Press Release
Civil Service Branch Year End Review
In response to various media reports (7 January) on the
subject of localisation, a Civil Service Branch spokesman said today
that:
"As the acting Secretary for the Civil Service Mr.
Harbinson said yesterday, a review is being conducted on
the definitions used for local and overseas terms of
appointment. This review will need to consider factors
such as residential status and ties with Hong Kong.
Any changes which might be proposed as a result of this
review would relate solely to candidates' eligibility for
employment on local or overseas terms. The review is
expected to take several months.
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This review has no effect on qualifications for future
Principal Official posts as specified in the Joint
Declaration and the Basic Law. These posts may only be
filled by permanent residents of Chinese nationality
without foreign right of abode. As Mr. Harbinson also said
yesterday, Government is now developing the momentum of
localisation by developing a reservoir of local talent at
senior levels upon which to draw in future in order to fill
posts at the Principal Official level."