Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), vowed here Wednesday to enhance the development of welfare services in a bid to foster harmony in the community.

To foster harmony in the community requires the concerted efforts of the government and all sectors of the community, the Hong Kong chief said in his annual policy address delivered here Wednesday.

The chief executive said the government would not turn blind eyes to social issues including employment difficulties for workers with low academic qualifications and skills, declining pay levels in certain professions, and adaptability problems for some new arrivals from the Chinese mainland.

The disadvantaged groups deserve appropriate care, said Tsang.

He added that the government will continue its partnership with the social welfare sector and endeavor to promote the development of welfare services.

The government has, through the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund and the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged, supported various projects, and actively promoted partnership with the business community, the social welfare sector and community organizations, he said.

To further address the poverty problem, said Tsang, the government has set up the Commission on Poverty to coordinate relevant policies and implement district-based poverty alleviation measures. The government will keep helping people capable of work to move from welfare to self-reliance.

The government will continue to implement various social policies, including mobilizing the strengths of the community to provide an opportunity for healthy and balanced development for our children and youth, Tsang said.

The government will continue to provide extra support to children and youth of poor families or with special needs, to ensure they have a proper opportunity to develop, he added.

The government will also continue to study the needs of the ethnic minorities and render appropriate assistance, said the chief executive.

"We will strengthen community support services to people with disabilities and their families," Tsang said.

The government will provide severely disabled people, includingtetraplegia patients, with transitional residence, day training, nursing and support services.

For the disabled residents in rehabilitation facilities, said Tsang, the government will introduce a new scheme for visiting doctors to take care of their medical needs.

The government has strived to provide the aged residents with amore pleasant social environment, said Tsang.

Editor: Yan