Chief Executive Celebrates Unsung Heroes at 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards

Speech by CE at 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2025(with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2025 today (February 24):

Mr Joe Tsai (Chairman of the South China Morning Post (SCMP)), Ms Nikki Ng (Non-Executive Director of the Sino Group), Mr Paulo Pong (Chairperson of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards Judging Panel), Ms Tammy Tam (Publisher of the SCMP), Spirit of Hong Kong Awards judges and nominators, awardees and finalists, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. We are gathered here, once again, for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, now in its 13th edition.

On this evening, we honour remarkable individuals who live among us. They are ordinary people who, through their selfless and sometimes painstaking efforts, their optimism and firm determination, and their innovation and compassionate leadership, make an extraordinary difference for Hong Kong, our home. For all of us.

We call them "unsung heroes". But tonight, we are here to sing their praises, to thank them for their beautiful and boundless spirit – the guiding spirit of Hong Kong.

The Spirit of Hong Kong winners and finalists will be announced this evening, and from 10 categories. They range from the spirit of community and culture, to that of innovation and entrepreneurship; from perseverance to teamwork, youth and the Lion Rock People's Choice Award, chosen by the people of Hong Kong.

Our nominees and winners tonight are role models for Hong Kong – for each and every one of us, young and old. I am very grateful for your dedication to our community. We are immensely proud of you, as we are of Hong Kong. Our city. Our home.

And, as we put a deserving spotlight, tonight, on this inspiring group of Hong Kong people, it is also heartening to know that the Hong Kong community, as a whole, is united and committed to helping their fellow citizens in need, to contributing to the collective good of Hong Kong.

The spirit of mutual support, I'm glad to note, can be seen everywhere in Hong Kong. When our elderly feel lonely, scores of volunteers would deliver warm meals to them and offer companionship. When our young feel fragile, different NGOs would take them under their wing and nurse them to recovery. When our athletes compete on the world stage, the people of Hong Kong would stay up late just to cheer them on, supporting them no matter what the results will be.

Such is the quiet, persistent strength of Hong Kong - a community that uplifts one another not because it is asked, but because it is who we are. This is important to note because, after all, heroism takes many forms. And central to it, central to the spirit of Hong Kong, is dedication, resilience, empathy and, above all, unity.

My thanks to the organisers of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, the South China Morning Post and the Sino Group. My thanks, too, to the Awards' panel of judges, who come from a variety of professions and backgrounds.

Ladies and gentlemen, this special evening is about more than celebration. It is also about gratitude and renewal. It is about drawing strength from those who have given so much to society, and committing ourselves to carry forward the spirit they embody.

And I wish to join you here to welcome the Year of the Horse, let's stride along with renewed purpose, and the enduring spirit of Hong Kong.

Enjoy the evening. Thank you very much.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2025 today (February 24). Photo shows Mr Lee (first row, 11th left); the Chairman of the South China Morning Post, Mr Joe Tsai (first row, ninth left); Non-Executive Director of the Sino Group, Ms Nikki Ng (first row, 13th left); the Chairperson of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards Judging Panel, Mr Paulo Pong (first row, 12th left); the Publisher of the South China Morning Post, Ms Tammy Tam (first row, eighth left), with the finalists and other guests at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2025 today (February 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Proposed road works at Ma Tau Wai Road and Lok Shan Road in To Kwa Wan gazetted

The Government gazetted today (September 11) the proposed road works at Ma Tau Wai Road and Lok Shan Road in To Kwa Wan to facilitate a redevelopment project of the Urban Renewal Authority.

Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plan and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,

G/F, Harbour Building,

38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

Kowloon City Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,

LG/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,

42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon

District Lands Office, Kowloon West,

4/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices,

11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon

The gazette notice, scheme, plan and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.

Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

A notice of objection should describe the objector’s interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than November 10, 2026.

Source: AI-found images