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Following is the speech (English only)delivered by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, at the Olympic Council of Asia meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 23, 2000 (Rio de Janeiro time):

Mr Chairman, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very grateful for this opportunity to present Hong Kong's case for hosting the 2006 Asian Games.

We in Hong Kong have set our hearts to make this the best ever Asian Games. Like the athletes who compete in the Asian Games, we are prepared to dedicate ourselves to bring the excitement and spirit of Asia's premier sporting event to Hong Kong.

Why Hong Kong? Let me try to explain how we feel.

For 50 years, Hong Kong has sent teams to participate in the Asian Games. We have had our share of successes and we have benefited greatly from participation. We feel that the time has come to give something back. And that is why we are proposing to host the Asian Games.

Hong Kong is at the heart of Asia. Our past growth and our future prospects are inextricably bound with Asia's destiny and fortunes. And so it is very natural that we wish to showcase to the world what Asians are able to achieve.

We would like to make our special contribution to the Olympic movement and to emulate the ideals that the Olympic movement represents. We want to create Asian heroes to inspire our community. And there is, in our view, no better way to do this than to bring the 2006 Asian Games to Hong Kong.

The Games will be a tremendous boost to sport in our community. It will be a golden opportunity to recognize the talents of our sportsmen and our sportswomen. And for many of our athletes, the ability to be able to compete at home in front of families and relatives will be a once in a life time experience.

Many of you know Hong Kong to be one of the most crowded cities in the world, a dynamic hub of trade and finance. But not many realize that in fact half of our territory is country parks, criss-crossed by trails and paths used by our joggers, our triathletes and our runners together with friends and families who simply want a leisurely stroll or a vigorous walk.

We are blessed with a fine deep water harbour, surrounded by the South China Sea where our Olympic-class sailboarders, our rowers and our swimmers are able to hone their skills. Our swimmers, our squash players, our badminton players and our soccer players first learn a taste of competition in facilities that are a part of every neighbourhood in Hong Kong.

We would like in the coming few years to build upon the facilities that we already can provide up to international standards. We can provide the facilities and the venues; we have the necessary financial and human resources; we have the commitment; we have the locality at the heart of Asia to be able to provide for the best Asian Games ever.

I realize of course that Hong Kong is not the only territory or country bidding for the Asian Games. But whoever wins the honour and the privilege of hosting this event, I am sure the Olympic Council of Asia will be looking for total commitment for the ability to deliver and, at the end of the day, for the sportsmanship to be raised across the whole Asian region and for a good time to be had by all. With the total commitment of the Hong Kong government and the entire community behind our bid to host the Asian Games, I think Hong Kong can promise all that and more. We ask that you give us this chance to demonstrate our ability. Thank you very much.

End/Wednesday, May 24, 2000

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