The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (April 1) met with the Chairman of the Legislative Council (LegCo) House Committee, Ms Starry Lee, and other LegCo Members at three briefing sessions and continued to explain the improvements to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s electoral system. He expressed the hope that LegCo Members would support the work on local legislation.

     Mr Cheung stressed that through improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" can be fully implemented; national sovereignty, security and development interests can be fully protected; and the HKSAR's constitutional order established according to the Constitution and the Basic Law can be fully safeguarded. It will also restore order from chaos and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems" and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

     He said he hoped that as the electoral system is improved, the executive authorities and the legislature could better interact and co-operate with each other, put aside differences for the common good of the community and develop a cordial, close and constructive working relationship, which will enhance the efficacy of governance.

     Mr Cheung said that the HKSAR Government would spare no efforts in taking forward the task in amending the relevant local electoral laws within a tight time frame, with a view to introducing a bill to the LegCo in mid-April and passing the bill by the end of May. He thanked the LegCo House Committee for setting up a subcommittee that would immediately transform into a bills committee to scrutinise the bill upon introduction of the bill by the HKSAR Government. 

     He said that he wished LegCo Members would support the work on local legislation and pass the bill as early as practicable.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (April 1), 13 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 11 108 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 664 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 214 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 124 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 20 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, among which nine patients are in critical condition, three are in serious condition and the remaining 112 patients are in stable condition.
 
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.
 
     Details of the above-mentioned patients are as follows:
 

     Following is the video speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the Opening Ceremony of CLP Power Engineering Laboratory this afternoon (April 1):
 
Tony (Chairman of the Vocational Training Council, Mr Tony Tai), William (Chairman of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, Mr William Mocatta), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to join you all to celebrate the official opening of the CLP Power Engineering Laboratory at the IVE (Haking Wong) Annex Building today.
 
     This new laboratory marks the wider co-operation of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) and CLP Power Hong Kong in cultivating new talents through the integration of smart technologies and collaborative research to support the development of the power engineering industry in Hong Kong and beyond.
 
     The Hong Kong SAR Government has accorded top priority to building a greener and livable low-carbon city in response to global climate change. Reducing carbon emissions is our primary goal. Indeed, Hong Kong is going further in deep decarbonisation, and we will strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. To this end, the Government will update "Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan" to set out more proactive strategies and measures to reduce carbon emissions.
 
     Electricity is our daily necessity, and forms an integral part of our low-carbon initiative and climate action plan. As the world is evolving towards greener and smarter living, cleaner power supply and smarter power grids have become more important and popular.  The Government is committed to promoting smart energy systems and energy conservation for our sustainable development.
 
     Green infrastructures with smart power supply are key to Hong Kong's gradual transformation into a world-class smart city. Smart grids which integrate information and communication technologies with the power generation and distribution network can help enhance energy efficiency, reliability and safety. As many new infrastructural projects are under construction, Hong Kong needs more new power engineering talents to help take forward the smart energy initiatives.
 
     On this note, let me express my sincere gratitude to the VTC and CLP for grooming skilled professionals for the smart development of the power engineering industry and society. This is a shining example of the collective efforts of academia and the industry.
 
     Furnished with equipment and systems of industry standard, the new laboratory provides an excellent environment for students to develop solid applied skills and embark on a career in power engineering. The Smart Grid Operation Centre of the lab is one of the first few institutional facilities in Hong Kong that are equipped with an advanced real-time digital simulator. The High-Voltage Training Centre is the only training site in Hong Kong to offer EMSD (Electrical and Mechanical Services Department)-accredited high-voltage training programmes to the public. Students can learn the latest power engineering technologies in a more immersive and interactive environment.
 
     I have no doubt that this new facility will provide students with an enriched learning experience and prepare them to embrace the digital future. I look forward to welcoming more young professionals to the industry to contribute to the betterment of Hong Kong. Together, we can build a brighter and greener future. Thank you.

     Following three briefing sessions yesterday (March 31), the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, together with the Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Ms Annie Choi; the Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Dr David Chung; and the Political Assistant to the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Ms Lillian Cheong, today (April 1) held another three briefing sessions for the innovation and technology (I&T) sector to solicit their support for the approval by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and its Voting Procedures.
 
     Mr Sit said that pooling I&T talent is closely related to a stable social environment. He strongly believes that improving the electoral system can accord with the actual situation of Hong Kong, and can better attend to the overall interests of Hong Kong society, thereby removing the obstacles to economic and social development and restoring peace to the city. It also creates a favourable environment for I&T development and drives the transformation of industries, making I&T a new impetus to promote economic development and improve people's livelihood. He will continue to engage the sector and listen to their opinions and strive for their full support for the Government's effort.
 
     Over 40 I&T-related organisations, including State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong, research and development centres, trade associations and societies attended the three briefing sessions today. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Dr George Lam; and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr Willy Lin, spoke to the media after a briefing session to show their support for improving the electoral system and the implementation of "patriots administering Hong Kong".

      

     A spokesman for the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) today (April 1) said that prospective applicants for civil service posts at the degree or professional level can apply from tomorrow (April 2) to sit the Common Recruitment Examination and Basic Law Test (CRE and BLT) in Hong Kong tentatively scheduled to be held on June 5 and 12, or another date within June if necessary.

     In the light of the evolving situation regarding COVID-19, the CSB will adjust the arrangements for the examination if the situation warrants and announce them on the CSB webpage. The spokesman reminded persons who wish to take the coming CRE and BLT to pay attention to the latest announcements.
 
     Precautionary measures will be taken to safeguard the health of candidates and invigilators, including setting up of body temperature screening at the designated location of the examination centres, requiring all candidates and invigilators to wear masks and widening the seat spacing among candidates, etc. If the situation warrants, the examination will be held on separate days to reduce the number of candidates in each examination centre to achieve social distancing.
 
     Valid CRE results are required of applicants for civil service posts at the degree or professional level, unless applicants possess equivalent results in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination or other specified public examinations (the relevant details are available on the CSB webpage). Persons interested in applying for civil service posts at the degree or professional level in the near future may wish to consider sitting the coming examination so as to be eligible to apply for these posts, which may become available before another CRE is held.
 
     In addition, applicants for civil service posts will be assessed on their Basic Law knowledge. The result of the BLT will be one of the considerations to assess the suitability of a candidate.
 
     Applicants for the coming CRE and BLT should be holders of a degree, or a qualification meeting the entry requirement on professional qualifications for civil service degree or professional posts, or university students who will have attained a degree in the 2020-21 academic year. Applicants may choose to take any of the CRE papers and/or the BLT paper in the coming examination.
 
     Persons interested in taking the examination may apply from tomorrow through the online application system on the CSB webpage at www.csb.gov.hk/eng/cre.html; or by using the CRE and BLT application form (CSB31 (3/2021)), which can be downloaded from the CSB webpage or obtained from any Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Home Affairs Department or Job Centre of the Labour Department. Applications must be made before 5pm on April 15 (Hong Kong time).
 
     More details about the coming CRE and BLT will be available on the CSB webpage (www.csb.gov.hk/eng/cre.html) from tomorrow. General enquiries may be directed to the Civil Service Examinations Unit by phone at 2537 6429 or by email to csbcseu@csb.gov.hk.