Civil Service College holds third talk of series on country’s foreign affairs (with photo)

     The Civil Service College (CSC) today (March 31) held the third talk of the series on the country's foreign affairs jointly with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The talk, which was on the topic of the "South China Sea Issue", was delivered via video-conferencing by Deputy Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Mr Yang Renhuo. 
 
     Addressing the talk, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, "This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The implementation of the Declaration is of great and positive significance to safeguarding our country's sovereignty and rights and interests, upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea region, and enhancing mutual trust between our country and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Hong Kong has close ties with ASEAN. Acquiring a more comprehensive grasp and understanding of the "South China Sea Issue" will definitely enable civil servants to act in better concert with the country's overall approach in handling the relevant areas of work."
       
     The series on the country's foreign affairs, which started in January this year, involves monthly talks delivered by relevant officials of the MFA covering various topics. The series is a key training programme launched by the CSC for civil servants in the directorate and senior ranks.