Speech by CE at International Women's Day Reception 2026 (with photos/video)
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at International Women's Day Reception 2026 today (March 8):
Allow me now to address our English-speaking friends. Today, we celebrate International Women's Day, a day of profound significance around the world. We are here this morning to honour the global contributions of women and to recognise the inspiring vision, leadership and resilience of women in our community.
Hong Kong women enrich different aspects of our society. Over the years, in so many ways, women have challenged prejudices, erased boundaries and embraced opportunities. And done so through remarkable achievements in government, business, the professions, academia, the arts, innovation, family life, and so much more. Women are a powerful source of energy for social progress, women's talent and determination are essential to Hong Kong's continuing success.
Last October, China, our country, hosted the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing. The international gathering brought together leaders and experts from around the world to advance gender equality and the cause of women everywhere. At the Meeting, President Xi Jinping noted 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".
Our country has long championed women's development, upholding gender equality as a fundamental policy priority. With the nation's support and a widening global vision, women in the Hong Kong SAR have been able to pursue their dreams and realise their full potential.
The Government has worked closely with the Women's Commission to expand opportunities for women. One of our flagship events, held in 2024, was the inaugural Family and Women Development Summit.
The second Summit will take place this month, on March 31. And I look forward to the enthusiastic participation of our partners across the community.
I've just shared in Cantonese about four traditional Chinese silk fabrics and how they resemble the qualities of Hong Kong women. Each fabric has its own character: one represents clarity and poise with which you balance family and career; another symbolises inclusive spirit, bringing people together and building consensus.
A third embodies resilience, soft yet unbreakable in the face of challenges. And the last captures women's confidence and grace as you represent Hong Kong on the world stage.
These four fabrics - clarity, inclusivity, resilience, and grace - are woven into the daily lives of women here in Hong Kong. They are the threads of women's character. And my hope, ladies, is that you will continue to illuminate every corner of this city with that same remarkable spirit.
I wish you all an inspiring International Women's Day, and continued happiness, health and success. Thank you!
Speech by CE at International Women's Day Reception 2026 (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at International Women's Day Reception 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)
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
