Oath-taking / Declaration Requirement for Civil Servants
It has consistently been the duty and responsibility of civil servants to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Basic Law”), bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”), be dedicated to their duties and be responsible to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“HKSAR Government”) under the Basic Law and the Civil Service Code. This has all along been what the Government and the society expect from and require of them. All civil servants should in no uncertain terms acknowledge and accept these duties.
It is also of relevance that Article 6 of “The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”, which was enacted and promulgated in Hong Kong on 30 June 2020 and came into effect at 11 p.m. on 30 June 2020, stipulates that “ [a] resident of the [HKSAR] who stands for election or assumes public office shall confirm in writing or take an oath to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in accordance with the law”.
The Civil Service Bureau issued a circular to all departments in October 2020 and another in January 2021, respectively requiring all civil servants joining the HKSAR Government on or after 1 July 2020 as well as all civil servants who joined the HKSAR Government before 1 July 2020 to declare that they will uphold the Basic Law, bear allegiance to the HKSAR, be dedicated to their duties and be responsible to the HKSAR Government. For civil servants appointed directly to senior positions such as Heads of Department, arrangements will be made for them to take an oath.
The requirement of oath-taking / declaration-signing by civil servants is an open acknowledgement of the acceptance and a genuine manifestation of the responsibilities of and expectations on civil servants. It also enables civil servants to have clearer awareness of the duties, responsibilities and requirements entailed by their official positions, thereby further safeguarding, strengthening and promoting the core values that must be upheld by civil servants, and ensuring in turn the effective governance of the HKSAR Government.
Content of the Oath / Declaration
I declare that, as a civil servant of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, I will uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, be dedicated to my duties and be responsible to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
FAQs
Related Links
- Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong website
- Basic Law website
- Civil Service Code
- Press release on "Requirement for civil servants appointed to civil service before July 1, 2020, to take oath or sign declaration" (15 January 2021)
- Press release on "New requirement for appointment to civil service on or after July 1" (12 October 2020)