SJ to lead cross-professional delegation to Xinjiang, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, will lead a cross-professional delegation comprising members of Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution sectors, as well as the financial and accounting sectors, to Xinjiang, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, tomorrow (August 23) to strengthen the exchange and co-operation among the legal and professional service sectors of Hong Kong and the three places, and to promote Hong Kong's advantage of connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world and the strength of its professional services.
Members of the delegation include the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, and around 40 representatives from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Invest Hong Kong, the Financial Services Development Council, the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, as well as local and international law firms and other related sectors.
On August 24, Mr Lam will attend the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Common Law and Dispute Resolution Practical Training Course organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy in Urumqi, Xinjiang. He will also meet with the local officials.
The visit to Central Asia is co-organised with the HKTDC. During the delegation's visit in Almaty, Kazakhstan from August 25 to 26, they will attend the "Collaborate2Win" seminar co-organised by the HKTDC and the Department of Justice, and exchange with local legal and business representatives. Afterwards, the delegation will depart for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to meet with local officials and learn about the development of the local legal services industry.
Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on August 30. During Mr Lam's absence, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will be the Acting Secretary for Justice.
The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, Photo source: reference image
Speech by CS at Carnival of Care and Harmony
Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Carnival of Care and Harmony today (August 23):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you today at this Carnival of Care and Harmony.
This warm and vibrant gathering reminds me of everything that makes Hong Kong a truly multicultural metropolis - its energy, its openness and its spirit that welcomes everyone. For generations, people of diverse ethnic backgrounds have called this city home.
Yet we recognise that while Hong Kong belongs to everyone, our friends from non-ethnic Chinese communities may still encounter challenges in their daily lives, whether language barriers, cultural differences or simply for not always being fully understood. That is why we are committed to taking action.
Government bureaux and departments are dedicated to providing a wide range of support services to help ethnic minorities integrate more fully into society and realise their potential so that Hong Kong can truly become a home for all.
Since assuming office, the current-term Government has been steadily enhancing these services and introducing new initiatives to support our multi-ethnic communities.
In 2024, for example, we established two additional Support Service Centres, bringing the total to 10. These centres are strategically located in districts with larger ethnic minority populations. They run many programmes and activities to help community members engage more deeply with Hong Kong life.
To enhance services, we have also set up "Ethnic Minority Care Teams" within each Support Service Centre. Each team is led by a social worker, supported by programme workers and volunteers who are familiar with the languages and cultures of the communities they serve.
Through proactive outreach - including home visits and community activities - they connect with ethnic minorities in need, assisting with everyday challenges and providing timely support during emergencies or unexpected incidents. During typhoons, for example, these teams share weather updates through their community networks, accompany those in need to temporary shelters and check on elderly individuals living alone to ensure they receive proper care.
In just over two years, these teams have reached some 18 000 ethnic minority households. That is real impact.
Moreover, as announced in last year's Policy Address, each Support Service Centre has now established a "Youth Network" and a "Women's Network".
The Youth Network offers a platform for young people to connect with one another and with the wider community, including through exchange visits to the Chinese Mainland, which deepen their understanding of Chinese history and culture.
The Women's Network, meanwhile, aims to encourage social inclusion and encourage greater community participation among ethnic minority women.
Looking ahead, we will continue our efforts to support our non-ethnic Chinese friends to better integrate into our society and create more opportunities for everyone.
I wish you all a very enjoyable carnival and a fruitful afternoon of information sharing, performances, fun and games!
Let us join hands and build an even more caring and harmonious Hong Kong.
Now, I would like to say a few words in Cantonese.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the speech.)
Source: AI-found images
