Immigration boss leaves, a gentleman to the very core

Retiring director of immigration Au Ka-wang attended the passing out parade for the last time yesterday.

Au, who took the top job in July 2020, will have his 57-year-old birthday on Monday, reaching the retirement age of directorate-level disciplined officers.

Au officiated at the passing-out parade at the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development in Tuen Mun, reviewing 189 officers, including 28 immigration officers and 161 immigration assistants.

He said he had witnessed the department grow substantially in his time and thanked colleagues who have worked with him over his 35 years of service.

"Colleagues have been upholding their mission, embracing the spirit of 'providing people-oriented services and striving for excellence,' and making continuous improvements in the light of changing circumstances so as to respond actively to aspirations from the people of Hong Kong, and to safeguard the prosperity and stability of the country and Hong Kong," he said.

Au also quoted a Chinese saying, "as heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman constantly strive for self-perfection; as Earth's condition is ever receptive, so must a gentleman foster virtue and be broad-minded to embrace all things," which was aimed at encouraging graduates to be courageous and determined to shoulder their duty without fear of hardship or sacrifice.

He also expected graduates on parade to pass on the department's tradition, serving Hong Kong and contributing to the country wholeheartedly.

A guard of honor first assembled to form a sailing ship, then a dynamic rudder during the foot drill performance, symbolizing the department's concerted and unwavering efforts at all levels to pursue excellence.

They then joined the parade to form a varied pattern, including the Chinese characters for national security, demonstrating the department's determination to remain on the frontline in this regard.

Au, who joined the department in 1988, was promoted to chief immigration officer in 2009, assistant principal immigration officer in 2014, and principal immigration officer a year after in 2015.

In 2018, he was promoted to assistant director and became deputy director in 2019.

Au is also a member of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security.

Following his retirement, reported by The Standard on Tuesday, deputy director Benson Kwok Joon-fung gets the top job, sources said.