The Multicultural Carnival in Celebration of the 27th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) cum Kick-off Ceremony for Ethnic Minority Care Teams, organised by the Home Affairs Department and Radio Television Hong Kong, was held today (July 28). The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, officiated at the ceremony, announcing the official launch of the first eight Ethnic Minority Care Teams, while sharing with the ethnic minority community the joy of the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the Government spares no effort in building an inclusive and caring society. The Chief Executive, in his Policy Address last year, announced a series of new support measures. Among those measures are the setting up of Ethnic Minority Care Teams, and two additional support service centres for ethnic minorities. Mr Chan said that the Care Teams will visit ethnic minority households and stay in touch with them. Besides keeping them posted on the latest Government information, the Care Teams will proactively find out and fulfil their needs with relevant services. If necessary, the Care Teams can also refer them to relevant government departments or organisations for follow-up.
He also said the Government was pressing ahead with setting up two additional support service centres for ethnic minorities, one in Kowloon Central and the other in the New Territories East, bringing the total to 10. The two new centres, along with two more dedicated Care Teams, are expected to come into service by year's end.
Mr Chan also expressed gratitude towards the Central Government for its recently announced measure for non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents to apply for designated Mainland travel permits. The new measure can facilitate ethnic minorities with the permits to visit the Mainland for sightseeing or business purposes, and enjoy self-service clearance at Mainland control points. District Offices of the relevant districts, Ethnic Minority Care Teams, and support service centres for ethnic minorities will carry out relevant publicity and provide assistance in making applications.
Other officiating guests were the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam; the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung; the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Eddie Cheung, and representatives from non-governmental organisations responsible for operating the support service centres for ethnic minorities.
The Multicultural Carnival in Celebration of the 27th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR started after the ceremony, bringing the audience stellar performances of different ethnic groups that included dancing, musical instrument and martial arts. There were also game booths featuring ethnic minority cultures for the public to appreciate these diverse components of Hong Kong, helping visitors learn to build a caring and inclusive community.
After the ceremony, Mr Chan and Miss Mak visited an ethnic minority family living in Kwai Chung to understand their daily lives and needs, and introduce the roles and services of the Ethnic Minority Care Teams. Mr Chan and Miss Mak then visited a support service centre for ethnic minorities, the LINK Centre in Kwai Chung, to observe the activities organised by the Centre, including language classes, youth activities, drawing workshops and cooking classes.
The support service centres for ethnic minorities and Ethnic Minority Care Teams will work together and strive to provide caring services and organise various activities for ethnic minority residents, with the ultimate aim of building a more harmonious and inclusive Hong Kong.
