Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 Celebrates Ordinary Heroes Making Extraordinary Contributions

Speech by CE at 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 (with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 today (December 3):

Ms Catherine So (Chief Executive Officer of the South China Morning Post),Mr Daryl Ng (Deputy Chairman of the Sino Group),Mr Paulo Pong (Chairperson of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards Judging Panel),Spirit of Hong Kong Awards judges and nominators,awardees and finalists, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I'm delighted to be here, once again, for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, the 12th edition.

Tonight's awards are unlike most prize ceremonies. This evening, we pay tribute not to the most celebrated or gifted at one thing or another - not to research or creative excellence in a given category - however much we certainly need, and count on, such remarkable individuals.

The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards honours those who exemplify Hong Kong's can-do spirit. The winners and finalists with us this evening, are not, for the most part, celebrities. They are ordinary people, doing extraordinary things. And doing them for the people of Hong Kong.

We have been particularly blessed with such people this year - everyday individuals, imbued with the spirit of altruism and civic pride. Nominations, I'm pleased to say, have more than tripled for this year's Awards.

The individuals behind the nominations are helping so many Hong Kong people, in so many ways. They make a profound difference in areas ranging from health, education, employment and the environment, to charities, community service, art, sports, culture and more. Much more.

We are proud that these remarkable individuals - all of you - call Hong Kong home. We are grateful, too, to be inspired by you, and happy today to honour you.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong, as you all know, is now ushering in a new era of transformation. We are witnessing changes in modes of business, in economic activities, in the social ladder, and in the dynamics of the lives of the people of Hong Kong, day in, day out.

In times like this, we look to selfless individuals to step up, to make a difference for their neighbours, and the greater community. For all of Hong Kong.

To all our winners and nominees, you are role models for Hong Kong. I count on you to continue spreading your positive impact in society. I am confident that with your spirit, the spirit of Hong Kong, there is nothing Hong Kong can't accomplish - for our economy, for our community. For each other.

I am grateful to the organisers of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, the South China Morning Post and the Sino Group. My thanks, too, to this year's prestigious panel of judges, whose selfless efforts reflect the spirit of Hong Kong.

My congratulations to the winners and finalists in this year's 10 categories. My thanks, as well, to the Hong Kong public, which voted for the Lion Rock People's Choice Award.

Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will treasure this special evening. And I wish everyone a new year full of the spirit of Hong Kong.

Thank you.

Speech by CE at 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SB and its disciplined services hold Constitution Day Flag Raising Ceremony

​Today (December 4) is Constitution Day. The Security Bureau (SB) led its disciplined services to hold the Constitution Day Flag Raising Ceremony at the Hong Kong Customs College, with a view to strengthening public understanding of the constitutional basis and order of the country and Hong Kong, as well as promoting the spirit of the Constitution.

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, officiated at the ceremony. The disciplined services ceremonial guard and the flag party, comprising more than 100 members, marched into the venue with Chinese-style foot drill and conducted the flag-raising ceremony during the playing and singing of the national anthem with a fly-past by a helicopter of the Government Flying Service (GFS). The ceremony was concluded by the Customs and Excise Band's military tattoo.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Lam said that Constitution Day has entered its second decade. Hong Kong's constitutional order is based on the Constitution and the Basic Law, which are the root and origin of Hong Kong. The Constitution provides the most fundamental and solid legal protection for "one country, two systems". Hong Kong should make full use of all the unique advantages brought about by "one country, two systems" and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests to maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. He said that public awareness of the Constitution should be nurtured from an early age, and members of the disciplined services should act as guardians and defenders of the Constitution and spare no effort in discharging the duty of safeguarding national security.

Participating disciplined services in the flag-raising ceremony included the Customs and Excise Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Immigration Department, the Correctional Services Department and the GFS.

The flag-raising ceremony was broadcast live via Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) TV 32, the website and the YouTube channel of RTHK, the Facebook page of the RTHK VNEWS and the website of the Information Services Department to allow the public to participate together to enhance awareness of the Constitution.