Civil Service Newsletter Issue 117

Explanation of WCAG 2.0 Level Double-A Conformance

Civil Service Bureau

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee Ka-chiu was pictured with the representative of the award-winning team and guests attending the ceremony. Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Patrick Li Pak-chuen (first left); the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Ms Maisie Cheng Mei-sze (second left); the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee (third left); the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan (fourth left); Legislative Council (LegCo) Member, Hon Martin Liao Cheung-kong (fifth left); the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing (sixth left); the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan Mo-po (seventh left); the representative of the Task Force cum the then Deputy Secretary for Security, Mrs Apollonia Liu Lee Ho-kei (eighth left); Mr John Lee Ka-chiu (centre) ; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (eighth right); the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam Ting-kwok, SC (seventh right); the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (sixth right); the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong Wai-lun (fifth right); LegCo Member, Hon Chan Hak-kan (fourth right); LegCo Member, Hon Dennis Leung Tsz-wing (third right); the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung Cheuk-man (second right); and the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk Hau-yip (first right).

The presentation ceremony of the new round of the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance was successfully held on 26 June 2024. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee Ka-chiu, presented an award certificate to the Task Force on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation in recognition of its outstanding performance.

The current-term Government launched the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance Scheme in 2023 to give recognition to meritorious and exemplary teams or individuals in the civil service, with a view to encouraging civil servants to continuously strive for excellence. It also aims to enable the public to have a better understanding of the Government's work and the excellence of the civil service. After thorough consideration by the Selection Committee and the Chief Executive, the Task Force on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation comprising the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Security Bureau (SB), and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) was awarded in the new round of the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance.

The Safeguarding National Security Bill was unanimously passed by the LegCo on 19 March this year and the Ordinance took effect on 23 March. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) accomplished the mission of legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law, fulfilling the constitutional responsibility and historic mission that Hong Kong had been waiting for 26 years, eight months and 19 days.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee Ka-chiu, praised the Task Force on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation for its remarkable work in his speech delivered at the presentation ceremony of the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance.

The Task Force did a significant amount of preparatory work for drawing up the legislative proposals, including in-depth studies and analyses of the laws on safeguarding national security of our country and overseas countries, the implementation experience and court judgments of the National Security Law and other legislation on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, etc. After that, the Task Force held nearly 30 consultation sessions to provide detailed briefings to various sectors of the community during the one-month public consultation period. After the end of the consultation period, the Task Force took less than a week to conduct a comprehensive analysis of over 13,000 submissions received, and introduced the finalised Chinese and English versions of the Bill to the LegCo for scrutiny nine days after the conclusion of the consultation period. During the scrutiny of the Bills Committee, the Task Force gave detailed replies to more than 1,000 questions raised by LegCo Members, and proposed 91 amendments after listening to and studying their views. In addition, in the face of malicious attacks and smears on Basic Law Article 23 legislation by external forces, the Task Force delivered prompt and cogent rebuttals every time to prevent the public from being misled by unfounded remarks.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the inter-departmental Task Force was highly efficient and professional, holding a strong belief in the necessity and urgency of enacting local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law, and that the sooner the enactment of the legislation the better. The Task Force had worked at full steam and with whole-hearted commitment, demonstrating the team's resolute determination in safeguarding national security and implementing the "one country, two systems" principle for the HKSAR to make glorious history.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee (second right), presented an award certificate to the representative of the Task Force cum the then Deputy Secretary for Security, Mrs Apollonia Liu (second left), accompanied by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (first right), and the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung (first left).

Mr Lee said, "The civil service is an integral part of the HKSAR’s governance system and the key to a capable government that can deliver results. As the expectations and demands of the community towards the Government have continuously grown, the entire civil service is facing more new challenges. They have to execute policies effectively and provide quality service, and shoulder the vital responsibilities of safeguarding national security and ensuring social stability at the same time. The award-winning team, the Task Force on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation, stood out from a crowd of nominations and is the role model for civil servants."

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, extended heartfelt congratulations to the Task Force for being awarded the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance. She said, "The Task Force's relentless hard work and concerted efforts in completing the historic mission of legislating for Article 23 of the Basic Law in a highly efficient and expeditious manner demonstrate the civil service's unwavering courage and determination to safeguard national security without fear of challenges. The Task Force is an outstanding example worthy of emulation by civil service colleagues."

The representative of the Task Force cum the then Deputy Secretary for Security, Mrs Apollonia Liu, expressed her deep honour and gratitude for the new round of Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance to be awarded to the Task Force. She said, "DoJ, SB and HKPF have all along been co-operating well in their respective roles and responsibilities in safeguarding national security: DoJ is responsible for handling the related legal work, drafting bills and providing legal advice; SB is the policy bureau responsible for laws on safeguarding national security; and HKPF is the principal law enforcement agency for laws on safeguarding national security. The smooth completion of legislation for Article 23 by the team hinged on the leadership of the Chief Executive and the support of the Central Authorities, the high quality and very efficient scrutiny by the LegCo, the full co-operation of relevant government departments and the support from various sectors of the community and members of the public who love the country and Hong Kong. Their support is the greatest recognition of our work."