It is the responsibility of all civil servants to uphold the core values and standards of conduct including political neutrality, a Hong Kong official said in the Legislative Council Wednesday in Hong KOng.

Speaking on the principle of political neutrality of civil servants in response to a legislator's inquiry, Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph W P Wong said that the principle of political neutrality comprises several elements.

According to him, the civil service's political neutrality is built on its allegiance to the government. It is every civil servant's duty to be loyal to the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the principal officials, and it is their role to evaluate the implications of policy options and to tender clear and honest advice in the process of policy formulation.

Moreover, once a decision has been taken by the administration, civil servants should support and implement the decision fully and faithfully irrespective of their personal preferences and should not make known their own views in public, and civil servants

should assist the principal officials in explaining policy decisions and in gaining support of the Legislative Council and the public, the secretary said.

When discharging official duties or attending an activity in his official capacity, an official may publish an article or make a public speech using his post title with the permission of his department, Wong added.

The Civil Service Bureau issued a Circular No. 8/2002 in June 2002, which elucidates the principles and values that should be upheld by civil servants. The principles and values include the commitment to the rule of law, honesty and integrity, accountability for decisions and actions, political neutrality, impartiality in the execution of public functions, and dedication, professionalism and diligence in serving the community.