The Road to the Development of Social Welfare in Hong Kong

The Road to the Development of Social Welfare in Hong Kong: The Historical Key Issues In Hong Kong, the development of the economy always remains at the top of the government's agenda. In the past, the government tried very hard to provide the best possible environment for business and industry, and it has continued to do so to the present time. The government's firm commitment to promoting Hong Kong's export and re-export to building up Hong Kong as a financial and commercial center, and a strong entrepot for its neighboring countries, makes Hong Kong a successful economic story. Yet, the government's obligation to develop social welfare (in its narrow sense) for the sick, the dependent and the destitute remains to be examined. Notably, the local, modern social welfare system was not built by the government but primarily by the non-governmental, Western-style social agencies with religious backgrounds before the 1960s. This paper aims to provide some necessary, background information for the readers to understand the government's past and present role in the areas of economic and social development. Such information will help readers to comprehend better the government's commitment to developing social services for the needy in the present as well as in the future. The information provided is also important for the readers to realize how the profession of social work has been developed.