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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, has spent his Christmas Eve visiting children in a Po Leung Kuk's house and senior citizens at a community centre in Shau Kei Wan.

"Children and young people are the driving force in our community's development. The Government will make every effort to push ahead with the holistic development of youth and continue to provide good education. We will strive to create more opportunities for our younger generation to grow healthily and to equip them for building our community in future," he said.

"I hope that all members of our community, be they senior citizens or the younger generation, will play a greater part in serving the community. With our concerted efforts, we can build a harmonious, united and caring society," he said.

Accompanied by the Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Mr Christopher Chan Yiu Chong, Mr Tung visited the Group's Fong Shu Chuen Social Service Building and joined a Christmas party at its district elderly community centre.

About 30 elderly volunteers and 30 elderly members gave a warm welcome to the Chief Executive. Together they played games, enjoyed a magic performance and listened to Christmas carols. Mr Tung brought a Christmas cake to share with them and presented a thermal flask as a gift to each of the residents.

Mr Tung officiated at the opening ceremony of this social service building three years ago and visited the elderly staying at the care and attention home at that time. Today he had a brief reunion with one of the residents, a 102-year-old woman.

Then Mr Tung chatted with nine frontline social workers and volunteers aged 65 to 78 to learn more about their work and needs. He thanked the elderly volunteers in particular for their contribution to society.

"I am pleased to see the elderly volunteers actively serving the community. The Government will continue to promote healthy ageing, encourage the elderly to pursue lifelong learning and to participate in social activities.

"It is always one of my policy objectives to improve the quality of life for the elderly. We will strive to ensure they enjoy a sense of security, a sense of belonging and a feeling of health and worthiness," he added.

The number of subsidised residential care places has increased nearly 60%, from 16,000 to 26,900, over the past seven years. The standard of service of these residential homes has improved substantially with all the 740 residential homes having been licensed.

Mr Tung then visited the Po Leung Kuk houses for residential children at Causeway Bay. More than 400 children and teenagers aged up to 18 who face family problems are staying at the Kuk's houses or small group homes where they can enjoy family love and care.

He joined 20 children of one of the houses in reading story-books, chatted with them and enjoyed their singing. He gave them teddy bears, a Christmas cake and other gifts. He was accompanied by the Chairman of Po Leung Kuk, Mr Henry Tan, during the visit.

"Early childhood provides the foundation for developing the capabilities and interest in lifelong learning. We will endeavour to nurture our younger generation and will not let our children be deprived of the chance to education for financial reasons," Mr Tung said.

The Chief Executive wished every Hong Kong resident a Merry Christmas.

Ends/Friday, December 24, 2004

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