John Lee Meets Shen Yiqin to Discuss Women and Family Development Initiatives in Hong Kong

2026-03-31 19:28 Last Updated At：19:38

CE meets State Councillor Ms Shen Yiqin

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with State Councillor, Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council and President of the All-China Women's Federation, Ms Shen Yiqin, at Government House today (March 31). The Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the meeting.

Mr Lee welcomed Ms Shen and her delegation to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Family and Women Development Summit, and applauded her guidance. He said that Ms Shen's support reflects the importance the country attaches to women's affairs and family building in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Mr Lee said that the hosting of the Summit is a concrete action by Hong Kong to actively promote women and family affairs, and the extensive participation of various sectors of the community demonstrates Hong Kong's strong cohesiveness in advancing the cause. He said that the current-term HKSAR Government has rolled out a series of innovative policies and measures on women's development and family building, including the establishment of the Women Empowerment Fund, the launch of the "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme that matches female university students with women leader mentors, the implementation of the Funding Scheme on the Promotion of Family Education, the organisation of the Hong Kong Excellent Family Awards and more. These initiatives have laid a solid foundation for the work on women's development and family building in Hong Kong while nurturing a new generation of women's power.

Mr Lee said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly sets out its support for the promotion of gender equality and the all-round development of women, as well as the importance of dedicating efforts in upholding good family values and strengthening family building, family education and family virtues. These demonstrate the country's strong commitment to the development of women and family affairs, and provide an important guide for the HKSAR in planning its work on family and women's affairs. Hong Kong will proactively take forward the relevant work and strengthen planning efforts on family development with a view to promoting good family virtues, advancing the diversified development of women and fostering social harmony.

Mr Lee said that Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of being closely connected to both the Mainland and the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. Hong Kong will continue to play its bridging role in promoting exchanges and co-operation between the country and the international community in women and family affairs, and make greater contributions to the national development and on the international stage.

Revamped 'Hong Kong Story' Exhibition Launches at Museum, Showcasing City's Diverse Historical Narratives

Hong Kong Museum of History launches "Hong Kong Story" permanent exhibition

The Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH) is staging the revamped permanent exhibition "Hong Kong Story" from tomorrow (April 1), which is a milestone in the second phase of the renovation of the permanent exhibition of the museum. The revamped exhibition has moved away from a single narrative approach, combining historical chronology with thematic curation, enabling visitors to understand Hong Kong's history from multiple perspectives through different exhibition themes. While telling the local story, the revamped exhibition also places greater emphasis on Hong Kong's role as a "hub", highlighting its shared roots with the motherland in historical development and its connections with the world as an international metropolis.

Framed around four core themes as curation context, namely "Roots of Culture", "East Meets West", "Coalition against Japanese Aggression", and "Hong Kong as a Global Metropolis", the exhibition, through 10 galleries, traces Hong Kong's development from prehistoric times to the present, showcasing over 2 800 precious exhibits, including artefacts, historic photos, videos and interactive multimedia installations.

"Roots of Culture" - Featuring Hong Kong's deep roots in the fertile soil of Chinese civilisation

At the beginning, the "Unity in Diversity in Chinese Civilisation" and "Historical Origins of Hong Kong" galleries lead visitors to trace Hong Kong's deep historical origins. One of the highlights, a national-grade prehistoric "yazhang" (ceremonial blade) unearthed on Lamma Island, is a powerful testament to the southward transmission of the Central Plains' ritual system and the pluralistic unity of Chinese civilisation. Invaluable artefacts unearthed from the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, ceramic remains from the Sacred Hill Site of the Song and Yuan dynasties, and Ming dynasty blue-and-white porcelain shards excavated at Penny's Bay together testify that Hong Kong has long been rooted in the fertile soil of Chinese civilisation, sharing a cultural lineage with the motherland since ancient times.

"East Meets West" - Presenting a distinctive society with Chinese–Western interaction

The next "Historical Changes" gallery takes visitors to a defining moment in Hong Kong's history. Standing before the Statue of Lin Zexu and the 1899 Sino-British Boundary Stone, visitors can keenly feel the historical upheaval brought about by the Opium War and the unequal treaties. The "Modern City" gallery shows the distinctive society of Hong Kong, shaped by East-West interaction while still grounded in Chinese cultural traditions. Highlight exhibits include a banknote issued in 1860 by Hong Kong's first note-issuing bank, the Oriental Bank Corporation, and a copy of China Daily, a newspaper established under the direct auspices of Dr Sun Yat-sen. The "Fusion of Chinese and Western Cultures" gallery reconstructs 1930s street scenes, including the double-decker tram, a tenement building scene, and a reconstructed scene of Shing Chai Tong Chinese Medicine Shop. Amid the charm of old architecture, it vividly recreates the distinctive social character and historical atmosphere of old Hong Kong, where Chinese and expatriates lived side by side, and old and new coexisted.

"Coalition Against Japanese Aggression" - Writing an immortal chapter of Hong Kong people fighting alongside the motherland

The "Hong Kong's Joint Resistance" gallery revisits Hong Kong's legendary wartime resistance. By showcasing the deeds of the Eighth Route Army Hong Kong Office and the China Defence League, the exhibition highlights the important role that Hong Kong played during the 14-year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The banner of "Loyalty, Courage, Sincerity, and Love" further allows visitors to appreciate the valiant efforts of the Hong Kong Battalion, led by the Communist Party of China, as they fought the Japanese invaders, rescued allies, and stood shoulder to shoulder with the motherland.

"Hong Kong as a Global Metropolis"- Depicting transformation and prosperity of the city

The galleries "Social Changes", "Life in the Metropolis" and "Economic Achievements" illustrate Hong Kong's transformation into an international metropolis. The exhibition meticulously reconstructs 1970s resettlement units, faithfully recreating the small and unpretentious living spaces of Hong Kong's grassroots residents. On the bustling neon-lit street, there are various scenes such as a cafe, a cinema, a newsstand, as well as the iconic mechanical flip board displaying flight information from the old Kai Tak Airport. Visitors can recall the city's memories of food, literature, film and television, pop music, as well as daily activities such as ball games, horse racing, and seaside entertainment. Iconic "Made in Hong Kong" products, such as Cabbage Patch Kids and vacuum flasks featuring motifs from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, stand as vivid emblems of the prosperity that marked Hong Kong's economic take-off.

At the conclusion of the exhibition, the "Walking with the Motherland" gallery features a "Moments in Focus" immersive presentation showcasing significant events, allowing visitors to witness Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the implementation of "one country, two systems", and a new chapter in its integration into the nation's overall development.

Admission is free. For details, please visit the website of the HKMH at hk.history.museum/en/web/mh/exhibition/Hong-Kong-Story-main.html.

John Lee Meets Shen Yiqin to Discuss Women and Family Development Initiatives in Hong Kong

HK

John Lee Meets Shen Yiqin to Discuss Women and Family Development Initiatives in Hong Kong

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