SCS signs third staff exchange agreement between Hong Kong and Shanghai

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, today (February 24) signed the third agreement for the exchange of civil servants between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Shanghai Municipal Government.

The agreement was signed by Miss Yue and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Shanghai, Mr Li Mingjun, at a ceremony held in Hong Kong.

Under the agreement, about three to five civil servants from each side will be attached to the government of the other side for four to eight weeks each year from 2009 to 2010. The staff exchange programme aims to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise. It also fosters a better understanding and closer partnership between Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The first staff exchange agreement between Hong Kong and Shanghai was signed in July 2002. A total of 36 departments of Hong Kong and Shanghai and 57 middle or senior ranking civil servants were involved in the programme from 2002 to 2008.

The scope of exchange has been very extensive, including construction, city planning, environmental protection, landscaping, transportation, port administration, public housing, public health, food safety, water supplies, public security, information technology, education and civil service management etc.

The programme has achieved its objectives in enhancing partnership and communication which still continue between the two sides after the exchange period. Apart from Shanghai, the HKSAR Government has made similar exchange arrangements with civil servants in Guangdong, Beijing and Hangzhou.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009