In the shadow of Beijing’s new security laws imposed on the Special Administrative Region, senior Government staff in Hong Kong have been reminded yet again that they must consider the mainland’s interests when executing policies in the city.
Minister in charge of the 180,000 public sector workers in Hong Kong, Patrick Nip Tak-kuen said the implementation of ‘one country, two systems’ could only be improved by looking at things from both a national and city perspective.
“The full name of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China — and Civil Servants of Hong Kong means the same as Civil Servants of the Government of the People’s Republic of China,” Mr Nip said.
Mr Nip also cited remarks made by Chinese President, Xi Jinping in 2017 that Hong Kong had been reintegrated into China’s national governance system since the city’s handover from British to Chinese rule.
However, he said that Mr Xi’s comments did not mean Hong Kong’s officers would also have to observe the mainland’s Public Service rules, which requires them to support the party and the thoughts and theories of its most senior leaders.
“Most frontline Civil Servants should not feel any impact [of the dual role] … because they deal with day-to-day services for Hong Kong people,” Mr Nip said.
“For middle-or-higher-level officials, or political appointees, the policies we make may be related to the country. We cannot only see it from the perspective of Hong Kong, without considering the perspectives of the country,” he said.
Helena Wong Pik-wan (pictured), of the opposition Democratic Party, accused Mr Nip of destroying the city’s established Public Service system.
However, Chair of the New People’s Party, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee agreed with Mr Nip’s explanations.
“There is no political neutrality, especially for senior Civil Servants. Public sector workers should never go against the Government’s policies,” Ms Ip said.
Hong Kong, 27 June 2020
