Hong Kong Celebrates Second Reading for All Day with Read Together for Half an Hour Activities

LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day

This year's April 23 marks the second Hong Kong Reading for All Day. The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (April 23) collaborated with stakeholders to set up reading locations for "Read Together for Half an Hour" activities to promote reading among the public.

The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, attended the "Read Together for Half an Hour" activity at the Hong Kong Central Library to share her reading experience with the participating students, remarking that reading while broadening one's horizons is also life-enriching. She encouraged students to keep reading.

The HKPL also invited renowned online content creator SaiDorSi to explore the relationship between reading and creativity with the participating students.

"Read Together for Half an Hour" is one of the highlight activities of the Hong Kong Reading Week 2025 (HKRW). The LCSD provided a variety of books at different reading locations today, including the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Oil Street Art Space, the Hong Kong Railway Museum, Choi Hung Road Sports Centre, Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and individual public libraries, for public participation in reading together.

In addition, "Read Together for Half an Hour" activities were held today at 2025 Hong Kong Reading+ at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, as well as at individual community libraries and community centres. The HKPL, in collaboration with the Hans Andersen Club, also carried out the "Read together for Half an Hour" event and carnival at Lok Fu Place, featuring storytelling sessions, game booths and handicraft workshops. A reading area with selected books was set up to promote reading.

The HKRW is being held from April 19 to 27. Under the theme "Zoom/LIBRARY", the HKRW offers about 450 online and on-site events to encourage members of the public to develop the reading habit. Activities include fun days, sharing sessions, videos and audio clips in which celebrities share their reading experiences and more. QR codes for selected e-books are available at different government venues for easy public access.

All HKRW activities are free of charge, with seat reservations required for individual events. For details, please visit the website: www.hkpl.gov.hk/hkrw.

LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by S for S at media session on Lai Chee-ying case

Following are theremarksmadebytheSecretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a mediasession on the Lai Chee-ying case thisafternoon (December 15):

Reporter: Firstly, regarding the verdict of this case, does this mean the cases surrounding Apple Daily have officially concluded and there will be no more prosecution in this regard? Secondly, regarding this case attracting heavy international media and political attention, are you worried that this verdict will draw further international sanctions towards Hong Kong, particularly from US President Donald Trump? Thank you.

Secretary for Security: First of all, I do not comment on individual suspects or organisations. For whatever criminal cases, including those relating to national security, if we have evidence, we will arrest (those suspects). If we have sufficient evidence, we will prosecute (suspects). No one is above the law. Regarding the international concerns of this case, I think a lot of foreign consulate staff attending the trial throughout are the witnesses of how open and fair this trial is.

I think this illustrates these kinds of activities, happening in any country, if someone uses the media to try to overturn a regime, I think this is not bearable by every government. I think this case illustrates how safe Hong Kong is and how we are able to interdict all the national security concerns and all the attempts to affect the national security. I think this is a good showcase to show that Hong Kong is safe and it is safe to do investments in Hong Kong.

Reporter: How do you make sure today's verdict does not affect freedom of the press in Hong Kong?

Secretary for Security: First of all, the verdict states very clearly that this is nothing to do with the freedom of press in this case. It is solely because of Lai Chee-ying's utilising of Apple Daily as a platform to advocate his hatred against the Government and his plot to try to overturn our CPG's (Central People's Government) regime.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)