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The following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the Opening Ceremony of the 11th Rehabilitation International Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference held today (Sunday):
Professor Fang,
Distinguished Delegates and Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to be invited to the Opening Ceremony of the 11th Rehabilitation International Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference this evening. I understand that apart from 700 local delegates, there are 300 overseas delegates from about 50 countries and 350 delegates from the mainland of China. On behalf of Hong Kong, I would like to extend the heartiest welcome to you all.
Hong Kong is very proud and privileged to host this significant event. The last time we hosted a similar event was in 1968, thirty years ago. We have, since then, been making great strides in developing rehabilitation services, promoting awareness and understanding, and moving towards our shared goal of equal opportunities. We had our first rehabilitation programme plan and policy statement in the form of a white paper in 1977. Our second White Paper on Rehabilitation was published in 1995 and our rehabilitation programme plan is being updated at regular intervals.
We have a clear policy objective to guide our rehabilitation programme for the disabled into the 21st century. Our Government is committed to promote and provide comprehensive and effective measures to prevent disability, develop the physical, mental and social capabilities of the disabled, and foster a physical and social environment conducive to the full participation and equal opportunities of the disabled. The Disability Discrimination Ordinance has been enacted to give people with disabilities legal reasons to fight against discrimination and harassment. Through legislation and public education, we have already achieved positive results in encouraging the general public to more readily accept people with disabilities.
We are also making significant progress, both in terms of quantity and quality, in providing government-subvented rehabilitation services to the disabled. Since the beginning of the Asian and Pacific Decade for Disabled Persons in 1993, we have doubled the number of residential places and increased the number of day places by about 50% . We now have a total of some 8 800 residential places and over 24 000 day places for different types of services including special education and skills training. I am happy to say that we have no shortfalls of provision for a number of services, like special education, skills training and homes for the aged blind. In meeting the existing and projected shortfalls of various services, we have already allocated resources to provide additional day and residential places for some 2 000 disabled persons over the next five years. We would also improve the quality and standards of existing services as and when resources permit.
I am most pleased to note that the Rehabilitation International will present to the HKSAR Government a Life Patron Membership. The honour and credit belong to all who have made our achievements possible. Indeed, our achievements are the results of the joint efforts of government departments, statutory bodies and some 70 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including self-help organisations. This year we will spend about US$1.6 billion (HK$12.35 billion) on rehabilitation. Nearly 60% of this is for subvention to NGOs for providing medical, education and welfare services to the disabled. We are indeed very lucky to have a progressive, responsible and experienced non-governmental sector in Hong Kong. Both government departments and NGOs have been working in close partnership in the planning and implementation of services to meet the needs of the disabled. We treasure this partnership and will maintain the same rapport in pursuing our future goals.
It is unfortunate that many countries in the region including Hong Kong have been experiencing painful economic adjustments brought about principally by the unprecedented financial turmoil in Asia. Under the present climate, many governments in the region face great difficulty in finding sufficient funds to maintain and develop rehabilitation services in the light of other social needs, like social security payments and creation of jobs. Nevertheless, we will not neglect the needs of people with disabilities, nor take any retrograde steps along the road to equal opportunities and full participation. My Administration would continue to implement the policies as set out in our White Paper on Rehabilitation. We shall continue to provide support and assistance to the disabled, so that they can develop their potential and share the same opportunities as their fellow citizens.
This Regional Conference is an opportune time for all of us to take a critical look of our existing services with a view to improving its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It is also a challenge for all of us to identify, re-prioritise and re-deploy our limited resources from out-dated or less significant services to new and pressing demands. It is also a time to promote regional co-operation and support. Hong Kong has been playing an active role in the Asian and Pacific Region in ensuring that people with disabilities are provided with the necessary care and support. While we are all aware of the gaps and deficiencies in our work, this Regional Conference will give all of us an excellent opportunity to take stock of our achievements, to share experiences, to identify future challenges, and to debate appropriate and cost-effective solutions.
Ladies and gentlemen, during the week, you will initiate collaborative efforts and stimulate new links. Individuals will be able to establish contacts and partnerships with others facing similar challenges. I am sure that the distinguished delegates who are here today will make the Conference a remarkable success. I also wish you a very exciting and enjoyable stay in Hong Kong and look forward to your many many returns to this city for holiday or business in the future.
Thank you very much.
End/Sunday, August 23, 1998
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