In harmony: Students from 22 schools receive grants at the Harmony Scholarships Presentation Ceremony.

Under Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam urges every sector to promote racial equality and continue fostering a culture of mutual respect and equal opportunities for all races.

At the Harmony Scholarships Presentation Ceremony today Mr Tam said the Government is firmly committed to providing an open environment for people of all racial and cultural backgrounds to thrive and make their best contribution to society.

The scholarship aims to instill in the minds of the next generation the importance of merit and equal opportunities. At today's ceremony, 61 scholarships were awarded to students from 22 schools.

The Government also formed the Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony and the Race Relations Unit in 2001 to enhance support for ethnic minorities. The unit's functions have been extended to cover education, promotional, cultural and community participation programmes, including the popular Cross-cultural Learning Programme, the Chinese & English Language Programme and school talks.