Forming the Family Council will help the Government strengthen family solidarity and values through a holistic approach, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing says.

He said the council to be chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration will enable the Government to pool resources and expertise, and address problems from a cross-policy perspective with more effective co-ordination.

Mr Tsang said the council will also advocate cherishing the family as the main driver of social harmony and promote a family-based support network to forge closer and harmonious relations amongst relatives.

"The integration of family policies and related programmes across different bureaux and departments for individual age and gender sectors to ensure effective co-ordination is also one of the council's main tasks," he said.

The body will also advise the Government on formulating policies and strategies for supporting and strengthening the family, and will oversee the Women's Commission, the Commission on Youth and the Elderly Commission.

Mr Tsang said the council will need the community's support to achieve its goals.