The Civil Service College was established today, marking a new milestone for training and development for the civil service. Chief Executive Carrie Lam officiated at the establishment ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Mrs Lam said that she would look to the college to strengthen training on the relationship between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the central authorities under the principle of "one country, two systems", the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law.

She noted that the enhancements in civil service training aims to reinforce civil servants' self-awareness of safeguarding national security, assist civil servants to better understand the country and its development, provide them with more training opportunities on positive values and attitude and cultivate the civil service as a team which is innovative and effective in communication.

She also said that as Hong Kong is embracing a new era and a new paradigm, she hopes that the civil service can display confidence and sustain professionalism in delivering services and that civil servants be proactive in taking forward their work and be united in leading Hong Kong to a better future.

Mrs Lam expressed gratitude to the staunch support from the central government and its offices in the Hong Kong SAR for the establishment of the college.

Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) Executive Deputy Director Zhang Xiaoming gave a video speech at the establishment ceremony, expressing the central government's support for the establishment of the college and the importance attached to civil service training in the Hong Kong SAR.

Mr Zhang said that the college should strive to nurture civil servants in their sense of patriotism, affection for the community, global horizons and strategic thinking.

He added that the civil service plays a critical role in achieving good administration and governance for Hong Kong and the college carries an important mission on this front.

The HKMAO will continue to provide strong support and assistance to Hong Kong in leveraging resources on the Mainland for civil service training.

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip said that he looked forward to nurturing more talent in governance for the accurate and full implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”, promote with full steam Hong Kong's integration into the national development and work together to build a better future for the city.

The establishment ceremony took place in the North Point Government Offices. The third to fifth floor of the premises were formerly the Civil Service Training & Development Institute. With training facilities renovated and enhanced, it will serve as the interim accommodation of the college.

The construction of the long-term accommodation of the college will be taken forward as part of the Kwun Tong Composite Development Project. Its construction works are expected to commence next year and be completed by phases beginning from the end of 2026.

The Chief Executive proposed to establish a civil service college in the 2017 Policy Address.

The Civil Service Bureau is conducting a recruitment exercise for the Head of the College.