Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, held a gathering at Victoria House today (March 22) with the third-term Partners' Board under the Strive and Rise Programme and some 200 guests who have been actively involved in the Programme, sharing the Programme's fruitful achievements since its implementation.
Click to Gallery
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speaking at the gathering, Mr Chan remarked that, thanks to the close tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector, and the community, the Programme has steadily advanced into the third cohort. To date, the cumulative number of mentees exceeds 10 000. He expressed gratitude to the Programme's Partners' Board, star mentors, supporting organisations, and mentors for their selfless dedication to helping the mentees unleash their potential and set goals for the future.
Mr Chan mentioned that 4 000 mentees had been admitted to the third cohort of the Programme and that the matching of mentors and mentees had been completed. Mentees, their parents, and mentors have been attending orientation sessions and training courses since January this year. About 380 enterprises and organisations offered enthusiastic support to the third cohort, including nominating a sufficient number of mentors, raising about $18.6 million in donation and providing a wide range of group activities, study tours, diversified learning opportunities, and internship programmes.
Mr Chan also said that, in addition to continuing the enhanced measures adopted for the second cohort of the Programme, the third cohort of the Programme focuses on strengthening the support for mentors and further encouraging youth leaders of the Strive and Rise Alumni Club to organise more activities for self-development, maintaining the Programme's spirit and sustaining its effectiveness. A newly-developed mobile application for the Programme has also been launched to facilitate mentor-mentee communication, featuring functions such as signing up for group activities, arranging meetings, and submitting mentees' personal development plans.
With the launch of the third cohort of the Programme, the third-term Partners' Board has also been officially established. Membership includes the Chief Secretary for Administration as Chairperson and comprises members who are representatives from relevant government departments and strategic partners who provide continuous key support for the Programme (see the list in the Annex). Regular meetings will be held for the Government to report on the Programme's progress and to tap into the collective wisdom of the members to enhance the Programme.
Furthermore, outstanding leaders from various professions continue to be star mentors for the third cohort of the Programme, and 20 new star mentors have also joined the line-up. They will share their experiences and insights in their respective areas of expertise with the mentees (see the list on the designated website: www.striveandrise.gov.hk/en).
Participants in the gathering shared their experiences and gains from the Programme. Mentors said that with the resources allocated by the business sector, various innovative activities were organised to enrich the mentees' learning profiles and broaden their exposures. In addition, mentors shared how to effectively support their mentees, especially those who are shy or have special educational needs, in building trusting relationships and guiding them to develop a positive outlook on life.
Mr Chan emphasised that joint efforts of all sectors are pivotal for driving societal progress. He said that through the powerful synergy of the Government, the business sector, and the community, the Programme will continue to help uplift more underprivileged youths by broadening their horizons, reinforcing self-confidence, and developing a positive outlook on life.
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR Government strongly condemns BBC for unfounded report on Lai Chee-ying's health condition
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government yesterday (January 1) strongly condemned the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for the deliberate unfounded report on Lai Chee-ying's health condition in an attempt to fabricate facts to mislead the public by intentionally portraying Lai Chee-ying as a victim, with the aim of covering up his numerous wrongdoings and his conviction by the court.
Court's conviction verdict was entirely free from any political considerations
A spokesperson for the HKSAR Government said, "The court's reasons for verdict in Lai Chee-ying's case are 855 pages long, which are fully open for public inspection, and include the court's analysis of the relevant legal principles and evidence, as well as the reasons for convicting Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies in full detail. The court clearly pointed out in the reasons for verdict that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's conviction verdict is well-founded and reasoned, fully demonstrating that the court has made its decision on the case strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, free from any interference, and absolutely free of any political considerations.
"The court clearly pointed out that Lai Chee-ying's only intent, whether pre or post Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), was to seek the downfall of the Communist Party of China, even though the ultimate cost was the sacrifice of the interests of the people of the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR. Also, the court found that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind of the conspiracies charged in all three counts, and his actions show his deliberate intent to pursue these conspiracies, which constituted a threat and harm to the national security in the PRC and the HKSAR."
The spokesperson stressed, "Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable. Article 5 of the HKNSL and section 2 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that the principle of the rule of law shall be adhered to in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security. Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law."
Lai Chee-ying's health has been properly cared for
The spokesperson said, "The claims regarding Lai Chee-ying's health condition as reported by the BBC are false and extremely misleading. The HKSAR Government has pointed out time and again that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) handles the custodial arrangements for Lai Chee-ying in the same way as other persons-in-custody (PICs). The CSD attaches great importance to the safety and health of PICs. Regardless of the identities, ages and nationalities of PICs, the CSD is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy, which includes appropriate and timely medical support.
"The medical services received by Lai Chee-ying in custody are adequate and comprehensive. All correctional institutions have hospitals or sick bays staffed 24 hours a day by Medical Officers seconded from the Department of Health (DH) and correctional staff with professional nursing qualifications. Medical specialists from the Hospital Authority (HA) and the DH will visit correctional institutions on a regular basis to provide PICs with specialist consultation and treatment, including dental treatment. If PICs have dental health issues, the Medical Officer of the institution will refer them to dental specialists. In serious cases, PICs will be transferred immediately to a public hospital for treatment.
"During the public court hearing in August 2025, the senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying clearly presented to the court that Lai Chee-ying had all along been receiving appropriate treatment and care in prison. The correctional institutions had been arranging daily medical checkups for Lai Chee-ying and that there had been no complaints at all regarding the medical services he was receiving, and the Court also commended the CSD. Moreover, on the day the court handed down its verdict on December 15, 2025, the senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying stated, when responding to questions from the media, that everyone in the court could see clearly Lai Chee-ying's health condition.
"The CSD provided dental treatment for Lai Chee-ying in 2021 and 2022 based on his needs. Since then, Lai Chee-ying has had no dental health problems nor made any further requests for dental treatment. Separately, in 2025, Lai Chee-ying notified the CSD of problems with his nails, but he has since fully recovered after treatment with ointment prescribed by the Medical Officer of the institution, with no nail loss as alleged in the media reports. In August 2025, before the public hearing, the CSD arranged for Lai Chee-ying to wear a cardiac monitoring device and prescribed heart medication for his claimed heart palpitations, to be used as needed. Since then and up till the present moment, Lai Chee-ying has made no further complaints about his heart palpitations to the CSD. It must be stressed that the allegations made by Lai Chee-ying's daughter and relevant media reports, including those by the BBC, are completely baseless."
The spokesperson pointed out, "Certain individuals with ulterior motives, including Lai Chee-ying's family members and certain media, have ignored these facts and continue to spread lies and engage in despicable acts. Recently, Lai Chee-ying's daughter has repeatedly attempted to maliciously smear the HKSAR Government and the CSD, misleading the public to believing that Lai Chee-ying's detention and medical arrangements are poor. Their malicious intentions are obvious. The HKSAR Government strongly opposes and condemns such acts."
Source: AI-found images
