Features Upholding the Rule of Law 3-6 EDITORIAL BOARD Close up Philip Yung Wai-hung (Food and Health Bureau) An Age of Luxury: the Assyrians to Alexander 7-8 Eric Chan Sui-wai Smart City Smart Future 9-10 (Civil Service Bureau) Hong Kong embracing tomorrow’s technology today Suzanna Kong Departments join hands to combat climate change 11-14 (Civil Service Bureau) Hong Kong Police College 15-16 John Chan Kin-chung (Innovation and Technology Bureau) Exemplary Track Records in Professional Accreditation Glenis Liong Ka-yi Pensioners’ Corner (Information Services Department) Fiona Chan Siu-ling Lifelong dream, lifelong development 17-20 (Civil Service Bureau) Pensioners’ Outing 21 Jenny Wai Mei-chu (Civil Service Bureau) Pension increase 2018 21 Bessie Yee Lai-shan (Civil Service Bureau) Health Paul Arkwright (Freelance Editor) Working together to prevent non-communicable diseases 22 Integrity Address : Staff Relations Division, Civil Service Bureau, Be Careful When Taking Out Loans 23 6/F, West Wing, Exercise prudent fi nancial management Central Government Offi ces, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Information Hong Kong Fax no. : 2537 1112 Colleagues in 2018 Honours List 24 For enquiries about this Newsletter, Appointment of senior offi cials 25 please call 2810 3708. Website : http://www.csb.gov.hk Basic Law Civil Service Bureau Pensioner Services Unit enquiry no.: 2810 3850 Constitution of the People’s Republic of China 25 and the Basic Law (This Newsletter is also available at the Centre spread CSB website at http://www.csb.gov.hk) Published by the Civil Service Bureau. Celebrating the 21st Anniversary of the Establishment of 26 Printed by the Government Logistics Department. the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Printed on paper made from woodpulp derived from sustainable forests. Features Features Upholding the Rule of Law Civil Service Newsletter Editorial Board Ms Teresa Cheng, the Secretary for Justice, shares her journey and vision for maintaining and modernising the legal system in Hong Kong. Ms Teresa Cheng noted the crucial role that Department of Justice plays in encouraging everyone to follow the rule of law, practising it in their daily lives to manifest respect for it. Ms Teresa Cheng was appointed as Secretary Work in the Department of Justice for Justice (SJ) on 6 January 2018. A senior counsel Over the past eight months, Ms Cheng has and accomplished arbitrator, she brings with her already taken on numerous critical responsibilities a wealth of experience from her previous roles as in her role which fall into three broad categories Chairperson of the Financial Dispute Resolution of services provided by DoJ. She explained, “It is Centre and the Hong Kong International Arbitration the DoJ’s duty to provide honest, independent Centre as well as a Vice President of the International and professional advice to the Government on the Council of Commercial Arbitration. She was also one legality of its acts and its compliance with the laws. of the founders and Chairman of the Asian Academy It is the Government’s function to formulate policies of International Law, a Vice President of the ICC for the good of the community as a whole. Some International Court of Arbitration and the fi rst Asian policies can be implemented within the existing legal woman as President of the Chartered Institute of framework while others may necessitate new laws Arbitrators. She shares her vision in championing to be enacted. The Government must abide by the Hong Kong’s legal system and promoting the law in this process.” arbitration services internationally. Core values The core value underpinning the Department of Justice (DoJ) is the rule of law and Ms Cheng’s role as SJ is critical in upholding this core value. She said, “Law exists in practice. It should not only be practised by the lawyers, the judges and the Government but must also be observed and respected by all persons in Hong Kong. We, as members of the community in Hong Kong, are very proud and fortunate to be in a society that is committed to the rule of law. All of us should bear the responsibility to respect, promote During her visit to the United States this July, Ms Teresa Cheng and further the rule of law as a fundamental basis of delivered a keynote speech at the Society of International Economic our society.” Law Biennial Conference. 3 Features Features The second category relates to DoJ’s function as The third category of DoJ’s work involves legal adviser and representative for the Government interaction with the community. Ms Cheng said, (hence our involvement in private as well as public “In order to uphold the rule of law and avoid any law claims, including judicial reviews) and as the injustice, we cannot comment on any specifi c on- prosecutorial authority for the HKSAR. Ms Cheng going cases. However, we have taken proactive steps explained, “As far as prosecution is concerned, DoJ in interacting with the public. DoJ has launched several has a completely independent function. Decisions to initiatives such as ‘Prosecution Week’ and ‘Meet the prosecute or not must be based on an objective and Community’. These events help us better reach out to professional assessment of the available evidence the public, present legal updates in layman’s terms and and the law without being affected by any outside foster better public understanding of how to operate interference. This is not just guaranteed in the Basic within the boundaries of the law. Recently, to enhance Law but it is something we practise every single transparency of the legal system of Hong Kong, we day.” Ms Cheng continued, “We have made the have also shared summaries of some of the more prosecution policy and practice transparent by important cases in Hong Kong on our website, making posting the ‘Prosecution Code’ and ‘The Victims it easier for the public to obtain an overview of the of Crime Charter’ online. These give the public an cases while still being able to access the full judgment insight into how prosecutorial decisions are made should they wish.’’ “Further, I regularly meet with both and the steps that must be taken by DoJ. It is very branches of the legal profession : the Bar and the Law important that one does not just look at the decisions Society to exchange views and address any issues as of the court but should also consider the reasons and when they arise,” added Ms Cheng. behind the decision. Even if one feels aggrieved by a judgment and considers that the rationale behind is Key challenges wrong, an avenue of appeal is still available.” A major challenge faced by Ms Cheng is to ensure that the rule of law is observed, and to uphold a Concerning judicial reviews, Ms Cheng explained, legal system that is transparent, fair and respected. “Our role is to ensure that the Government conducts She said, “Hong Kong’s rule of law is very sound and its affairs in accordance with the law. If the court our judicial independence is extremely well-regarded fi nds that the Government has not acted in strict internationally. I have total respect for freedom of compliance with the law, we have to bear the expression. Yet, there are at times arbitrary and decision in mind and make appropriate changes to baseless remarks which may undermine our rule the policy or practice.” of law. The challenge for me is to put things into context. We strive to ensure that the public can be provided with all the facts around important cases so that views can be properly formed.” Ms Teresa Cheng (fourth right) visited the United States this July and spoke at a business luncheon in New York promoting Hong Kong as an ideal hub for deal making under “one country, two systems”. 4 Features Features A strong and independent Judiciary is the key to ensuring a sound legal system and justice in full accordance with the law. Referring to the Judiciary, Ms Cheng said, “Judges will very likely serve a longer tenure, meaning their retirement age may be extended. This, in my view, will benefi t and further reinforce our judicial system, because currently, the judicial minds are at their prime when they are about to retire. By keeping these legal minds in the system longer, we will be able to maintain the quality of our judicial system and judgments.” Arbitration and mediation Ms Teresa Cheng delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of With her immense experience in arbitration Prosecution Week 2018. and mediation, Ms Cheng has been applying her expertise to help maximise Hong Kong’s strength in this fi eld. She said, “We organised the Mediate First Pledge Event 2017 and Mediation Week 2018 Future legal developments to enhance public awareness of mediation and its Looking to the future, Ms Cheng shared her benefi ts. Domestically we promote the use and insights into new developments ahead for Hong understanding of mediation to the general public Kong’s legal system. “Concerning Hong Kong’s so as to assist them in resolving confl icts amicably position as a leading centre for international dispute and harmoniously. At an international level, we bring resolution, I can foresee digital enhancements being together experts in this area to share their experiences made in dispute resolution. For example, dispute on the latest global development on mediation.” resolution in the near future is likely to be conducted Ms Cheng supplemented, “One of the new initiatives via online platforms. Lawtech will become a key we are currently promoting is investment mediation. area of development.” She added, “In my opinion, Investment disputes arise from time to time in each Lawtech will also play a key role in litigation.