Hong Kong Celebrates International Women's Day 2026 with Reception Led by Chief Executive John Lee

Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and Women's Commission celebrate International Women's Day 2026 (with photos/video)

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and his wife, Mrs Janet Lee, today (March 8) officiated at a reception to celebrate International Women's Day 2026 hosted by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Women's Commission (WoC).

The reception was attended by members of the WoC, representatives from women's groups, non-governmental organisations and the local community. Thematic panels were set up at the venue to showcase the efforts of the current-term Government and the WoC in promoting women's development.

In his speech, Mr Lee cited the remarks made by President Xi Jinping at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing in 2025, stating that women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilisation, and the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women. Mr Lee said that, "with the nation's support and a widening global vision, women in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have been able to pursue their dreams and realise their full potential". He emphasised that women are a powerful source of energy for social progress, and that their talent and determination are essential to Hong Kong's continuing success.

He expressed gratitude for the hard work and contributions of women and, drawing on the qualities of four traditional Chinese silk fabrics, expressed his hope that women would continue to illuminate the city with their clarity, inclusivity, resilience, and grace.

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, said at the reception that the current-term Government attaches great importance to women's development. She noted that the HYAB has been working closely with the WoC to actively implement a range of initiatives. In recent years, these have included launching the Women Empowerment Fund, establishing the Women Affairs Team and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, organising the Hong Kong Family and Women Development Summit, launching the one-stop Family and Women Information Portal, and rolling out the "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme — all aimed at supporting women from different backgrounds in balancing both their careers and family.

Miss Mak said, "The HYAB will continue to take forward relevant work in response to the four proposals put forward by President Xi Jinping at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing in 2025 to jointly foster an enabling environment, jointly cultivate development momentum, jointly develop governance framework, and jointly promote collaboration between all parties, so as to create more opportunities for the high-quality development of the women's cause."

To carry forward and promote the spirit of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing, the HYAB will hold the second Hong Kong Family and Women Development Summit on March 31, under the theme "Shaping Women's Strengths and Harnessing a Shared Future for Families". The Summit will bring together stakeholders from across society to explore ways to further advance family and women development in Hong Kong.

Other officiating guests at the reception were Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Sun Shangwu; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Zhang Changwei; Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Mr Li Shuangzhou; Deputy Director of the liaison office of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Xie Zhixiang; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mrs Regina Ip; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; and the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs cum Vice-chairperson of the Women's Commission, Mr Patrick Li.

Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and Women's Commission celebrate International Women's Day 2026 (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and Women's Commission celebrate International Women's Day 2026 (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and Women's Commission celebrate International Women's Day 2026 (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police kick off fifth cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics

The Hong Kong Police Force today (March 7) launched the fifth cohort of the Leadership Institute on Narcotics (L.I.O.N.), a dedicated programme to nurture young anti-drug leaders.

Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, said that the abuse of etomidate in recent years has posed challenges to anti-drug efforts, reflecting the ever-changing drug scene. As such, the programme curriculum of L.I.O.N. must keep abreast of the times. In addition to training courses covering leadership skills, drug-related legal and medical knowledge, publicity and media response techniques, and adventure-based training, L.I.O.N. has also incorporated generative artificial intelligence training this year to equip mentees with skills to apply innovative technologies for creating impactful anti-drug projects. The Chinese Mainland exchange tour will also be extended to three days and two nights this year, enabling mentees to engage in in-depth exchanges in the Greater Bay Area and broaden their horizons.

He added that this year marks the fifth anniversary of L.I.O.N.’s establishment, and a series of large-scale promotional activities will be launched, including the “L.I.O.N.–mobile”, an anti-drug short video competition, and a large-scale anti-drug carnival, showcasing the creative achievements of mentees of the current and past cohorts, and further promoting a drug-free culture to the community.

Mr Chow expressed his appreciation to the Hong Kong Youth Development Alliance, executive committee members of the past cohorts, professional trainers, as well as school principals and teachers for their support and contributions to L.I.O.N.. He encouraged mentees of the new cohort to cherish every learning opportunity, and work together with all sectors to build a drug-free society.

At the ceremony, awardees from the fourth cohort shared their valuable insights from the exchange tour to New Zealand in February. They said that the trip deepened their understanding of how anti-drug messages were disseminated there through publicity, education and community involvement, which would help them continue to fulfill their mission as anti-drug leaders in the future.

Established by the Police Narcotics Bureau in 2021, L.I.O.N. brings together various community sectors and annually recruits 80 secondary students and 20 undergraduates as mentees. Through various training activities, visits, as well as exchange tours, L.I.O.N. nurtures young people as anti-drug leaders to disseminate anti-drug messages in the community.

Police kick off fifth cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police kick off fifth cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police kick off fifth cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police kick off fifth cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases