On October 9th, the first “Hong Kong Family and Women’s Development Summit,” organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s Home Affairs and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Women’s Commission, and the Family Council, took place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This summit, themed “Harnessing Women’s Power and Promoting Good Family Values,” focused on the contributions of women to society.

During the opening ceremony, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan highlighted that Hong Kong is an open, diverse, and vibrant international metropolis. With women comprising 54% of the population, he noted that Hong Kong women are excelling in various fields. As society progresses, modern women are showing strength and independence, serving as vital pillars in driving social development.

Chan further mentioned that women not only contribute their wisdom and strength to social and economic development but also play a unique role in family dynamics, education, and building family values. He assured that the government would continue to actively promote initiatives that support family and women’s development and expressed hope for collaborative efforts across the community to enhance family harmony and women’s welfare, ultimately constructing a harmonious society.

The summit featured a series of speakers from various regions and sectors who shared their experiences and insights on promoting family and women’s development, as well as approaches to fostering healthy family growth.

Among the speakers, Ma Liejian, a member of the secretariat of the All-China Women’s Federation, commended Hong Kong women for embodying the “Lion Rock Spirit” and actively contributing to the common development and prosperity of Hong Kong and the nation. She emphasized that passing down the vital tradition of “a harmonious family brings prosperity” is crucial for promoting a civilized society and building harmony. The state will continue to create favorable conditions for women’s comprehensive development, making the family a cornerstone of national progress and social harmony.

Former Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Fu Ying introduced her remarks with the character for “peace,” which visually represents “a woman within the home,” illustrating the essential role of women in maintaining peace. Recalling her experience in peacekeeping missions in Cambodia, she pointed out the indispensable part women play in post-conflict reconstruction and peace processes. Given the new security challenges faced globally, she urged women to leverage their unique empathetic understanding to contribute to peace and security.

Cambodian Minister of Women’s Affairs Kantha Phavi addressed the summit via video, sharing her country’s experience in achieving socioeconomic development through gender equality. She underscored the importance of empowering women for ensuring human rights, family support, and development, asserting that women possess resilience and the ability to shape the world, all rooted in the transmission of family values.