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(c)

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The Government shares the values enshrined in Articles 9 and 10 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and recognises the need for family reunion. However, given the substantial number of families involved, we must regulate the immigrant inflow from China for settlement in a controlled and manageable manner. At present, over 90% of Chinese immigrants coming to Hong Kong under the One-way Permit system come for family reunion purposes. Applications for residence from Two-way Permit holders will only be considered in very exceptional cases on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, and each case is considered on its own merits. The discretion to allow Two-way Permit holders to settle in Hong Kong would only be exercised where there are compelling reasons which require special treatment. Any relaxation of this policy to allow Two-way Permit holders to settle on merely family reunion grounds will punch a hole through the One-way Permit system, and would be unfair to those who are waiting for their turn to come legally.

Social networking for the elderly

Following is a question by the Hon Mok Ying-fan and a reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In connection with the project of social networking for the elderly, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

of the total amount of resources allocated for the implementation of this project which will last for two years, and their distribution among various districts;

given that volunteers participating in the project are important helpline to identify and understand the needs of the elderly and to bring them into the formal welfare service network, whether the Government has any training programme in hand to enhance the volunteers' knowledge of the general problems faced by the elderly and the formal welfare services provided to them;