Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Lam said the Race Discrimination Bill is the result of extensive consultations and careful drafting, which aims to make racial discrimination and harassment in prescribed areas and vilification on the grounds of race unlawful, and to prohibit serious vilification on that ground.

The bill also aims to ban racial discrimination and harassment in six areas of activities, mainly including employment; education; provision of goods, facilities, services and premises; election and appointment to public bodies.

"We wish to assure our ethnic minorities that the government is concerned about their rights and well-being. The prosperity of Hong Kong is founded, among other things, on its cosmopolitan nature and contribution of its people from different background and ethnic origins. Racial harmony is an important cornerstone for social harmony," Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho said.