ýÿThe Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, conducted the third day of his visit programme in Beijing today (July 29) by calling on the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the China Enterprise Confederation and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

     Mr Cheung first met with the Chairperson of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, Ms Zhang Haidi, to exchange views on rehabilitation policy. Mr Cheung pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has continued to devote additional resources to enhance support for persons with disabilities. The total recurrent expenditure on rehabilitation services has grown from $16.6 billion in 2007-08 to $30.1 billion in the current financial year, representing an increase of over 80 per cent. The rehabilitation policy of the HKSAR Government is to help persons with disabilities develop their potential as well as build a barrier-free environment with a view to enabling them to achieve full participation in both social life and personal growth, and to enjoy equal opportunities.

     Mr Cheung then visited the China Enterprise Confederation and met with its Executive Vice President, Mr Huang Haisong, and other senior representatives. Mr Cheung shared with them the latest developments in the work of labour rights protection and fostering harmonious employer-employee relations in Hong Kong. They also exchanged views on tripartite collaboration among the Government, employers and employees, and stepping up mutual communication on labour-related matters.

     In the afternoon, Mr Cheung visited the Office of the Government of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China in Beijing to exchange views with university students from Hong Kong who had taken up internship placement at the office during the summer holiday.

     Later in the day, Mr Cheung met with the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Bo, to update him on developments and new initiatives in the labour and welfare areas. Mr Cheung said the current-term HKSAR Government attaches great importance to poverty alleviation, elderly care, supporting the disadvantaged and promoting upward social mobility of youths. A wide range of new initiatives have been introduced in recent years including the Low-income Working Family Allowance Scheme newly launched in May.

     Mr Cheung concluded his three-day visit to Beijing this afternoon. He will be back in Hong Kong tonight.

Ends/Friday, July 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:21

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