Policy Address 2004

53. Globalisation has brought rapid changes to our social environment, with some groups and individuals facing difficult problems of adjustment. At the same time, we also face the problems and challenges brought on by an ageing population. We need to actively develop a strategy. In my previous Policy Addresses, I referred to the underlying beliefs guiding our social policies. The Government endeavours to provide the ideal environment, in which every person in Hong Kong will have the opportunity to realise his or her goals in life through individual effort. For those who face setbacks or encounter adversity, we should provide the support necessary to help them enhance their capacity and to realise their full potential. While education and training are important for selfadvancement, welfare, medical and other public health services provide the key co-ordinating and supporting role. We need to ensure that the services or assistance provided by Government can encourage self-help and mutual assistance so as to promote self-reliance and development of individual potential to the full.

54. Globalisation has aggravated poverty generally in many places around the world and we are no exception. We provide a safety net under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme to assure a basic standard of living. We attach importance to individuals who can work to enhance their capacity for self-reliance and self-betterment. We will further examine how to help poor people elevate themselves, and to improve their economic situation through sharing the opportunities that arise from social development.

55. The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food will engage relevant parties in developing our strategies to enhance 'social capital'. The social welfare sector has been encouraging volunteerism, and has proposed many new ideas to involve the business community to participate in community affairs. In addition, we established the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund in 2002. These have sown the seeds for a tri-partite partnership between government, the business community and the third sector (not-for-profit sectors). I have asked the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food to examine, in consultation with the Social Welfare Advisory Committee and the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund Committee, ways to develop this tri-partite partnership, and to consolidate and promote the successful experience of the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund. We seek to inculcate this concept in the community to help it take root.

56. With the gradual formation of mainstream thinking on our future economic development strategy, and the economic recovery brought about by that strategy, the community should now focus on how to foster economic restructuring and development. The Government is determined to promote economic revival. The elimination of the fiscal deficit and other measures that we take from now on will carefully take into account the impact on people's livelihood and the economic recovery. We also endeavour to maintain a stable society and to create a tolerant environment where people can direct their energies to improving their quality of life. At the same time, we will try our best to care for the disadvantaged and those facing difficulties.