As a mainland European and Hong Kong resident for almost seven years, I think it is high time for me to publicly express my and my countrymen's appreciation of Hong Kong's civil service.
In all our dealings with the various departments, and notably with the Immigration Department, we have always been treated with the greatest courtesy and all its members of staff been most helpful, especially in cases of emergency or family problems, where efforts are always made to accommodate the applicant and expedite matters despite the staff's tremendously heavy workload.
As a registered freelance interpreter/translator, my services are sometimes requested in courts of law, police stations, etc, and praise should also be given to all officers: I have never found the humane touch wanting, not only vis-a-vis myself, but also - and more significantly - with regard to the persons being heard or interviewed.
Our own bureaucracies back home could and should learn some lessons from the Hong Kong one which gives its true meaning to the words 'civil servant', a point which I never fail to stress when talking about Hong Kong in Europe.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
