Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Governance and the Civil Service Bureau of the HKSAR government on Thursday signed a memorandum of co-operation to strengthen collaboration in training Hong Kong's civil servants.

Since 1999 the HKSAR Civil Service Bureau has commissioned the Academy, formerly known as the National School of Administration, to organize the Advanced National Studies Program in Beijing.

The program deepens participants' understanding of current policies and topical issues on the Chinese mainland and enhances networking between participants and mainland officials.

Eighteen classes have been organized for 350 directorate civil servants, according to HK's Civil Service Bureau.