Chief Executive CY Leung met Hunan Governor Du Jiahao at Government House today.

Mr Du is in town to attend the Hunan (Hong Kong) Investment & Trade Promotion Week.

Mr Leung told him Hong Kong has a large pool of talent and rich management experience in the financial and service sectors, and can help Hunan attract investors.

He said economic ties between Hong Kong and the province have grown closer under the Hong Kong-Mainland Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA.

He said he hopes Hunan can continue to implement the various measures under CEPA so the two places can achieve mutually beneficial results.

Chief Executive CY Leung says a recent survey has shown Hong Kong people support a development project such as the planned North East New Territories New Development Area.

Speaking to the media today, Mr Leung said Chinese University yesterday unveiled a survey on people's opinion of Hong Kong’s land supply.

He said about 80% of respondents believe Hong Kong has a land-supply shortage and needs a development plan such as the North East New Territories New Development Area.

Mr Leung said the findings match the Government’s understanding of the issues, and therefore the administration will continue to increase land supply to resolve the housing, high property price and rent problems.

He also reiterated that the Government would handle the Edward Snowden case in accordance with Hong Kong’s law and established procedures.

Chief Executive CY Leung says the Government will handle the Edward Snowden case in strict accordance with Hong Kong’s law and established procedures, and the facts.

He made the statement to reporters today after attending a function at the Convention & Exhibition Centre.

He said the Government understands public concern over Hong Kong’s Internet security and will follow up on reports of incidents relating to the violation of privacy and other rights of people or institutions here.

When asked if Police have tried to contact Mr Snowden, Mr Leung said he could not disclose operational details, adding that it is established practice not to reveal unilaterally any information on communications between governments.

Chief Executive CY Leung says the Government will handle the Edward Snowden case in accordance with the law.

He issued the statement tonight, saying: "When the relevant mechanism is activated, the Government will handle the case of Mr Snowden in accordance with the laws and established procedures of Hong Kong.

"The Government will follow up on any incidents related to the privacy or other rights of institutions or people in Hong Kong being violated.”

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam today commended the Correctional Services Department’s achievements in providing correction and education services.

Speaking at the department's Staff Training Institute passing out parade, she said the department has placed dual but equal emphasis on correction and education.

Mrs Lam said the department has provided market-oriented vocational training for inmates to help them reintegrate into society after their release.

It has collaborated with the Construction Industry Council to offer timber formwork and bar bender and fixer skills courses at Tong Fuk and Tai Lam Correctional Institutions this year, she said, which will upgrade inmates’ employability.

Mrs Lam also commended the department's efforts to encourage inmates to quit smoking, which has had positive results at Tung Tau Correctional Institution. It was designated as the first "Smoke-free Penal Institution" in Hong Kong in January, she said.

More than 700 female inmates, representing two-thirds of Lo Wu Correctional Institution, took part in a programme to reduce food waste by reducing rice consumption.

As one of the signatories to the Food Wise Charter, Mrs Lam said the department plans to install food waste processors at penal institutions.

The department also invited 300 students from six secondary schools in April to attend the first Stanley Prison inmates' drama and music performance, promoting anti-crime awareness and supporting offender rehabilitation, she said.

In addition, the Oi Kwan Volunteer Group, comprised of the department's staff members, has dedicated itself to charitable activities over the years.

Secretary for the Civil Service Paul Tang today visited the Observatory to learn about its daily operation and the services it provides.

Observatory Director Shun Chi-ming briefed Mr Tang on the department's latest developments and its aviation weather services. Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service Raymond Wong accompanied him.

During a tour of the Central Forecasting Office, the Monitoring & Assessment Centre, and the TV studio, Mr Tang was briefed on the round-the-clock weather information, emergency incidents' contingency measures, and the procedure for circulating updated weather information during inclement weather.

Later Mr Tang toured the Earthquake Monitoring & Tsunami Warning Centre and was briefed on details of collecting and analysing real time data from seismological stations in Hong Kong and around the world.

Before concluding his visit, he met with staff representatives at a tea reception.

Chief Executive CY Leung met visiting Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Chairwoman Liu Hui today.

Mr Leung said that given its large pool of talent in various fields and rich experience in modern management, Hong Kong's service sector could support Ningxia's services development.

He hopes that more Ningxia enterprises would invest in Hong Kong or co-operate with Hong Kong enterprises to enhance corporate governance and speed up their internationalisation process.

The Registration & Electoral Office today released provisional registers of electors and omissions lists for public inspection until June 29, during business hours at the department's office at Harbour Centre in Wan Chai, and at District Offices.

About 3.47 million registered electors, up 3,000 compared to last year, are contained in the 2013 provisional register for geographical constituencies, with about 56,000 newly registered electors. The omissions list contains about 53,000 names of people who have passed away or have not reported their latest residential addresses when asked.

The functional constituencies - other than the District Council (second) functional constituency - provisional register contains about 238,000 electors, after taking into account about 1,000 newly registered electors and adding about 2,300 names onto the omissions list.

For the District Council (second) functional constituency, about 3.22 million registered electors are listed in the provisional register, with about 51,000 newly registered electors. A total of 50,000 names have been added to the omissions list.

The deadline for updating registration particulars, and for lodging claims or objections in person, is June 29. The office has received 100,000 applications so far. Forms can be downloaded here.

More information is available on the voter registration website.

Chief Executive CY Leung has urged Hong Kong people to work together to boost economic and political development to forge a better future.

Speaking to the media at the airport upon arrival from the US today, Mr Leung said the Government attaches great importance to promoting Hong Kong’s economic and political development.

While political development in Hong Kong will be pursued in accordance with the Basic Law, he said Hong Kong needs to gain from its economic growth to ease social problems, including housing, poverty, ageing and the environment.

He said his two-and-a-half day visit to New York was fruitful in promoting Hong Kong’s competitive edge to US firms, in helping them gain access to the bigger Mainland and Asian markets.

He said the Government will conduct a consultation on political reform at an appropriate time.

The Equal Opportunities Commission launched a smart phone application today, making public access to its information easier.

The app features an introduction to the commission and the four anti-discrimination ordinances.

It shows the commission's latest news, and includes a multimedia centre and a mini-game.

It is designed to cater for the special needs of different users, including the disabled.

The app is now available at the Apple App Store. A similar app for Android users will be launched later this year.

Meanwhile, the commission has also produced six videos with audio descriptions for visually-impaired people. They include five episodes of A Mission for Equal Opportunities and a winning entry from the commission’s short video competition.

Actions and scenes are verbally described in addition to the original sound effects and dialogues in these videos which are available on the EOC YouTube Channel.

Deputy Commissioner of Inland Revenue Wong Kuen-fai will succeed Chu Yam-yuen as Commissioner of Inland Revenue on June 20, while Winnie Ng will become Secretary General of the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service & Judicial Salaries & Conditions of Service.

Mr Chu will go on pre-retirement leave after almost 38 years of service.

The Civil Service Bureau announced the appointments today.

Secretary for the Civil Service Paul Tang said Mr Wong possesses extensive professional knowledge and experience in tax administration, and demonstrates good administrative and leadership skills.

"I am confident he will be able to lead the Inland Revenue Department to meet the challenges ahead and continue to deliver quality service to the community."

Mr Tang said Ms Ng is a seasoned Administrative Officer with a wealth of experience in public administration and proven leadership as well as management skills.

"I have confidence she will continue to serve the community with professionalism and dedication in her new capacity."

Mr Wong joined the Government as an Assistant Assessor in 1982. He was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Inland Revenue in 2008, and Deputy Commissioner in 2010.

Ms Ng joined the Administrative Service in 1994. She was District Officer (Central & Western) from 2008 to 2012. She was nominated by the Government to attend a one-year Master Programme at Harvard University from last June to last month.

Chief Executive CY Leung has concluded his three-day visit to New York, after a tour of the United Nations headquarters.

Earlier, Mr Leung met with business leaders from Hong Kong and the US at an opening session of the Hong Kong-United States Business Council plenary meeting.

He explained Hong Kong's unique role in linking the US to markets in the Mainland and across Asia, and updated participants on recent developments in Hong Kong which have enhanced its role as a gateway to the Mainland.

"We have secured the support of the National Development & Reform Commission to become more involved in implementing and formulating the next National Five-Year Plan, our country's development blueprint, which will be implemented in two and a half years."

Mr Leung said the Government has set up a joint working group with Mainland counterparts to improve the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement's implementation, and is working with Guangdong Province to achieve service trade liberalisation next year.

"The effective 'early and pilot measures' approach to cross-boundary business initiatives between Hong Kong and Guangdong will be expanded," he added.

As an international finance centre, Hong Kong is directly connected to capital markets in New York and other financial capitals around the world, also serving as China’s global financial centre, he said.

"In other words, we have a very high stake in, and huge commitment to, promoting international financial stability and smooth financial liberalisation in the Mainland of China," he said.

Mr Leung said Hong Kong always thrives on competition and it leaves its doors open. 

“This is why we are the freest economy in the world. My Government will be positive and proactive."

He said the Government cannot play the role of entrepreneurs, and so it wants to hear from businesses big and small, local and foreign. 

"We want to hear concrete proposals as to what the Hong Kong Government should do, to facilitate your efforts. We want to hear them direct. This is why we are in the US."

Mr Leung also attended an interview on Bloomberg Television and attended a lunch hosted by UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic & Social Affairs Wu Hongbo.

He will arrive in Hong Kong this evening.

Chief Executive CY Leung continued his official visit to New York today, promoting Hong Kong as a trading port at the "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" symposium held by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Mr Leung said the best route for US companies to reach the vibrant Chinese and Asian markets is not a straight line on a map, but through Hong Kong.

He said some companies know that a presence in Hong Kong is a ticket to the Chinese and Asian markets, and they know that if their products or services sell well in Hong Kong, they will also sell well throughout China, a market with 1.3 billion potential customers.

"In other words, our city is a very effective showcase for American goods and services targeting consumers in Asia - a Madison Avenue of the East!" he said. He also appealed to US businessmen to think of Hong Kong as the “Chief Information Officer” or “Chief Knowledge Officer” for Mainland China.

Mr Leung also attended a luncheon hosted by the National Committee on US - China Relations, and met Hong Kong people living in New York.

He also spoke at a dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in New York. He said Hong Kong serves as a super-connector between the world's two largest economies, the US and China, and is working to strengthen cross-boundary connectivity.

"Importantly, the HKSAR Government will be more involved in reviewing and formulating the National Five-Year Plans which serve as development blueprints for our country," he said.

He said foreign firms, including US companies, incorporated in Hong Kong enjoy the full benefits of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. 

"I have proposed enhancing the existing mechanism for the implementation of CEPA under a joint working group with our counterparts across the boundary. The working group will hold its first meeting this month."

Chief Executive CY Leung says his visit to the US has been useful and will open a new chapter for Hong Kong, New York and the US.

Speaking to media today in New York, Mr Leung said his numerous meetings with political leaders during the two and a half days he spent there have lifted the level of co-operation to a higher plane.

"We exchanged views on a series of issues of mutual interest including impact of climate change, for example the impact of rising sea level on our city management. We also talked about the development of our public transportation system and treatment and disposal of solid waste."

Mr Leung met with bodies such as the Asia Society and the National Committee on US-China Relations to discuss the role of Hong Kong in the development of Mainland China.

He visited the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and exchanged views with top financial services leaders in the country. He met its former Secretary, Robert Rubin, and discussed the state of the US economy, the world economy and the Chinese economy.

Yesterday he visited the New York City Economic Development Corporation, to discuss ways that the New York Corporation facilitates the development of the local economy. "And that would be in line with our position in Hong Kong, mainly the Government should take a more proactive position in facilitating the ongoing development of Hong Kong's economy."

Mr Leung also spoke at a dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in New York, attended by a delegation of over 200, including entrepreneurs and officials from Guangdong.

"Both the Hong Kong side and the US side place a great deal of emphasis on the potential of further co-operation between the two cities and by extension between Hong Kong and the United States."

Chief Executive CY Leung hailed the successful launch of the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft today, saying he looks forward to its victorious return.

He said the mission will break a number of records in the nation's space exploration history.

“Besides flying the longest time, the spacecraft will circumnavigate Tiangong-1 for the very first time. The second female astronaut of our country Wang Yaping will also give a lecture in space to a group of primary and secondary school students, which is the first time in history and is of symbolic significance," Mr Leung said.

He wished the nation's space programme every success.

The Acting Chief Executive in Council has decided the pay for the directorate and civil servants in the upper salary band should be increased by 2.55%, while that for the middle and lower salary bands should be increased by 3.92%, with retrospective effect from April 1.

The Civil Service Bureau said today the decision was made after considering the responses of the staff sides of the four civil service central consultative councils to the Government's pay offers.

The bureau said the Government has considered the net pay trend indicators derived from the pay trend survey, the state of Hong Kong's economy, changes in the cost of living, the Government's fiscal position, pay claims of the staff sides, and civil service morale.

The Legislative Council’s Finance Committee will discuss the 2013-14 civil service pay adjustment on July 5.

Acting Chief Executive Carrie Lam has refuted claims that the Government disregarded factors other than pay trend indicators when proposing civil service pay increases this year.

Speaking to the media today, she said the Government seriously considered other factors, including civil service morale, the economic situation, and changes in the cost of living.

She said she understands the disappointment expressed by some representatives of the pay trend survey committee, but hopes they reconsider their decision to withdraw, as the mechanism has been a long-established and effective one.

She promised to enhance communication between management and staff in future, to better respond to civil servants’ concerns on matters like manpower resources, work pressure, and welfare.

Civil service morale depends not only on pay adjustment, so an all-round approach should be adopted, she said, adding she believes civil servants of all levels will continue to help the work of the Chief Executive.

Chief Executive CY Leung started his first official visit to New York yesterday, meeting political, business and financial leaders, including the city’s mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Mr Leung spoke at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Hong Kong Association of New York on enhancing Hong Kong’s relations with the Mainland and with its global partners.

He then met New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth Pinsky, and discussed enhancing economic growth and development in both cities.

He later visited the New York Stock Exchange, where he met Chief Executive Officer Duncan Niederauer and rang the closing bell.

Speaking with Mr Bloomberg, he highlighted Hong Kong's unique role as a bridge to Mainland China. They discussed ways their two cities can work together to tackle climate change and other environmental issues.

Last night, Mr Leung spoke at a reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office for the opening of Hong Kong Movie Week at the New York Asian Film Festival.

He said the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with the Mainland has enabled filmmakers to team up with Hong Kong partners for groundbreaking co-productions accessing markets on the Mainland.

Mr Leung will continue his visit tomorrow, officiating at events and meeting with Hong Kong people living in New York.

The Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau said today the Government received 1,048 data requests under the Code on Access to Information in the first quarter of 2013.

The total number of requests received since the code’s introduction in March 1995 and up to the end of this March amounted to 36,844. Of these, 2,078 requests were subsequently withdrawn, 1,597 covered cases in which the agencies concerned did not have the information sought, and 87 requests were still being processed.

Of the 33,082 requests which covered information held by bureaus or departments and to which they had responded to, 32,303 requests were met, either in full (31,574) or in part (729), and 779 were refused.

The Ombudsman completed investigation of 15 complaint cases. Of these, two were substantiated, two were partially substantiated, seven were concluded and settled and two were withdrawn by the applicants. One investigation was discontinued, and another was not undertaken after considering the circumstances. 

The Chief Executive has reappointed the chairman and two members of the Advisory Committee on Post-office Employment for Former Chief Executives & Politically Appointed Officials, and appointed two new members.

Moses Cheng has been reappointed Chairman, and Prof Liu Pak-wai and Tim Lui have been reappointed as committee members.

The newly-appointed members are Teresa Cheng and Elaine Lo.

They will serve for two years from July 1.

The new appointments fill the roles of outgoing committee members Norman Leung and Elizabeth Shing, who have served for the past six years.

The committee sets criteria and gives advice on post-office employment or the appointment of former Chief Executives and other politically appointed officials.