Tag Archives: China

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Decision on 2024-25 civil service pay adjustment

     The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) announced today (June 11) that the Chief Executive-in-Council (CE-in-Council) had decided to increase the pay for civil servants in the upper, middle and lower salary bands and the directorate at 3 per cent across the board for 2024-25 with retrospective effect from April 1, 2024.

     In arriving at this decision, the CE-in-Council has thoroughly considered the staff side’s response to the pay offers and other relevant factors under the established annual civil service pay adjustment mechanism, including the state of Hong Kong’s economy; the Government’s fiscal position; changes in the cost of living; the net pay trend indicators; and civil service morale.

     A CSB spokesman said, “In view of the Government’s current fiscal deficit, we need to be prudent in handling the civil service pay adjustment. In the meantime, the vacancy level in the civil service has climbed to 10 per cent under a tight labour market. Civil servants of all ranks have shouldered additional responsibilities. The economy has recorded actual growth with inflation over the past year. There were also pay rises in private organisations. After balancing all relevant factors, the CE-in-Council decided to increase the pay at the same rate of 3 per cent across the board.”

     The Government will submit the 2024-25 civil service pay adjustment proposal to the Legislative Council Finance Committee for consideration as soon as possible. read more

East Asia

Statement of Chief Justice of Court of Final Appeal

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     Chief Justice Andrew Cheung of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal makes the following further statement in response to Lord Sumption’s recent article published in the Financial Times on his resignation from the Court as Non-Permanent Judge:

1. The Chief Justice reiterates the Hong Kong Judiciary’s grateful acknowledgment of Lord Sumption’s past contribution to the work of the Court of Final Appeal.

2. The Judiciary does not comment on ongoing proceedings including possible appeals before the courts, nor on comments by others on them. It respects everyone’s right to have their views, but opinions voiced publicly could amount to pressure on or interference with the courts’ administration of justice and should be expressed, if at all, with the greatest circumspection.

3. Judges at every level are expected to and do adhere to the Judicial Oath to decide cases impartially and independently, in accordance with the law and evidence. Any suggestion that their decisions have been or may be influenced by extraneous considerations, political or otherwise, is a serious allegation that must be duly substantiated and should not be lightly made.

4. As in other jurisdictions, a tension often exists between protection of fundamental rights and safeguarding national security, both of which the Hong Kong Judiciary is firmly committed to doing. Striking the right balance in individual cases can be difficult and outcomes controversial at times. It is one thing to disagree with a court’s decision, but it is quite another to suggest that fundamental rights have been compromised because of political concerns.

5. Court decisions are subject to appeal in accordance with applicable procedures. The Chief Justice has every confidence that the Court of Appeal and the Court of Final Appeal will continue to act with integrity and professionalism in handling any appeals. read more

East Asia

SCST to visit Hanoi

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, will depart for Hanoi, Vietnam in the afternoon today (June 11). He will call on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and meet with senior officials. … read more

East Asia