Dr So (Dr Allison SO Ming-chun, Conductor and Honorary Advisor of Festive Chamber), Corina (Ms Corina CHEN, Director of Festive Chamber), distinguished guests and friends, good evening.

Thank you, Festive Chamber for inviting me to a lovely evening of mellow music and youthful enthusiasm. As people often say, “music knows no boundaries.” And tonight, I was thrilled to see an inspirational group of young people bring that saying to life. Your singing was heartwarming, and your energy uplifting. Perhaps most importantly, you have worked closely together to create a programme that embraces a diversity of musical genres and cultural traditions. Each and every one of you played a part. From every note, every melody to every cadence and every song, your voices built on each other to form a chorus of unity and hope.

Equally, diversity and inclusion are at the core of what we do at the Equal Opportunities Commission. We enforce Hong Kong’s anti-discrimination laws, which apply to educational settings, so that children and adolescents can learn and develop their potential in a safe, open and inclusive environment. We also organise youth engagement programmes from time to time. Just last month, in fact, we invited applications for the inaugural edition of our Youth Ambassador Scheme, which aims to equip tertiary students in Hong Kong with knowledge about diversity and inclusion through a series of experiential activities, such as visits to religious establishments and playing sports with people with disabilities. Like Festive Chamber, we hope to nurture the next generation of leaders committed to promoting the value of equal opportunity and building a harmonious society in Hong Kong.

Indeed, we must try our best to make sure the voices of young people from different backgrounds are heard – loudly and clearly – and that their voices will form part of the vibrant and dynamic song that is Hong Kong. With that, I wish you all had an enjoyable evening like I did. And thanks again, Festive Chamber, for having me. Thank you very much.