Speech by CE at 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2025 (English only)(with photos/video)
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Mr Joe Tsai (Chairman of the South China Morning Post (SCMP)), Ms Nikki Ng (Non-Executive Director of the Sino Group), Mr Paulo Pong (Chairperson of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards Judging Panel), Ms Tammy Tam (Publisher of the SCMP), Spirit of Hong Kong Awards judges and nominators, awardees and finalists, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. We are gathered here, once again, for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, now in its 13th edition.
On this evening, we honour remarkable individuals who live among us. They are ordinary people who, through their selfless and sometimes painstaking efforts, their optimism and firm determination, and their innovation and compassionate leadership, make an extraordinary difference for Hong Kong, our home. For all of us.
We call them "unsung heroes". But tonight, we are here to sing their praises, to thank them for their beautiful and boundless spirit – the guiding spirit of Hong Kong.
The Spirit of Hong Kong winners and finalists will be announced this evening, and from 10 categories. They range from the spirit of community and culture, to that of innovation and entrepreneurship; from perseverance to teamwork, youth and the Lion Rock People's Choice Award, chosen by the people of Hong Kong.
Our nominees and winners tonight are role models for Hong Kong – for each and every one of us, young and old. I am very grateful for your dedication to our community. We are immensely proud of you, as we are of Hong Kong. Our city. Our home.
And, as we put a deserving spotlight, tonight, on this inspiring group of Hong Kong people, it is also heartening to know that the Hong Kong community, as a whole, is united and committed to helping their fellow citizens in need, to contributing to the collective good of Hong Kong.
The spirit of mutual support, I'm glad to note, can be seen everywhere in Hong Kong. When our elderly feel lonely, scores of volunteers would deliver warm meals to them and offer companionship. When our young feel fragile, different NGOs would take them under their wing and nurse them to recovery. When our athletes compete on the world stage, the people of Hong Kong would stay up late just to cheer them on, supporting them no matter what the results will be.
Such is the quiet, persistent strength of Hong Kong - a community that uplifts one another not because it is asked, but because it is who we are. This is important to note because, after all, heroism takes many forms. And central to it, central to the spirit of Hong Kong, is dedication, resilience, empathy and, above all, unity.
My thanks to the organisers of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, the South China Morning Post and the Sino Group. My thanks, too, to the Awards' panel of judges, who come from a variety of professions and backgrounds.
Ladies and gentlemen, this special evening is about more than celebration. It is also about gratitude and renewal. It is about drawing strength from those who have given so much to society, and committing ourselves to carry forward the spirit they embody.
And I wish to join you here to welcome the Year of the Horse, let's stride along with renewed purpose, and the enduring spirit of Hong Kong.
Enjoy the evening. Thank you very much.
Ends/Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:50
Issued at HKT 19:50
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