Chief Executive John Lee said on Sunday he hopes to change the life trajectories of more grassroots youth with targeted poverty alleviation measures.

In a video posted on Facebook, Lee said he was pleasantly surprised to see a student he visited at a Sham Shui Po subdivided flat three years ago become a violin performer during the National Day celebration variety show this year.

Pointing out that improving people’s livelihoods is the ultimate goal of his administration, he noted the student participated in the first round of the Strive and Rise Programme, which provides mentorship and development support for secondary students from low-income families.

Lee added that he is proud of the student and recalled the visit in 2022 when the student shared his dream of playing the violin.

“You were sitting on a bed at the time and we talked with little eye contact. But now you really made me proud. You are confident when performing on stage with great skills. You’ve also realised your dream as I remember you said you enjoy music,” Lee said.

“You still have a lot of opportunities and bigger platforms in the future. Every young person can have such a transformation, this moves me deeply.”

Lee also said that he has proposed to enrich activities of the Strive and Rise Alumni Club with HK$10 million funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.