A total of 100 civil servants from 39 bureaux and departments, including colleagues from various professional and technical grades, disciplined services and general grades as well as Model Scale 1 grades, were awarded for their outstanding performance. Mr Nip commended that while the awardees held different positions and served in different areas, they shared a common commitment to excellence and quality service for the public, adding that they were role models in the civil service and deserved commendation.

Speaking at the Award Presentation Ceremony, Mr Nip said Hong Kong has been battered by social unrest, violent incidents and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 epidemic over the past year, putting the Government and society, as well as the civil service and the public under tremendous pressure. He said, “I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the civil servants who have not only remained steadfast in carrying out their duties, but are also willing to go the extra mile and complement each other in their concerted effort to serve the community”. As challenges are likely to remain in the years ahead, he encouraged civil servants to continue to work as a team and give unwavering support to the work of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Introduced in 2004, the SCS’s Commendation Award Scheme (the Scheme) aims to commend colleagues who have achieved outstanding performance continuously for at least five years. The Scheme has a meticulous selection process. All nominations from Permanent Secretaries or Heads of Departments/Grades are vetted by an award committee with final decision on the awardees’ list made by SCS.

Mrs Lam (second left) and Mr Nip (first left) shared the joy of the award recipients.