Speech by CE at Opening Ceremony of Asian Family Summit 2024 (with video)
Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of Asian Family Summit 2024 today (December 27):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning, and welcome to Hong Kong.
I am delighted to welcome you to the Asian Family Summit, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. The International Year of the Family was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. Throughout the years, the proclamation and relevant policies have helped to create equality within families, and fostered more harmonious family relations.
Families are the building block of society. Indeed, families face different challenges stemming from changes in the social, economic, environmental and technological landscapes. That's why I find the theme of this Summit, "Towards a Better Tomorrow for Families: Partnership, Collaboration & Action for Sustainable Development", most suitable for us in addressing the key issues facing our families.
I am pleased that experts from the United Nations, as well as different sectors in Hong Kong and across Asia, are joining us in this worthy cause. Over the coming three days, you will share your insights on the sustainable development of families. I am confident that you will find inspiration from each other, as well as the diverse programmes planned by the organisers.
The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government attaches importance to enhancing the well-being of families, and strives to build a harmonious society for all. Our Family Council, which celebrates its 17th anniversary this year, is a cross-disciplinary platform that promotes a culture of loving families in the community.
Advancing family well-being is a vision embraced by the entire community, and we are committed to working with all stakeholders to cultivate a pro-family environment in Hong Kong. Our latest initiatives, in partnership with the Family Council, include supporting the community in launching family education projects of an extended scope. We will also organise the Hong Kong Excellent Family Awards next year, to promote good family values among the general public.
As announced in my Policy Address this October, we will strengthen parental education by setting up new Community Parents and Children Centres in different parts of the city. The Centres will promote interaction between parents and their children, and cultivate parents' positive parenting skills.
We have also tasked the new District Services and Community Care Teams, set up by the current term of the Government, to provide more support to families and carers. Our Social Welfare Department has been training different Care Teams in identifying and reaching out to households in need. We believe that this could help to identify, at an early stage, elderly persons, their carers, as well as other families with social welfare needs, and facilitate the referral to suitable services.
The building of a more caring and inclusive society for all families requires the effort of not only the Government, but also all sectors of the community. To the organisers of this Summit - the Consortium of Institutes on Family in the Asian Region, the Social Welfare Department, the Family Council, the Connecting Hearts, the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service - I thank you all for your efforts in bringing together this international gathering, as well as your dedication to the healthy development of families.
For our guests from the Mainland and overseas, do take the opportunity to explore the beauty and vibrancy of Hong Kong.
I wish this Summit a great success and all of you a healthy year ahead. Thank you very much.
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony
Hong Kong Customs held a graduation parade for the Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony at the Hong Kong Customs College today (December 27).
During the graduation parade, 60 members of the Customs Youth Leader Corps (CYLC) and 22 in-service Customs personnel who were former CYLC members demonstrated the exceptional discipline and demeanour of the disciplined services through their uniform Chinese-style foot drill. The flag-raising ceremony was conducted by the Foot Drill and Flag Party of the CYLC, the first youth group under the Security Bureau to perform the Chinese-style rifle foot drill, fully reflecting the steadfast commitment of Customs in nurturing patriotism among young people.
The Executive Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Dr Eugene Chan, in his speech said that Customs YES continuously promotes youth development by organising activities such as national education, community services, Customs work experience, career orientation and discipline trainings with an aim to nurture youth leaders with a sense of responsibility, national identity and a global horizon. He also encouraged members to maintain the excellent qualities of the CYLC, namely courage, perseverance and integrity, in the future to contribute to the country and Hong Kong.
During the four-day training camp, participants underwent training on the Chinese-style foot drill, physical fitness and leadership to enhance their team spirit and leadership capabilities. They also visited the Customs Airport Command and the headquarters of the Government Flying Service, and gained a deeper understanding on their work through briefings and a helicopter flight experience.
Following the graduation parade, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, Dr Chan and the Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Dr Mark Mak, officiated at the "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony. "YES Buddy" is the first 5G AI publicity robot of Customs. Led by Dr Mak and his team, members from the Innovation & Nurture: Customs YES Robotics Workshop took part in the design of the robot's appearance, functions and programming, embodying the creativity and practice of this innovation and technology learning.
Integrated with artificial intelligence, natural language processing and machine learning technologies, "YES Buddy" can give instant responses to public inquiries about customs work and Customs YES, as well as providing information on membership application matters and activities. Its database also covers knowledge on national security. In the future, "YES Buddy" will serve as a Customs YES ambassador to visit schools and youth gathering places to promote customs work and Customs YES activities, as well as encourage member recruitment and national security education.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to promote Customs YES with a view to fostering the all-round development of young people and nurturing a new generation of youth with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, with global perspectives and positive thinking.
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
