IV.
After the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, public servants previousiv serving in Hong Kong in all government depart- ments, including the police department, and members of the judiciary may ail remam in employment and conunue their service with pay, allowances, benefits and conditions of service no less favourable than before. The Hong Kong Speciał „Administrative Region-Government-shall pay to such persons who...... retire or complete their contracts; as well as to those who have retired befork ▾ I July 1997, or to their dependants, ail pensions, gratuities, allowances.and". benefits due to them on terms no less favourable than before, and irrespective of ther nzuonality or place of residence.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government may employ British and other foreign nationals previously serving in the public service in Hong Kong, and may recrmt British and other foreign nationais holding permanent identity cards of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to serve as public servants at all levels, except as heads of major government departments (corresponding to branches or departments at Secretary level) including the police department, and as deputy heads of some of those departments. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government may also employ British and other foreign nationals as advisers to government departments and, when there is a need, may recruit qualified candidates from omide the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to professional and technical posts in government departments: The above shall be employed only- in their individual capacities andi, like other public servants, shall be responsibi ta.the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
This appointment and promotion. of public servants shall be on the basis of qualifications, experience and ability. Hong Kong's previous system of recruitment, employment, assessment, discipline, training and management for the public service (including special bodies for appointment, pay and conditions of.service) shall, save for any provisions providing privileged treatment. föt foreign nationais, be maintained..