DSW leads delegation to Guangzhou (with photos)
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     Led by the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Patrick Nip, a delegation from the Social Welfare Department concluded its two-day visit to Guangzhou today (June 24), where they visited and exchanged views with the Guangdong Provincial Government and various social welfare organisations.

     During visits to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Guangdong Provincial People's Government and the Department of Civil Affairs of Guangdong Province, the delegates were briefed on the co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong as well as the province's latest developments in welfare services, including family and child welfare, services for the elderly, persons with disabilities and young people, and assistance to the poor.

     The delegation also visited the Guangdong Women's Rights and Information Service of the Guangdong Provincial Women's Federation, a rehabilitation centre of the Guangdong Disabled Persons' Federation as well as a residential home, an activity centre and an educational institute for the elderly.

     "Hong Kong and the Mainland, especially Guangdong, have been getting closely connected. Under the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation, the Guangdong authorities will apply the same policies as for private social welfare agencies on the Mainland to Hong Kong service suppliers as a way to encourage them to operate social welfare agencies for the elderly and persons with disabilities in the province," Mr Nip said.

     "So far there have been several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from Hong Kong providing such services in Guangdong. This is not only conducive to the development of social welfare services on the Mainland, but also to the Hong Kong people living there.

     "We will continue to strengthen exchanges and communication with both the Government and NGOs on the Mainland, and to promote the understanding, co-operation and co-ordination between the two sides for the provision of better services to the families and people in need," he added.

     Accompanying Mr Nip were Deputy Director (Services), Mrs Anna Mak; Assistant Director (Social Security), Ms Lung Siu-kit; Assistant Director (Family and Child Welfare), Ms Caran Wong; and Assistant Director (Elderly), Ms Cecilla Li. Having completed the duty visit, the delegation returned to Hong Kong this evening.

Ends/Friday, June 24, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:53

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