All Hong Kong Public Servants employed from the beginning of this month will be required to swear allegiance in writing to the city and uphold its mini-constitution.
The rule will also apply to serving officers whose duties are deemed ‘crucial’ or ‘sensitive’.
The proposed requirements, which the Civil Service Bureau said aligned with the new National Security Law, will also cover all serving Public Servants recommended for promotion to a higher rank or a transfer to another grade.
The Government will also consider a mechanism to handle cases of non-compliance.
The proposals were unveiled after complaints were filed against scores of Public Servants for joining unlawful rallies or discrediting ruling principles amid the social unrest that roiled the city last year.
Spokesperson for the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, Ben Chan Han-pan (pictured), said it was a basic and reasonable requirement for all Public Servants to pledge allegiance.
“I urge the Government to give us a time frame for all Civil Servants to make such pledges,” he said, adding that it was inadequate to make the demands on only those sitting in key posts.
Secretary for the Civil Service, Patrick Nip Tak-kuen said authorities had “agreed in principle” that staff members of publicly funded institutions, including universities, schools and hospitals, should make similar pledges.
Mr Nip said the requirements were necessary in view of “acts against the Hong Kong and the Central Government” in the past, and warned against deeds and speeches that could be perceived as opposing the Government.
Hong Kong, 12 July 2020
