Zheng calls on welfare sector to spread patriotism and national pride

The social welfare sector in Hong Kong should spread the patriotism values and improve people's well-being, says liaison office director Zheng Yanxiong, stressing the SAR cannot take a wrong direction anymore.

In a Cantonese speech to about 500 social welfare sector representatives at a summit in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai yesterday, Zheng said the sector is an essential force in helping to relieve people's hardship.

He also said the social welfare sector is close to the grassroots and connecting people and he hoped the sector can use such advantages to improve people's well-being.

Zheng hoped that the sector will continue to be committed to its aspiration and mission and guide the way for a bright future for the industry.

He also hoped that the sector would stay united to effectively forge consensus and promote the mainstream values of patriotism and implementation of one country, two systems.

The sector had to remain pragmatic and focused when serving the community so that citizens benefitted more from the fruits of economic development in a fair manner.

"Hong Kong had suffered from political disputes and social turmoil for some time before. Some people even fell into the political myths like 'Hong Kong independence' and 'mutual destruction.' Those lessons are profound," Zheng said.

"In the new stage, Hong Kong can no longer get its direction wrong, and cannot be deceived by others anymore. Friends in the social welfare sector have unique advantages by connecting thousands of households, and it can spread and advocate the mainstream core values to society."

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also attended the summit yesterday and hoped the social welfare sector would continue to engage in exchanges with the mainland and overseas to promote high quality development of the sector.

Lee also said the SAR reached an agreement with Guangdong authorities on promoting cooperation in elderly care services during his Greater Bay Area trip with other officials and lawmakers last month.

Before the summit, the Secretary for Labor and Welfare, Chris Sun Yuk-han, signed a memorandum of cooperation on care for the elderly on behalf of the SAR with the Department of Civil Affairs of Guangdong Province to foster collaboration. The agreement will boost support for elderly care development in both places, facilitate elderly care training and exchanges and encourage relevant organizations of the two places to explore and extend the scope and mode of cooperation.