China Begins 'Assimilation' of Hong Kong Officials... Temporary Mainland Deployment

Hong Kong Civil Service Bureau to Introduce Temporary Mainland Secondment Program for Civil Servants
Enhancing Understanding of 'One Country, Two Systems' and Cultivating Core Strength Among Hong Kong Patriots

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese authorities are reportedly considering a ‘Hong Kong Civil Servants Mainland Temporary Dispatch (Exchange) Program.’ It is interpreted as a kind of assimilation program aimed at increasing loyalty to the mainland. The Chinese government has previously obtained ‘loyalty pledges’ from Hong Kong civil servants.

According to Chinese media including the state-run Global Times on the 30th, the Hong Kong Civil Service Bureau is discussing with Chinese local governments a plan for Hong Kong civil servants to temporarily work in the mainland for a certain period.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Patrick Nip, Director of the Hong Kong Civil Service Bureau, said, "We discussed temporary dispatch work as part of strengthening civil servant training in the Hong Kong Legislative Council," adding, "Enhancing the ability to cope with difficult situations is necessary and urgent for Hong Kong civil servants."

Chinese authorities suspect that some civil servants participated in protests and riots during the 2019 Hong Kong Extradition Law Amendment Bill (Fugitive Offenders) protests.

Tian Peilong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Research Association, explained the purpose of the Hong Kong civil servants’ mainland temporary dispatch, saying, "Some Hong Kong civil servants are accustomed to the administration left from the colonial era, insist on procedural justice and bureaucratic procedures, and cannot make appropriate judgments in complex political situations." He added, "Temporary dispatch work will not only deepen understanding of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ but also enhance awareness of China’s constitution and political system."

Guangdong Province is reportedly the most likely location for the Hong Kong civil servants’ mainland temporary dispatch. Guangdong is geographically close to Hong Kong and is also the central area of the ‘Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau).’ Last year, the Chinese State Council unveiled a blueprint to develop Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau into China’s version of Silicon Valley.

The Global Times quoted experts saying that the civil servants’ temporary dispatch (exchange) program will help cultivate the core strength of patriots governing Hong Kong. It also reported that to enhance mutual understanding, temporary work by Chinese civil servants in Hong Kong should be conducted concurrently.

Meanwhile, since July last year, Chinese authorities have been (re)appointing civil servants only if they have pledged loyalty to the Hong Kong (China) government. The loyalty pledge includes compliance with the ‘Basic Law,’ which is Hong Kong’s constitutional document, loyalty to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, fulfilling responsibilities to the Hong Kong government, and dedication to duties.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.