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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the launch ceremony of RTHK DAB's programme "Learning Adventure - Consuls General Series" today (February 9):
Consuls-general, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
As Chief Secretary for Administration, I meet with colleagues and friends in the consular circle on various occasions. Indeed, we met for a wonderful evening last Friday at a dinner hosted by the Chief Executive for our consular corps. The event this afternoon, however, is rather unique as the participating consuls-general are not just guests of the occasion - you are the stars of the programme.
The Director of Broadcasting has just reminded us that this is the second time for RTHK to invite all consuls-general in Hong Kong to participate in a multi-national cultural project. But I hope that in future it will take place more often than once a decade. It is timely to revive the concept, as there has been an increase in consulates-general in Hong Kong over the past 10 years and we have been receiving many new faces. They will certainly bring out perspectives different from their predecessors 10 years ago.
Hong Kong is an international city known for its tremendous business opportunities for investors all over the world. The number of overseas companies in Hong Kong has grown from about 4 500 in 2001 to more than 7 500 in 2014. However, for a place to be qualified as a cosmopolitan city, and an interesting one, there are more conditions to be fulfilled. We need to accommodate varieties and appreciate diversities.
On the other hand, we attach importance to not only enhancing economic ties, but also facilitating cultural and educational exchanges between Hong Kong and other places. Take, as an example, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government began to establish bilateral Working Holiday Schemes with other economies in 2001. So far, 10 schemes have been established and they are well received by our young people. We will continue to explore the signing of such arrangements with more economies to provide more opportunities for our young people to experience and appreciate foreign cultures, and we can only do this with the help of all our consuls-general. With the sharing of the consuls-general in this radio programme, our young people will definitely get to know a lot more about the culture and learning experience of your home countries.
I am particularly happy that this afternoon, we are not only joined by consuls-general, but also by a number of CIBS participants. The Community Involvement Broadcasting Service, CIBS, is a pilot project which allows people in Hong Kong, particularly those who might not be heard in the mainstream broadcast, to produce their own radio shows. The service caters for both Chinese and non-Chinese speaking populations in Hong Kong. I am glad to know that programmes in various languages have already been produced and put on air. I am confident that the service will not only serve as a broadcasting platform for all, but also strengthen the sense of belonging and recognition for those who regard Hong Kong as their home, wherever they come from.
The event this afternoon has demonstrated how Hong Kong brings various sectors of communities together. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the participation of the consuls-general in this programme. The presence of all the guests today has encouraged me to appeal to you that we will continue to join hands to make Hong Kong a welcoming place for everyone in the global village.
I wish both the "Learning Adventure – Consuls General Series" and the CIBS programmes great success. Thank you very much.
Ends/Monday, February 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:42
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