The Civil Service Bureau issued a circular to all civil servants today promulgating the updated Civil Service Code.

The updated code clearly spells out the constitutional order of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the constitutional roles and responsibilities of civil servants as members of the executive authorities, and the core values and standards of conduct that civil servants should uphold.

In addition to noting that the Government completed the consultation on updating the code in January, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said that most of the views received supported updating the code.

She pointed out that having considered the views of various stakeholders, including civil service central consultative councils, staff unions and individual civil servants, the Government has finalised and promulgated the updated code.

As the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect in March, the Government has also set out the relevant parts in the updated code, Mrs Yeung added.

The updated code spells out the 12 core values that civil servants should uphold, including supporting the constitutional order and national security, people-oriented, passion for public service, dedication to duty, commitment to the rule of law, integrity, political neutrality, professionalism, team spirit, outcome-focused, accountability for performance, and confidentiality.

In addition, civil servants must follow the standards of conduct that conform to the updated code and meet the expectations of society.

With the updated code taking effect immediately, all civil servants and other government employees must observe the code.

Mrs Yeung stressed that the Government is committed to enhancing civil servants' awareness of national security and establishing a set of shared values and standards of conduct for the civil service.

“Following the promulgation of the updated code, we will commence promotion, explanatory and training works by phases, including inviting heads of departments to conduct sharing sessions, holding roving exhibitions at various government offices, and including the content of the updated code in the training for civil servants at various levels, in order to enhance civil servants’ understanding of the updated code.”

Click here for the update code.