Donald Tsang highlights value of civil service
( 2002-03-19 10:25 ) (8 )

Civil service is still one of the most precious assets of the Hong Kong community and cannot afford to be undermined, said Hong Kong Administrative Secretary Donald Tsang in Hong Kong Monday.

"The civil service has always provided stability, continuity, certainty, honesty and integrity. It still does," Tsang spoke to a luncheon meeting of The International Association of Lions Club District 303.

He pointed out it is unfair, as one commentator put it last week, to regard the civil service as the secret ingredient in the economic woes.

"Any examination of the facts will show that there are many different and complex factors which have contributed to the current economic situation," he said.

Tsang said that he cannot recall a time in his 35 years in public life when the spotlight was more searchingly focused on the civil service.

He said the civil service, which is expected to be held to account, expects criticism, but not those ill-judged and unsubstantiated criticisms of recent times.

Tsang stressed that Hong Kong must stick to the notion of an apolitical, professional, career civil service open to men and women of intellect, integrity, commitment and loyalty to the principles of collective responsibility and clean government.

"The civil service is one of the many systems preserved by the Basic Law and an important part of the foundation for maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability," Tsang said.