The Leisure and Cultural Services Department today (May 5) launched the "Dance for All" Community Care Inclusive Dance Scheme which runs until July 2025. This 15-month scheme, based at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC), serves as a platform for people with different abilities to enjoy dancing together, thus achieving social inclusion.
 
     Officiating at today's kick-off ceremony were the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu, and veteran local dance artist and Artistic Advisor of the scheme, Andy Wong. In his opening remarks, Mr Liu recalled that during his visit to the Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou last year, he came across an inclusive music programme for people with disabilities and found it meaningful. He shared the experience with colleagues and, with the support from Wong, the "Dance for All" scheme was launched today. Mr Liu expressed his hope that through the scheme, members of the public can feel the joy of inclusive dance.
 
     Today, DancingAndy and Dancers collaborated with young people from four inclusive dance groups in a series of performances, including wheelchair dance. There was also an interactive session in which all audience members were invited to dance together. Approximately 1 000 people attended the event today, around 100 of whom were children with disabilities. The atmosphere was warm and the audience were keen to participate, fully showing the unity and harmony between disabled and non-disabled people.  
　 
     The "Dance for All" scheme provides year-long in-school training for 40 students at two special schools. This will culminate in a finale performance to be held in July 2025 at the HKCC Studio Theatre to demonstrate the fruits of learning. During the course of the scheme, a wide array of inclusive activities will also take place at the HKCC, such as a dance carnival featuring different inclusive dance groups, as well as a series of workshops and dance shows. Apart from local artists, a Swedish group that specialises in dance for neurodiverse children will come to Hong Kong and perform in July. Programme highlights will be uploaded onto the LCSD's Edutainment Channel to share with the public the scheme's progress. Please refer to the Annex for details of various programmes under the scheme.
 
     For more details of the scheme, please call 2591 1300 or visit www.abo.gov.hk/en/scheme/idc2425.
 
     To show care for senior citizens, people with different abilities and other communities in need, the LCSD has introduced the Community Care Series which offers a vast range of recreational, sports and cultural activities and facilities. More details can be found on its webpage at www.lcsd.gov.hk/edutainment/en/for_care/index.html.

                  

     â€‹The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, attended the Business Session of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors Annual Meeting this morning (May 5, Tbilisi time) in Tbilisi, Georgia. The meeting discussed matters such as the ADB's budget and business directions.

     During the meeting, Mr Chan said that Hong Kong, China actively supports the work of the ADB, and highlighted Hong Kong's unique role as a "super connector" and a multi-level bridge under the "one country, two systems" principle. He emphasised that in various areas such as business, investment, innovation and technology, and green transformation, Hong Kong efficiently connects funds and projects, and could create opportunities with ADB members together. Furthermore, Hong Kong has been vigorously advancing the development of innovation and technology in recent years, focusing on artificial intelligence and big data, life and health sciences, fintech, as well as new energy and new materials. In these areas, Hong Kong, China and other ADB members can foster stronger collaboration to contribute to regional economic prosperity, enhance climate resilience of the region, and build a more sustainable future together.

     Mr. Chan had completed his itinerary at the ADB Annual Meeting and departed for Hong Kong immediately thereafter. He will arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow (May 6, Hong Kong time) afternoon.

    

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, today (May 5) officiated at the Foster Families Service Award Presentation Ceremony 2024, in which 260 families were awarded for their care, devotion and exceptional contributions to foster children. With participation from about 700 foster parents and children, this joyful reunion serves to call on more people to join the service with a view to bringing love and care for more needy children.
      
     The Award Presentation Ceremony, jointly organised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) subvented by the SWD for operating the foster care service, was themed "Amplifying Love through One-Plus-One" to promote the department's "one-plus-one" recruitment scheme for foster families.
      
     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Sun called for support for the "one-plus-one" recruitment scheme and appealed to members of the public interested in serving needy children to submit applications together with their families and friends for taking care of the same foster child so that they can swiftly stand in for one another when any of them cannot assume the caring role due to temporary reasons. He said that such an approach not only promotes mutual support among peers and families, but also saves the need to arrange for a foster child to stay in an unfamiliar living environment.
      
     Mr Sun said foster parents have made significant contributions to the protection of children's well-being. The Government has, since last month, substantially increased the incentive payment for foster families, with that for foster care service increasing from around $5,000 to about $11,000 per month, and that for emergency foster care service from around $6,600 to about $13,000 per month. Additional support will also be provided to foster families taking care of children with special learning or care needs. He hoped that these initiatives will impress upon foster families the support and appreciation for them in the community.
      
     At the ceremony, Mr Sun and the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee, presented long-service awards to 18 families which have been providing foster care service for more than 25 years. Close to 180 families which have been providing the service from five to 20 years were also awarded. Special awards were given to foster families with outstanding performances.
      
     A video (youtu.be/QVsMWJYsd80?si=MyP4zfzqv8rUuC6F) was featured at the ceremony to introduce how foster families can mutually support each other under the "one-plus-one" arrangement as they strive to provide a home for needy children that renders protection and shelter.
      
     The SWD's Central Foster Care Unit was established in 1982 to oversee and co-ordinate the provision of foster care services provided by NGOs. Foster care aims at providing family-like care for children whose parents cannot provide proper care for them due to family problems. The children can therefore continue to enjoy family life until they can be reunited with their families or when other long-term welfare plans are arranged for them. Currently, there are about 980 registered foster families.
      
     Members of the public who are interested in becoming foster parents may contact the SWD's Central Foster Care Unit at 2573 2282 during office hours.

        

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 5) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 5) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department, the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index of Silver Mine Bay Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District; Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District; and Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun District is 4, which means the water quality is "Very Poor". The red flags have been hoisted and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.