Although Hong Kong ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1994, the government is still undecided about setting up a children's commission.

'Children's affairs are a sensitive issue in Hong Kong. Officials are worried that some people might use children to gain sympathy from the community for their own interests,' said Billy Wong, executive secretary of the Hong Kong Committee on Children's Rights.

'The government is also afraid that a children's commission will challenge them like the Ombudsman.'

With the well-being of 1.3 million children at stake, Ms Wong is confident that the motion filed by legislator Fernando Cheung will be passed by Legco.

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