Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 Celebrates Ordinary Heroes Making Extraordinary Contributions

Speech by CE at 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 (with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 today (December 3):

Ms Catherine So (Chief Executive Officer of the South China Morning Post),Mr Daryl Ng (Deputy Chairman of the Sino Group),Mr Paulo Pong (Chairperson of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards Judging Panel),Spirit of Hong Kong Awards judges and nominators,awardees and finalists, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I'm delighted to be here, once again, for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, the 12th edition.

Tonight's awards are unlike most prize ceremonies. This evening, we pay tribute not to the most celebrated or gifted at one thing or another - not to research or creative excellence in a given category - however much we certainly need, and count on, such remarkable individuals.

The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards honours those who exemplify Hong Kong's can-do spirit. The winners and finalists with us this evening, are not, for the most part, celebrities. They are ordinary people, doing extraordinary things. And doing them for the people of Hong Kong.

We have been particularly blessed with such people this year - everyday individuals, imbued with the spirit of altruism and civic pride. Nominations, I'm pleased to say, have more than tripled for this year's Awards.

The individuals behind the nominations are helping so many Hong Kong people, in so many ways. They make a profound difference in areas ranging from health, education, employment and the environment, to charities, community service, art, sports, culture and more. Much more.

We are proud that these remarkable individuals - all of you - call Hong Kong home. We are grateful, too, to be inspired by you, and happy today to honour you.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong, as you all know, is now ushering in a new era of transformation. We are witnessing changes in modes of business, in economic activities, in the social ladder, and in the dynamics of the lives of the people of Hong Kong, day in, day out.

In times like this, we look to selfless individuals to step up, to make a difference for their neighbours, and the greater community. For all of Hong Kong.

To all our winners and nominees, you are role models for Hong Kong. I count on you to continue spreading your positive impact in society. I am confident that with your spirit, the spirit of Hong Kong, there is nothing Hong Kong can't accomplish - for our economy, for our community. For each other.

I am grateful to the organisers of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, the South China Morning Post and the Sino Group. My thanks, too, to this year's prestigious panel of judges, whose selfless efforts reflect the spirit of Hong Kong.

My congratulations to the winners and finalists in this year's 10 categories. My thanks, as well, to the Hong Kong public, which voted for the Lion Rock People's Choice Award.

Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will treasure this special evening. And I wish everyone a new year full of the spirit of Hong Kong.

Thank you.

Speech by CE at 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GREEN@COMMUNITY has taken over recycling service of waste plastics

​The "Pilot Scheme on Collection and Recycling Services of Plastic Recyclable Materials" (Pilot Scheme) of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) concluded yesterday (January 18). The collection service of waste plastics in all 18 districts of Hong Kong has been taken over by the operators of GREEN@COMMUNITY.

A spokesman for the EPD said: "After the conclusion of the Pilot Scheme, the recycling service of plastics has been handed over to the GREEN@COMMUNITY recycling network in the respective districts, and the door-to-door collection service of waste plastics provided by the GREEN@COMMUNITY operators to relevant housing estates has also been successfully extended across the territory. The EPD conducted site inspections across districts yesterday and today (January 19) and found that the situation of plastic recycling of residents and housing estates is in order and the operation of GREEN@COMMUNITY recycling stations is generally smooth. The department did not receive any complaint regarding collection service of waste plastics from the relevant housing estates, nor were there any cases observed of certain types of waste plastics not being collected or left unattended. The EPD will continue to monitor the situation."

"After the taking over of waste plastic collection services by GREEN@COMMUNITY, the operators may pass the collected plastics freely to any EPD-approved recyclers for handling, from merely the three designated recyclers under the Pilot Scheme to the current 10 downstream recyclers for processing. The EPD is expediting the approval process and will gradually add more qualified downstream recyclers to the list, further opening up market competition to reduce the cost of collection and recycling of waste plastics," the spokesman added.

The EPD stressed that it will strive to ensure that the plastic collection services for housing estates will remain unaffected after the conclusion of the Pilot Scheme. GREEN@COMMUNITY operators will continue to liaise with the housing estates for more flexible collection services for plastics, as well as other recyclables, with a view to enhancing the cost-effectiveness.

The EPD will continue to strengthen collaboration with GREEN@COMMUNITY operators, downstream recyclers, and relevant housing estates to provide the required plastic recycling services, ensuring that the recycling situation of residents and housing estates remains as usual. The EPD will also step up monitoring of the work of downstream recyclers, including conducting more frequent spot checks, to ensure that all collected waste plastics are properly processed and converted from waste into valuable resources.