed by Chinese people in the fight for peace. We will collaborate with Shenzhen to promote a new red educational route, under the theme of "Chinese Cultural Celebrity Rescue" history, so as to enhance understanding among people of Hong Kong and tourists of the history of the War of Resistance in Hong Kong.

24. We will comprehensively review and conduct restoration and protection work on historic sites relating to the participation of the Communist Party of China in the War of Resistance in various districts, with a view to integrating them into tourism routes and educational activities.
Promote Chinese Culture

25. The Government will give full play to the role of the Chinese Culture Promotion Office. This includes curating the Chinese Culture Festival and exhibitions of the General History of China series as signature projects, and spearheading the establishment of a museum to showcase the development and achievements of our country, as well as the Chinese Culture Experience Centre. The Office will also continue to launch a broad spectrum of community-oriented initiatives to promote Chinese culture.

Promote Activities and Facilities on Patriotic Education

26. The Government will promote patriotic education facilities in the Mainland, making them the patriotic education bases of the HKSAR to encourage more students and young people to visit.

27. We will establish close connection with patriotic groups to unite efforts in organising more patriotic education activities.

Strengthen Students' Affection for and Sense of Belonging to the Country

28. The Education Bureau (EDB) will integrate patriotic education into daily learning and teaching. We will popularise the "Love Our Home, Treasure Our Country" series of activities, continuously strengthen the Constitution and Basic Law Student Ambassadors Training Scheme, design itineraries for students to experience the founding history of our country, and conduct focus inspections on national education. We will also continue to provide professional development and activities for teachers and students that tie in with the updated national security education, promulgate the final version of the Values Education Curriculum Framework, and optimise the curriculum frameworks for the senior secondary Chinese History and History subjects.

(C) Further Enhance Governance

Establish the Heads of Department Accountability System

29. Since assuming office, I have been constantly taking forward reforms to build a "result-oriented" government. In the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025, Hong Kong ranked second globally in "Government efficiency", reflecting well on Hong Kong's civil servants being an outstanding team, and the reforms introduced by the current-term Government, alongside the concerted efforts of the civil service.

30. Nevertheless, given the large number of executive departments and officers in the Government, problems inevitably occur in individual departments. The causes behind them must be identified in good time and rectified to prevent them from undermining the overall trust that society places in the Government, and to avoid causing injustice to the overwhelming majority of our civil servants, who are dedicated to their duties.

31. I believe that effective management is of utmost importance. Senior civil servants are all responsible for management. I have therefore been considering ways to strengthen their sense of responsibility to enhance the overall management standard of the departments. After considerations, I believe that the most direct and effective way is to strengthen the accountability of the HoDs by clearly emphasising that HoDs are tasked to build a strong management team, and lead their senior civil servants to jointly manage staff and operation systems. While HoDs have always been responsible for the work of their departments, the Government has not yet institutionalised overall accountability. Establishing a Heads of Department Accountability System (the HoD Accountability System), therefore, is of critical significance. The details are as follows.

Aims

32. Establishing the HoD Accountability System has the following primary aims:

(i) To render the political accountability required of Secretaries of Department and Directors of Bureau in policy formulation, and the administrative accountability required of civil servants in implementing policy initiatives better articulated with each other, with clarification of their respective roles.

(ii) To drive HoDs to establish an effective management team and operating systems, eliminating bottlenecks and plugging shortfalls, improving workflow on an ongoing basis, and continuously enhancing departmental efficiency.

(iii) To identify the deficiencies whenever a problem occurs in a department, putting in place improvements, attributing responsibility to the appropriate parties, and taking administrative or disciplinary actions against those responsible in accordance with the civil service management regime. The consequences include warnings, reprimands, not being granted a salary increment, relegation in rank, reduction in salary, compulsory retirement and even dismissal.

The Investigation Mechanism

33. Investigations will be divided into two tiers, in accordance with the severity of the problems identified:

(i) Tier I: if the problems are of a general nature, the investigation should be taken up by the HoD concerned. They will be responsible for identifying the deficiencies of the department and putting in place improvements, taking forward administrative or disciplinary actions against the officers who have underperformed or engaged in misconduct in accordance with the civil service management regime.

(ii) Tier II: if a serious problem occurs in a department or the problem is widespread or a repetitive, systemic one, or there are indications that the HoD concerned is implicated in the problem, the investigation will be carried out by an investigation panel set up specifically under the HoD Accountability System. The panel will identify the deficiencies of the department and attribute responsibility to the appropriate parties. It should be independent from the Government, such that the investigation will be impartial and independent. It should be able to examine civil servants of all ranks to ensure that the investigation is thorough. It should be familiar with the general operation of the Government, to ensure that the investigation is completed efficiently. It should be a standing team to be called upon, ensuring its certainty and readiness.

Independent Panel of Investigation

34. To achieve the aforementioned aims, I will expand the existing functions of the Public Service Commission² to enable it to conduct investigations. Independent of the Government and in operation for many years, the commission is conversant with the management system of the civil service. Its current statutory functions include advising the Chief Executive on matters affecting the public service (including disciplinary cases of civil servants). The existing functions of the commission do not cover investigation. Extending its functions to include investigation, and inviting experts or government officials not related to the department being investigated to participate, can ensure both the independence and impartiality of the investigations concerned as well as the efficiency of the investigation, thereby achieving the four requirements set out in paragraph 33(ii).

35. The Government will make subsidiary legislation under the Public Service Commission Ordinance to implement the above proposal.

Activation Mechanism

36. When a situation as described in paragraph 33(ii) occurs in a department, the relevant Director of Bureau must report it to the Secretary of Department concerned. Upon obtaining the latter's agreement, the Director of Bureau should activate the Tier II independent investigation mechanism. The Secretary of Department concerned can also, on their own initiative, direct the relevant Director of Bureau to activate the investigation mechanism.

Strengthen the Performance Appraisal System for Civil Servants

37. The overall performance of civil servants is fundamental to the effectiveness of departments. A fair and honest assessment of staff performance can encourage good-performers to strive for excellence, and suitably handle staff who have under-performed or misconducted themselves. In this connection, establishing an effective performance appraisal system will help HoDs enhance the overall effectiveness of the departments, raise the morale of good performers, assist those with room for improvement to improve their capability, and handle the small number of staff involved in misconduct in a fair manner.

38. The Civil Service Bureau is tasked to conduct a study developing a more rigorous performance appraisal system that reflects and differentiates the performance levels of staff more effectively.

39. Apart from assessing the performance of senior civil servants (including HoDs) in accordance with the existing mechanism, Secretaries of Department and Directors of Bureau will need to supervise the senior civil servants under their charge to properly perform personnel management work for staff at all ranks, including performance appraisal, posting, promotion and discipline.

Set up an AI Efficacy Enhancement Team

40. The application of AI in the work of the Government can effectively enhance efficiency. The Census and Statistics Department, for example, has applied AI technology to examine trade data and retrieve financial information from the financial statements and announcements of thousands of listed companies for statistical compilation. This has resulted in an exponential surge in efficiency. The 1823 services also use AI technology to recognise automatically voice enquiries from members of the public, and help draft written responses, reducing about 30% of the processing time.

41. To further enhance the efficacy of the Government, I will set up an AI Efficacy Enhancement Team to co-ordinate and steer government departments to:

(i) Apply AI technology effectively to their work.

(ii) Explore process re-engineering to keep pace with the times.

(iii) Promote technological reform in departments to improve efficacy.

42. The team will be led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, with the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and the Commissioner for Digital Policy serving as the Deputy Leader and Secretary General respectively. The team will also invite a representative from the private sector to serve as another Deputy Leader, to bring in new perspectives and front-line market experience. The team will examine with government departments their need for reform, with priority given to departments with greater interface with the public. Departments may also initiate request to the team for prioritised assistance in enhancing their efficiency.

¹ Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees and District Fire Safety Committees.

² The Public Service Commission, consisting of a Chairman and two to eight members, is a statutory body established under the Public Service Commission Ordinance. Its functions include advising the Chief Executive regarding the public service and matters affecting the conduct and discipline of public officers; the Ordinance also empowers the Chief Executive in Council to make regulations.

(To be continued.)

Ends/Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:28

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