Speech by CS at Opening Ceremony of White Christmas Street Fair 2023 (with photos/video)

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the opening ceremony of White Christmas Street Fair 2023 today (November 30):

Tim (Chief Executive of Swire Properties, Mr Tim Blackburn), Tammy (representative of Operation Santa Claus and Editor-in-Chief of South China Morning Post, Ms Tammy Tam), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     It gives me great pleasure to join you all for the grand opening of Swire Properties' White Christmas Street Fair 2023 "CHOCOLAND!" this evening. 

     The Street Fair, as Swire Properties' annual signature event, has been fostering the betterment of Hong Kong society. This year's edition is no exception. All proceeds will go to Operation Santa Claus 2023, which supports various charitable organisations to help society.

     The fair also promotes close co-operation between the Government, the business sector, and the community.

     And this year's edition is particularly youthful, I am glad to note. It is jointly presented by university students under the Swire Properties Placemaking Academy, together with secondary school students under the E-League programme of the Government's Eastern District Office.

     On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank Swire Properties for its ongoing commitment to grooming Hong Kong young people. 

     No doubt, the Street Fair enables the youth to showcase their talent and creativity. It also complements the efforts of the Government, jointly with all walks of life, to implement our Youth Development Blueprint for young people's healthy growth and holistic development. 

     I am sure Hong Kong citizens, including you all, will enjoy this year's Street Fair.

     No less important, I appeal to you all, once again, to cast your vote in the District Council election on December 10. Together with the capable District Council members to be elected, we will build a better community. 

     On that note, I wish the Street Fair a great success and every one of you a Merry Christmas ahead.

     Now, may I say a few words in Cantonese.

　　很開心出席今日的「白色è�–誕市集—CHOCOLANDï¼�ã€�開幕典禮。這個市集是太å�¤åœ°ç”¢çš„年度社å�€ç››äº‹ï¼Œæ´»å‹•æ”¶ç›Šå°‡å…¨æ•¸æ’¥æ��「愛心è�–誕大行動ã€�，以支æŒ�多個é�žç‰Ÿåˆ©çµ„織推展社å�€é—œæ„›å·¥ä½œï¼Œå¯¦åœ¨å��分有æ„�義。
 
　　今年的市集更是尤其充滿�春活力，因為是由Swire Properties Placemaking Academy的大專生，����民政事務處「���藤�計劃下的中學生攜手呈�。我代表特�政府，�太�地產在栽培�年方�的貢�，表示衷心的��。
 
　　我很期待，特�政府��太�地產以至社會�界繼續緊密�作，�好�年發展和社�建設的工作。借今日機會，我當然亦�一�，�二月�日是�議會�舉的大日�，大家記得��親朋好�，踴�投票，一起建設更美好的社�。
 
　　最後，我��「白色�誕市集�圓滿�功，亦�����誕快樂。多�大家。