Recruitment standard for civil servants will not be lowered despite higher vacancy rate

The government will not lower the recruitment standard for civil servants despite a higher vacancy rate, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan said.

Speaking in Beijing during a study trip with more than 20 senior civil servants, Yeung said she believes the vacancy rate will drop in the second half of this year as more university graduates would join the job market.

Facing a vacancy rate of over 9 percent, she said the authorities have been striving to fill the vacancies.

"But we will not lower our requirements because of the vacancies as we need a quality civil service," Yeung said.

She added that director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong, affirms upholding the quality of civil servants during their meeting on Monday.

Xia urged the senior government officials, who have important roles to play in the SAR administration, to give full support to the Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu by being bold, innovative and fearless, Yeung said.

"In the future, we will actively conduct people-oriented practical work and set a good example for other civil servants, and firmly love our country and Hong Kong and live up to the expectations of our country," she said.

The group first visited the Museum of the Chinese Communist Party, learned of the development of national security and China manned space program.

HKMAO deputy director Wang Linggui gave a talk on Chinese-style modernization, explaining the country's process from the founding of the PRC to the 20th National Congress.

Yeung said they obtained a deeper understanding on the important policies and development strategies, which will help to formulate, implement and integrate in the future for the country's overall development.

Regarding the bill on patriotic education, which was submitted to the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Yeung said the Civil Servant College has been attaching great importance to cultivating civil servants who are loyal to the country and the SAR.

"We will also continue the training in enhancing civil servants' understanding of national development and important policies in the future."

The group continued to Zhejiang Province yesterday to learn about the practical experience of grassroots governance and common prosperity, balancing between ecological conservation and economic development and preparations for the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games.

Yeung encouraged civil servants at different levels to study in the mainland and to conduct exchange programs and seminars within their related departments.