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In The 2021 Policy Address announced today, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government would continue to strengthen its support for sports development. Dr Lam Tai-fai SBS JP, Chairman of the HKSI, expressed heartfelt appreciation for it. He said that this Policy Address is forward-looking, comprehensive, insightful, and in synergy with current needs. He believed Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam GBM GBS would lead Hong Kong to embark on a new journey, with this Policy Address comprehensively, accurately and practically implementing the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. The Policy Address outlined new opportunities to resolve deep-rooted social conflicts and guarantee long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Dr Lam said that although the HKSAR Government encountered numerous challenges and difficulties in its governance in the past four years, the Chief Executive rose to the difficulties and brought order out of chaos. Her efforts had been affirmed and supported by the Central Government. Following the enactment of the National Security Law and the improvement of the electoral system, the Chief Executive had fully seized the opportunity to reinstate the “One Country, Two Systems” on the right track, catching up with the fast track National 14^th Five-Year Plan and the development opportunities in the Greater Bay Area.

Dr Lam thanked the HKSAR Government for its recognition and significant support to sports development. The increased resources to the HKSI would facilitate the continuous development of the sports sector and allow Hong Kong elite athletes to achieve excellent results. The Policy Address proposed to establish a Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Dr Lam appreciated the Chief Executive’s determination to enhance the status of sports. However, he believed that the establishment of a Sports Development Bureau would be more effective in promoting the development of sports in Hong Kong and fully utilising its unique soft power.

This year was definitely a bumper year for the Hong Kong team. With three Major Games being held, including the Tokyo Olympic Games in July, the Paralympic Games in August, and the National Games in September, the Hong Kong team overcame all difficulties of the pandemic and won 18 medals in total. Coupled with the unprecedented purchase of the broadcasting rights of the Tokyo Olympic Games by the HKSAR Government, it successfully drove the city’s attention to the development of sports and united the society and members of the public. The HKSI will fully support and cooperate with the HKSAR Government in preparing for the next National Games which will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau in 2025.