Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with State Councillor, Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council and President of the All-China Women’s Federation, Ms Shen Yiqin, at Government House today (March 31). The Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip, also attended the meeting.
Mr Lee welcomed Ms Shen and her delegation to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Family and Women Development Summit, and applauded her guidance. He said that Ms Shen’s support reflects the importance the country attaches to women’s affairs and family building in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Mr Lee said that the hosting of the Summit is a concrete action by Hong Kong to actively promote women and family affairs, and the extensive participation of various sectors of the community demonstrates Hong Kong’s strong cohesiveness in advancing the cause. He said that the current-term HKSAR Government has rolled out a series of innovative policies and measures on women’s development and family building, including the establishment of the Women Empowerment Fund, the launch of the “She Inspires” Mentorship Programme that matches female university students with women leader mentors, the implementation of the Funding Scheme on the Promotion of Family Education, the organisation of the Hong Kong Excellent Family Awards and more. These initiatives have laid a solid foundation for the work on women’s development and family building in Hong Kong while nurturing a new generation of women’s power.
Mr Lee said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly sets out its support for the promotion of gender equality and the all-round development of women, as well as the importance of dedicating efforts in upholding good family values and strengthening family building, family education and family virtues. These demonstrate the country’s strong commitment to the development of women and family affairs, and provide an important guide for the HKSAR in planning its work on family and women’s affairs. Hong Kong will proactively take forward the relevant work and strengthen planning efforts on family development with a view to promoting good family virtues, advancing the diversified development of women and fostering social harmony.
Mr Lee said that Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of being closely connected to both the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle. Hong Kong will continue to play its bridging role in promoting exchanges and co-operation between the country and the international community in women and family affairs, and make greater contributions to the national development and on the international stage.