Yau Tsim District (YTDIST) hosted a reception on March 8 in celebration of the fifth anniversary of Project Gemstone. Non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) members of the project were pleased to share their accomplishment with officers.

The project was launched in 2013 with an objective to enhance NEC Junior Police Call (JPC) members' Chinese language proficiency, facilitate their integration into the community and empower them to apply for police or other government posts. So far, it has helped 11 NEC members to find jobs in the Force, and two members to seek jobs in the Fire Services Department and the Correctional Services Department.

During the reception, two Gemstone members, Police Constable Khan Saheed-abbas and Police Constable (Auxiliary) Kaur Mukhjot, gave a summary of the project. Then other Gemstone members who work in the disciplined services shared their feelings and expressed their gratitude to the guests for their support.

Regional Commander of Kowloon West (RC KW) Cheuk Hau-yip awarded souvenirs to 13 Gemstone members who serve in the disciplined forces. YTDIST Commander Chow Yat-ming presented certificates of merits to seven volunteer physical training instructors for their efforts in assisting the Gemstone members. Mr Chow also thanked YTDIST JPC Honorary President Council, the Project Management Team, Police volunteers and other relevant parties for their contribution to the project.

Also present at the reception were former and other incumbent senior officers of Project Gemstone Management Team. They included RC of Hong Kong Island Yu Tat-chung, Deputy Regional Commander of KW Kwok Pak-chung, Mong Kok District Commander Kerry Carew, Tseung Kwan O District Commander Siu Kit-hung and Senior Superintendent of the Police Public Relations Branch Yu Hoi-kwan.