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The following is issued on behalf of the Summer Youth Programme Committee :

The 30th Anniversary of the Summer Youth Programme was opened by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Sunday) at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

Launched since 1969, the Summer Youth Programme entered its 30th Anniversary in 1998. A new slogan "Hong Kong, Our Home - Let's Serve and Share" was adopted by the Summer Youth Programme Committee this year to encourage young people to serve the community while enjoying summer activities.

Today's Opening Ceremony cum variety show was broadcast live by TVB and Metro Radio. Mr Tung together with the Committee Chairman, Mr Norman Lo, the Committee's 30th Anniversary Celebration Sub-committee Chairman, Mr Wilfred Lam, Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr David Lan and the Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Alan Li, jointly officiated at a switch-on ceremony.

Accompanied by Mr Lo and the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau, Mr Lan received the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust's $19 million sponsorship from Mr Li at a cheque presentation that followed.

Three Summer Youth Programme ambassadors, Mr Edmond Leung, Miss Miriam Yeung and Mr Eason Chan, sang a newly composed theme song.

Mr Lan then launched a new "Hong Kong, Our Home" logo and the theme song for the Civic Education Campaign at the Ceremony.

Before live broadcast of the Opening Ceremony started, Mr Lo, Mr Lan and Mr Li delivered their speeches. Mrs Lau presented souvenirs to the three Summer Youth Programme ambassadors and other sponsors, including the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust, Shell Hong Kong Limited, Swire Coca-Cola Hong Kong Limited, Chevalier (Internet) Limited and Hop Shing Loong Lighting Limited.

With a budget of $63 million, the 1998 Summer Youth Programme will organise about 15,000 activities for 1.2 million young people to spend a funful and meaningful summer - to tie in with this year's theme "Hong Kong, Our Home - Let's Serve and Share".

This year's activities would centre round serving the community. Following an oath-taking ceremony held earlier, volunteers from 18 districts and members of the Power of Youth had started taking part in services for three main targets, the disabled, elderly living on their own and new arrivals from the mainland. The Power of Youth comprised outstanding young persons who had taken part in past Summer Youth activities.

Detailed information on Summer Youth Programme can be obtained from nearby District Offices.

End/Sunday, July 5, 1998

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