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Following is a speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, at the launch of the Millennium Train at the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Central Station today (Friday).

Mr So, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to thank the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) for spreading the dragon spirit to members of the public. I am sure that this colourful train body will allow those people who commuted through the Tsuen Wan line day in and day out to share the joy of this historic moment.

We are all eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new millennium. The dragon, which symbolised hope, vitality, resilience and confidence, is aptly representative of the new century. As we move into the new millennium, Hong Kong will meet the many challenges ahead with the dragon spirit at heart.

To celebrate the advent of the millennium, we have planned a series of activities in the coming 12 months. The highlight event will be the spectacular Millennium Extravaganza to be held on December 31 at the Happy Valley, featuring international food bazaars, lantern display, dragon dances and performances by well-known local and international artists. It will bring tremendous joy and excitement to tens of thousands of people. A special Millennium Cup Horse Race, probably the first race in the world in the new year, will be held in the early hours of January 1 2000. Proceeds from the Millennium Cup will go to charities. Apart from this event, the Government, the business sector and community groups have also organised a number of special celebration programmes. These include the world's biggest tea party, Trans-continental Joint Broadcasting with Chinese Communities, Equestrian 'opera', Millennium Conferences on education, culture and humanity, the youth project - Dragon at the Great Wall, and Saltimbanco by Cirque du Soleil, etc.

At the district level, the Provisional Urban Council, the Provisional Regional Council, the 18 District Offices and many private organisations are also actively involved in welcoming the new millennium. I would like to thank them all on behalf of the Government in supporting our initiatives and in uplifting Hong Kong's spirit in their own creative manner.

To mark the beginning of a new era, a number of key permanent facilities will be launched by the Government in stages beginning from the year 2000. These include the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of History, an International Wetland Park and a Chinese Cuisine Training Institute. These facilities have their unique contribution in protecting the environment, developing tourism, encouraging exchanges with the Mainland and overseas, and promoting arts and culture. These projects underlined the Government's long-term policy vision.

We hope the wide-ranging activities will cater to the diversity and taste of Hong Kong people as well as visitors from all over the world, and allow each one of us to participate. In addition, the permanent facilities are designed to provide lasting benefits to the community.

I am confident that Hong Kong will remain a most vibrant international city in the 21st century, with advance technological development and a versatile, resilient workforce. Like this MTR train, we will forge our way ahead with speed and vigour; and like the Dragon, we will maintain our agility and drive to capture new opportunities that emerge in the new millennium.

Thank you.

Photo:Photo shows Mrs Chan pulling the lever to open the train doors and marked the launching of the millennium train into passenger service.

End/Friday, November 12, 1999

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