HONG KONG
The head of Hong Kong’s Public Service has instructed the Special Administrative Region’s Public Servants to ensure their private political views “do not come into conflict with their official duties”.
Joshua Law said Public Servants were required to abide by the Civil Service Code, which sets out core values “including the importance of rule of law, diligence and impartiality, as well as political neutrality”.
“All complaints and issues regarding Civil Servants’ behaviour will be followed up by their respective Departments,” Mr Law said.
Meanwhile, the city’s firefighters – long considered the most popular disciplined force – have come into conflict with police during the months-long protest movement.
In a recent incident, a firemen responded angrily when his fire engine received a direct hit with a tear gas canister.
The police officer who fired the canister apologised but moments later another officer accused the fireman of using foul language and, after a brief scuffle, pushed him against a wall. A journalist filming the incident was doused with pepper spray.
While that incident ended with both sides expressing “mutual understanding and respect”, it highlighted a growing rift in Hong Kong’s Public Service, with some protesters claiming the “heroic” firefighters as part of their movement.
An email circulating in Government Departments praised firefighters, claiming they were deliberately targeted by police, and stating that protesters have started chanting “firefighters resist” in the streets.
Hong Kong, 11 November, 2019
