DAB e-WORD

The Ethnic Harmony Variety Show
A Celebration of Togetherness

Guests join in an upbeat opening ceremony

One of the visions of the DAB is to promote the well-being of the various ethnic groups, thereby promoting social harmony. Every year the party organizes a variety show during which performers of many different nationalities showcase songs and dances from their home countries. The performance is a celebration of Hong Kong's multi-ethnic community and the DAB's successful work with minority groups. This year, the Ethnic Harmony Variety Show was held in the Henry G. Leong (Yau Ma Tei) Community Centre on 6 July.

A crowd of over 500 people turned out for the evening, including many honoured guests such as the Secretary General of the DAB, Kan Chi Ho; the Director General of the Social Work Department in the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in HKSAR, Zhang Tie Fu; the Consul of India, Hem. K. Jain; the Consul General of Indonesia, Ferry Adamhar; the Vice Consul of the Philippines, Lorena Joy P. Banagodos; the President of the Khalsa Diwan-Sikh Temple in Hong Kong, Dhillon Shangara Singh; the Secretary of the S. S. Guru Gobind Singh Education Trust in Hong Kong, Batra Gulbir Singh; the Chairman of the Incorporated Trustees of The Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, Hameed Jalal, etc.

In his welcoming speech, Albert Lam, Guest of Honour and Chairman of the DAB's Ethnic Minorities Committee, set the tone for the evening when he spoke of how integrating the various ethnic groups into society is essential in maintaining harmony in Hong Kong. He noted, "As a political party devoted to the betterment and progress of Hong Kong, we are committed to promoting racial harmony and mutual understanding between peoples of different racial or national origins."

The show itself, which drew support from a wide range of parties and organisations, consisted of fourteen exciting and educational cultural performances from China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The climax was a yoga demonstration which drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Before the happy guests departed for home, Lam pledged to continue to serve the ethnic groups of Hong Kong, reflecting their concerns in party policies. "After all," declared Mr. Lam, "we are all one family!"

Albert Lam delivers a welcome speech

Yoga demonstration

Nepali dance

Sri Lankan folk dance

Indian dance