Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today officiated at the launch ceremony for a civil service staff exchange and collaboration programme in Shenzhen.

The first batch of 10 Hong Kong civil servants began a three-month exchange in Shenzhen today under the programme jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Mainland municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Yeung said the Hong Kong SAR Government attaches great importance to the training and exchange on the Mainland for Hong Kong civil servants, which can deepen their understanding of the national policy directions, development trends, and history and culture, so as to solidify their sense of national identity and patriotism.

She added Hong Kong civil servants can also exchange insights with their counterparts in Mainland cities, with a view to applying the exposure and experience to their work in the future, and contributing to the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".

Mrs Yeung also pointed out that the development of the GBA is a significant national strategy, and Hong Kong's civil service plays a crucial role in promoting its development. Therefore, the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government signed the Agreement on Civil Service Staff Exchange & Collaboration Programme with the Mainland municipalities in the GBA in September to establish exchange activities.

In her speech, Mrs Yeung thanked the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council as well as the HKMAO of the Guangdong Provincial Government and the HKMAO of the Shenzhen Municipal Government for supporting the programme.

She noted the exchange will enable Hong Kong civil servants to have a deeper understanding of Shenzhen's development, thereby better complementing the GBA's development strategy.

The 10 participating Hong Kong civil servants from eight departments and grades are assigned to different government departments in Futian and Qianhai to engage in in-depth exchanges in areas such as district management, technology development, town planning, transportation and environmental protection.