Free sweets for Hong Kong’s ethnic minority children ahead of UN discrimination day, but critics say it won’t help city’s social integration problems
Initiative on Sunday attended by chief executive was part of government’s ‘Appreciate Hong Kong’ campaign, which aims to ‘build a harmonious society’
A Hong Kong charity handed out free sweets to 100 ethnic minority children on Sunday as part of the government’s “Appreciate Hong Kong” campaign amid criticism the initiative did little to achieve the campaign’s stated aim of promoting integration.
The giveaways were among a list of 24 items and services being offered free by community groups under the campaign.
The goal of the campaign, which organisers said would benefit 13,000 people, is to “spread love and blessings among the people of Hong Kong and build a harmonious society”.
Activities and services on offer include free lunches in impoverished neighbourhoods for a day, free Chinese medicine consultations and free entry to community sports facilities.
Kick-starting the campaign near Tamar Park in Admiralty on Sunday, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said he hoped it would promote social cohesion.
“We should treasure Hong Kong, bless Hong Kong and appreciate Hong Kong,” Leung said, adding his administration had increased welfare spending by 40 per cent in the past four years.