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Following is the speech (English only) by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, at the Opening Ceremony of the Rehearsal Camp for the 10th Anniversary Celebration Tour of the Asian Youth Orchestra this morning:

Mr Pontzious, Mr Davies, Mr Ng and members of the Asian Youth Orchestra,

It is a great pleasure for me to be here today to meet so many young talents and to represent the Hong Kong SAR Government to welcome the Asian Youth Orchestra faculty to our wonderful city.

The last time I spoke to you was in 1995, as you prepared for a tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. Two years later you were here to perform during the historical moments of Hong Kong's reunification with China, playing the premiere performances of Tan Dun's Symphony 1997 with Yo-Yo Ma. Last year you represented Hong Kong and all of Asia as you toured Europe for the second time in just five years.

Your growing reputation speaks well of the education and training you receive in the countries you represent. I understand that you were handpicked from among close to 2,000 candidates. What a thrill then to get that notice in the mail saying that you are in!

There is no doubt that you all love music, and no doubt that the love of music, like any other love - grows by being shared.

That is why the Asian Youth Orchestra is such a wonderful idea in action. It brings together so many young lovers of music from all over the region to share their pleasure and enthusiasm for music with each other, and then to share their music with so many audiences.

All of you who have come to this rehearsal camp know how much you owe to Richard Pontzious and his marvellous team. Many people are looking forward with expectation to the enjoyment of the results of your work, and on their behalf I join with you in giving thanks to Richard and his helpers, and thanks, also, to all those companies and individuals who have given time, money and other support to this programme. The Asian Youth Orchestra, brought together for a season each year, drawing together people from so many countries and cities, sharing together ideas, vitality and influence, is one of the stars illuminating the modern life of our region. It is an invaluable investment in the cultural life of our communities and an example of co-operation and growing together that could be followed with benefits in many other aspects of our mutual relations.

I trust that all of you will take from this season together, great riches of friendship and experience for your future life and work with music. I wish all those who have made this Orchestra a reality, lasting enjoyment of their endeavours. "Concord of sweet sounds is the most powerful weapon for moving peoples' hearts". May you move many hearts on your forthcoming tour.

End/Monday, July 12, 1999

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