The Civil Service College today held the fifth 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, on the topic of Protocol Affairs, was delivered via video-conferencing by the ministry's Protocol Department Deputy Director-General Li Xiang.

Addressing the talk, Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip said Hong Kong is an international city and the Hong Kong SAR Government maintains close contact and co-operation in various areas with countries all over the world.

He noted that this results in many opportunities for civil servants to come across foreign organisations and officials and attend formal functions.

“It is necessary for them to acquire deeper understanding of protocol matters and the concept of protocol affairs, so as to enhance their capacity in handling external affairs and to act in better concert with the country's overall approach.”

About 270 civil servants in the directorate and senior ranks took part in today's talk online.