SHA on policy on Chinese immigrants
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the motion debate on policy on Chinese immigrants in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
The Honourable member, the community and the Government share the same concerns about the various problems faced by the new arrivals from China, and that necessary measures are implemented to enable their smooth integration into the community as soon as possible. Our aim is to ensure that new arrivals become members of the Hong Kong community as quickly as possible. To achieve this aim, it is our policy to make available to them adequate and appropriate support services.
We would avoid labelling new arrivals as a distinct group. This is because if new arrivals are singled out, this would alienate them from the community, thus contrary to our aim. There are indeed many new arrivals, who with the support of the community, are able to overcome different problems. At various times in the history of Hong Kong, we have seen arrivals from China joining us and making significant contributions to the development of Hong Kong's economy.
Nevertheless, there are a number of those newly arrived in the Territory who do face challenges and need assistance with orienting themselves in a society which may be very different from that to which they are accustomed. These needs are most marked during the first year after arrival as a number of practical difficulties often need to be faced. These may include having to use a new language in daily life, finding school places for their newly arrived children, helping their children resolve learning difficulties in schools, searching for new jobs, living in crowded accommodation, adapting to a totally new living environment, adjustment difficulties in living with their spouses' families, a lack of supporting social network, etc.
Our priority, therefore, is to assess more specifically the needs of these newest members of our community; to ensure that our service providers target at areas where services are most needed, and to meet the needs of new arrivals in the best possible way. In a short while, several of my colleagues will explain to Honourable members the services being provided for new arrivals. I will concentrate on the efforts which we in Home Affairs are making in this aspect.