CE visits Eastern District to gather public views on Policy Address (with photos/videos)
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The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; the Director of Home Affairs, Ms Priscilla To; and the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Edward To, also joined relevant parts of the visit.
Mr Lee and the officials, accompanied by the District Officer (Eastern), Mr Henry Lai, first visited Oi Tung Estate, where they visited elderly living alone and presented them with blessing bags. They also learned about the daily lives of the residents and the support provided by the District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams). Mr Lee also interacted with residents of the estate and listened to their views. He noted that the District Services and Community Care Teams - Scheme on Supporting Elderly and Carers has been extended to cover the entire territory of Hong Kong, with Care Teams assisting in identifying singleton and doubleton elderly persons and carers of elderly persons and persons with disabilities in need, and providing them with care and support services.
Mr Lee and the officials then visited the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Fong Shu Chuen Social Service Building to interact with elderly users of the services and learn about how they use gerontechnology and silver products to enhance their quality of life.
Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been taking multi-pronged measures to strengthen elderly care services. They include increasing the numbers of Residential Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly, and Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly, starting from April this year, and continuing to expand and enhance the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong, and providing social and care support services to participating elderly to help them adapt to living in Guangdong.
On the other hand, the HKSAR Government has been actively encouraging elderly service units and the elderly to harness gerontechnology. This includes support through the Innovation and Technology Fund for Application in Elderly and Rehabilitation Care, which subsidises elderly and rehabilitation service units in using technological products to improve the lives of service users and reduce the pressure on nursing staff and carers.
Mr Lee and the officials then visited the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence. They toured the "Standing Together for Peacebuilding: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance in Guangdong and Hong Kong" exhibition jointly organised by the museum and Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, and interacted with young people there. Noting that this year marks the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government's Working Group on Patriotic Education is co-ordinating the organisation of commemorative activities by various policy bureaux and departments at full steam, actively passing on the spirit of the War of Resistance, fostering a correct understanding of history among the younger generation, strengthening their patriotism, and nurturing them become pillars of society who can contribute to the development of Hong Kong and the country.
The public consultation exercise for the 2025 Policy Address was launched in mid-June. Mr Lee said that he and his team will continue to listen to opinions from various sectors of society, leading society in driving innovation and reform to boost the economy and improve people's livelihood. He appealed to members of the public to continue to actively give their views to the Government.
Ends/Saturday, August 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:05
Issued at HKT 14:05
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