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     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Salvation Army Charity Christmas Luncheon 2024 today (December 3):
 
David (Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, Dr David Li), Colonel Philip (Territorial Commander of the Salvation Army, Mr Philip Maxwell) and Colonel Deslea (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries of the Salvation Army, Mrs Deslea Maxwell), soldiers of the Salvation Army, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon.
      
     It is a pleasure to join you all at this year’s Salvation Army Charity Christmas Luncheon. Today, we gather not only to celebrate the season of giving but also to enjoy the warmth of fellowship and the joy of sharing together. As we share this festive meal, let us remember that every bite we take is a reminder of the abundance we have and the importance of sharing that abundance with those in need. 

     This message is especially true in a world marked by persistent conflicts and humanitarian crises. They are vivid reminders that peace and safety cannot be taken for granted. They remind that we must not forget the simple virtue: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.   

     Though we are living in troubled times, there is a beacon of hope. Across the globe, there are compassionate groups and individuals who care deeply about the well-being of others, who devote their time and resources, and sometimes even at the risk of their own safety, to bring hope and help to those who are less fortunate. 

     The Salvation Army is one of them. 

     You have come a long way. Since 1930, the Salvation Army has been dedicated to serving the needy in Hong Kong through a wide range of services, including education, healthcare, and housing. As one of the largest NGOs subvented by the Social Welfare Department, you operate over 100 social service units, schools and education centres across Hong Kong, serving individuals from all backgrounds and ages.  

     I’m pleased to note that your kindness extends beyond Hong Kong to the Mainland. In addition to running community development offices in Yunnan and Sichuan, you gave a helping hand, earlier this year, to those who suffered from earthquakes in Gansu and Qinghai, supporting their winter resettlement as well as post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. 

     Ladies and gentlemen, my heartfelt appreciation goes to the Salvation Army, and to all of you, for your kindness, generosity and dedication to serving those in need and making a difference in people’s lives. 

     As Proverbs 11:25 reminds us, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” 

     At this festive season, let us share our joy, peace and blessings with our family, friends, colleagues and those around us. May our blessings be the blessings to others too. 

     Thank you, and may you have a blessed Christmas filled with joy, peace, love and abundance.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

     The inaugural International Ombudsman Summit 2024 hosted by the Office of The Ombudsman of Hong Kong in the Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District officially opened this morning (December 3). 

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Director-General of International Cooperation Department, National Commission of Supervision, Mr Cai Wei; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Fang Jianming; and the Ombudsman of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Mr Jack Chan, officiated at the Summit Opening Ceremony.     

     In his opening remarks at the ceremony, Mr Chan Kwok-ki said, “Hong Kong has much to offer the world, East and West. Our judiciary is independent, we practice the rule of law, believe in efficient government and a simple and low tax system. We are blessed with modern infrastructure, a world-class financial and professional services sector, and, yes, an internationally respected Office of the Ombudsman.” 

     Mr Cai provided three suggestions in his keynote speech to further enhance exchanges and co-operation within the ombudsman community, firstly, to respect equality and inclusiveness; secondly, to focus on practical co-operation; and thirdly, to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning. Mr Cai’s suggestions reiterate the objectives of the Summit. 

      The Summit has received an overwhelming response from ombudsmen and institutions worldwide and representatives from international bodies. Around 140 overseas and Mainland participants from about 40 countries and regions across six continents, including the First Vice President of the International Ombudsman Institute, Mr Mohamed Benalilou, the President of the Asian Ombudsman Association, Mr Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, a multitude of ombudsmen, over 30 consuls, and senior personnel from more than 20 international bodies and local organisations, attended the Summit. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Office of European Union to Hong Kong and Macao, the Badan Arbitrase Nasional Indonesia Arbitration Centre and the Institution of the Mediator of the Kingdom of Morocco are among those international bodies. The Office has also arranged live streaming to facilitate global counterparts’ participation in the Summit, attracting a large number of online participants. This reflects that the Summit has served its purpose of promoting knowledge exchanges at the global level.

     In his welcoming remarks, Mr Jack Chan noted, “The Summit offers the best occasion for bringing together ombudsmen and institutions from around the world, local, the Mainland and international professionals and academia. It also provides the best opportunity for Hong Kong to demonstrate our distinctive advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world under ‘one country, two systems’.

     “The Summit, with the theme ‘Ombudsman in a Changing World: Learning from the Past; Preparing for the Future’, provides a platform for ombudsmen of different jurisdictions and systems, dispute resolution organisations, professionals and academics from all around the globe to exchange insights and share experiences and best practices. It also enables meaningful discussions about the evolving challenges faced by ombudsman systems and institutions as well as in-depth deliberations on future developments in the field. The Summit features three panel sessions: the first two sessions, namely ‘Learning from the Past’ and ‘Preparing for the Future’, finished this morning, while the third session, ‘Promoting Mediation and Multi-agencies Collaboration in Handling Public Complaints’, will take place in the afternoon.”

     Following the afternoon panel session, the Closing Ceremony of the Summit and the 35th Anniversary Reception Ceremony will be held in the evening. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will officiate at the closing and anniversary ceremonies and witness at the Exchange Ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation. Overseas guests, Members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, senior government officials, chairpersons of chambers of commerce, and local professionals and academics will join the reception to celebrate the Office’s achievements of the past 35 years.

     For more information on the Summit and the anniversary celebration, please visit the Summit website: www.ios2024.ombudsman.hk

      

     Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (December 3): Reporter: I would like to ask about the enterprise agreement for the Northern Metropolis l… read more

     Police today (December 3) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Kwai Chung.      Police received a report saying that Yuen Chu, aged 63, went missing after she le… read more

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the International Ombudsman Summit 2024 today (December 3):
 
Director-General Cai (Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation of the National Commission of Supervision of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Cai Wei), Deputy Commissioner Fang (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Fang Jianming), President Benalilou (First Vice President of the International Ombudsman Institute, Mr Mohamed Benalilou), President Qureshi (President of the Asian Ombudsman Association, Mr Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi), Mr Chan (Ombudsman of Hong Kong, Mr Jack Chan), Consuls-General, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     ​Good morning. I am delighted to welcome you to Hong Kong and the International Ombudsman Summit, which brings together some 140 ombudsmen and other senior players from ombudsman offices around the world.
 
     You are here, in Hong Kong, because you are committed to the principles of fairness, accountability and transparency. Because you are eager to hear from high-profile speakers and your international colleagues about the latest developments and best practices in this critical area of public administration.
 
     You are here, too, l am pleased to add, to help us celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Office of The Ombudsman.
 
     Hong Kong is proud to host this global gathering – to welcome you and the invaluable experience you bring to this Summit. We have long acknowledged the importance of the Office of The Ombudsman and its essential role in Hong Kong’s administration, our economy and our community.
 
     The “one country, two systems” principle is the foundation of Hong Kong’s governance and approach to the world. “One country, two systems” creates singular opportunities with our country, China, and enables us to do business and build connections and people-to-people ties with the world at large.
 
     Hong Kong has much to offer the world, East and West. Our judiciary is independent, we practise the rule of law, believe in efficient government and a simple and low tax system. We are blessed with modern infrastructure, a world-class financial and professional services sector, and, yes, an internationally respected Office of The Ombudsman.
 
     The Ombudsman serves as a bridge between the people of Hong Kong and the Government. It demands that we learn from history and that we anticipate the challenges ahead.
 
     Those challenges have expanded, hand in hand – or should I say screen in hand – with the rapid advances of technology, the complexities of global interdependence, and the ever-evolving expectations of our citizens, who look to today’s ombudsmen as custodians of the past, guardians of the present and architects of the future.
 
     It is a demanding remit, but I am pleased to say that the Office of The Ombudsman in Hong Kong is committed to realising that responsibility. More than half of the Office’s 120 employees are investigators, let me add.
 
     And, as Chief Secretary for Administration, it is my responsibility to submit responses to the Ombudsman’s recommendations – on behalf of the Government – to our Legislative Council.
 
     Last year, the Office handled some 4 400 complaint cases. Through 95 full investigations and 10 completed direct investigation operations, the Office made 186 recommendations to various government bureaux and departments.
 
     I welcome them, each and every one of them. They were made to improve the quality and the standards of public administration in Hong Kong. And to ensure the public that we are committed to accountability through independent, objective and impartial investigations.
 
     We are also very much open to celebrations here in Hong Kong. As mentioned, this year is the 35th anniversary of the Office of The Ombudsman in Hong Kong. Since its establishment, the Office has been steadfast in driving a fair, efficient and accountable public administration, identifying areas that the Administration can improve in with sound recommendations.
 
     I am pleased to congratulate the Office of The Ombudsman for 35 years of dedicated work and painstaking efforts on behalf of Hong Kong.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a rewarding Summit, and the best of health, and business, in the coming year. And I know you will enjoy all that Hong Kong, Asia’s world city, has to offer you.
 
     Thank you.