JC Project MuSE Launched: Empowering Hong Kong's Youth with Music and Sports Education

Speech by CS at Launch Ceremony of JC Project MuSE (with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Launch Ceremony of the JC Project MuSE today (April 17):

Mr Michael Lee (Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. It is my great pleasure to join you tonight for the launch of the JC Project MuSE.

Let me start by congratulating the Hong Kong Jockey Club on its 140th anniversary. For over a century, the Club has played a major role in Hong Kong's growth. It has supported our city through good times and challenges, always standing strong as a pillar of progress.

Since 1993, the Club's charity arm, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, has worked tirelessly to improve lives, support communities, and shape our city's cultural landscape.

I am pleased to know that the Trust has just committed $1.4 billion to support youth development initiatives, including two strategic collaborations with our Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB).

The first project is the enhanced HYAB JC Scheme for Youth Life Planning. The Scheme supports NGOs, in collaboration with secondary schools, in organising life planning activities to help students better understand career pathways and opportunities arising from national development.

The second project will turn part of the Youth Square into a new interactive space where young people can gather, exchange ideas, develop their potential and participate in different activities.

Look around Hong Kong, and you will see the Trust's work. From helping to build the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, to revitalising heritage treasures such as Tai Kwun and conserving traditions like the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, the Trust's donations have inspired creativity, preserved heritage, and empowered generations.

These efforts align perfectly with the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government's mission to build an inclusive, creative, and vibrant Hong Kong, where arts and culture drive social progress and happiness for everyone.

Initiated and funded by the Trust, the JC Project MuSE continues this vision. Through cross-sector partnerships, the project offers free, high-quality, and tailored music and sports education programmes to over 10 000 underprivileged primary students, empowering them with diverse learning experiences and fostering whole-person development. A big thank you to the Trust for nurturing Hong Kong's young talent!

The initiative shares the Government's strategic focus on helping those most in need. Through collaboration between the Government, the business sector, and the community, the current-term Government has launched various targeted poverty alleviation projects.

One example is the Strive and Rise Programme. Thanks to the continuous support from enterprises and organisations, including the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Programme is now in its third cohort, with a total of over 10 000 secondary school participants from underprivileged families.

We have also implemented the School-based After School Care Service Scheme for primary students in need since 2023, providing them with care and learning support at school outside school hours, thereby relieving pressure on parents and enabling them to take up jobs.

Tonight's concert celebrates Hong Kong's musical spirit. You will hear performances by our promising young students, including Strive and Rise Programme mentees who are just beginning their musical journey, as well as world-famous artists. I am sure you will enjoy their performances this evening.

To everyone here tonight, thank you for supporting this meaningful cause. Let's continue working together to build a brighter future for Hong Kong.

I wish you all a wonderful evening filled with music, joy and inspiration. Thank you very much.

Speech by CS at Launch Ceremony of JC Project MuSE Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CS at Launch Ceremony of JC Project MuSE Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CS at Launch Ceremony of JC Project MuSE Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government strongly condemns US senators' despicable attempt to intimidate HKSAR personnel safeguarding national security

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (May 17) strongly condemned those United States (US) senators who requested a review, through a so-called "bill", of including a number of judges, and prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DoJ), in a so-called list of "sanctions" in an attempt to intimidate the HKSAR personnel concerned who safeguard national security.

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "It is clear that safeguarding national security falls within the internal affairs of a sovereign jurisdiction, so the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) is free from any intervention. However, those US politicians insist on turning a blind eye to all these facts, and even clamour for so-called 'sanctions' against the HKSAR personnel and judges who dutifully safeguard national security. The HKSAR despises any so-called 'sanctions' and shall never be intimidated. It shall continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security. The HKSAR Government strongly urges the US politicians concerned to discern facts from fallacies, and immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs."

The spokesman pointed out, "Nearly five years having passed since the implementation of the HKNSL, the HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The DoJ of the HKSAR is in charge of criminal prosecutions under Article 63 of the Basic Law, with all its prosecutorial decisions made on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws."

"The Judiciary of the HKSAR exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing. The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws. Cases will never be handled any differently owing to the professions, political beliefs or backgrounds of the persons involved. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offence before a defendant may be convicted by the court."

"The judicial system of the HKSAR has always been highly regarded by international communities. Any attempt by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the HKSAR by means of political power is a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of the HKSAR. Making any statement with the intent to interfere with or obstruct the course of justice, or engaging in conduct with the same intent, is very likely to constitute the offence of criminal contempt of court or the offence of perverting the course of justice."

The spokesman reiterated, "The HKSAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to this top priority of the 'one country, two systems' principle. The HKSAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems'."