Dear Colleagues,

Goodbye and Thank You

It has been more than five years since I took up office as Secretary for the Civil Service in August 2000.  Over the last five and a half years, the civil service has risen to many unprecedented challenges, which include helping the Government cope with the budget deficit, supporting the implementation of the accountability system, combating SARS and ensuring the successful conclusion of the recent WTO Sixth Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong.  All these bear testimony to the fact that our world-class civil service remains the cornerstone underpinning the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

In my first letter to colleagues after assuming the role of Secretary for the Civil Service, I pointed out that it was our duty to implement the various initiatives under the Civil Service Reform.  I know that some colleagues have reservations about or even hold opposing views to some of the initiatives, especially those concerning pay and benefits.  At the same time, some in the community express the view that the pace and depth of our reform measures are not adequate to cope with the rapid changes of our society.  Nonetheless, with the support and cooperation of colleagues, we have made notable achievements over the past five and a half years.  For instance, we have reduced the size of the civil service establishment by 17% from the peak of 198 000 posts in 2000 to 164 000 posts today.  Civil service-related recurrent expenditure (including remuneration and pension) has been reduced from $71.3 billion in 2001/02 to $65.3 billion in 2005/06; and during the same period, the civil service-related recurrent expenditure as a proportion of Government's overall recurrent expenditure has also decreased from 36% to 31%.
 
Despite considerable reduction in manpower and expenditure, our civil service continues to make steady progress in integrity management and operational efficiency, winning the recognition of both the local and the international communities. 

On integrity, corruption reports involving the government sector received by the Independent Commission Against Corruption have decreased by 33% from 1 732 cases in 2000 to 1 161 cases in 2005.  In addition, according to the Global Corruption Barometer released by the Transparency International in 2005, Hong Kong is one of only six economies (out of 69 economies in total) where a majority of respondents think that the level of corruption has dropped over the past three years. 

On efficiency, while our civil service continues to be highly acclaimed by the local community, we also ranked first in terms of government efficiency according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2005 released by the International Institute for Management Development.  Furthermore, a report issued by the World Bank in 2005 indicated that our Government Effectiveness Index has been improving since 2000. 

I mention all these to remind every colleague that your commitment and contribution are by no means fruitless and you should take pride in your achievements. 

The past five and a half years has been the most memorable period in my Government career spanning more than 30 years.  During my tenure as Secretary for the Civil Service, apart from coping with the heavy workload, I have enjoyed making altogether 183 visits to various government departments.  These visits have given me first-hand knowledge of the difficulties and challenges encountered by colleagues from different grades, as well as the esprit de corps displayed by the entire civil service.
 
This will be the last time I write to you in my capacity as Secretary for the Civil Service and I like to share with you some of my personal feelings.  Over the past five years, our civil service has faced unprecedented challenges.  On my part, I have learned through work and strived to do better following each setback.  In a way, this is an experience shared by all the people of Hong Kong, who have displayed strength and resilience in times of adversity.  I have discharged my duty to assist the Government in carrying out the Civil Service Reform, and the job has not been pleasing at times.  But I firmly believe that the relevant measures we implement are in the interests of both the civil service and the community at large. 

Before I leave my present post, may I express my heartfelt thanks to civil service colleagues for your understanding and support.  I have full confidence that I can continue to count on your unfailing support in my new appointment.

Once again, I thank each one of you, especially colleagues who have worked with me side by side in the Civil Service Bureau.

Yours sincerely,

(Joseph W P Wong)
Secretary for the Civil Service