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    Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the opening plenary session of the 88th Lions Clubs International Convention at the Hong Kong Coliseum this morning (June 29):

President Kusiak, international officers, Lions, ladies and gentlemen,

    I am honoured to speak at this opening plenary session of the 88th Lions Clubs International Convention, but I am also somewhat humbled. Tomorrow will mark the 80th anniversary of the extraordinary speech delivered by Helen Keller in Cedar Point, Ohio - the speech that challenged and inspired the Lions to dedicate themselves to the cause of the visually impaired. It would be impossible for me this morning to match the power and passion of Ms Keller's appeal to the Lions in 1925, so I will not even attempt it.

    Allow me, instead, on behalf of the Government and the people of Hong Kong, to extend a warm welcome to you all. It is an extremely rare privilege for our city to host the Lions Clubs International Convention for a second time. This gathering has such significance that Hongkong Post has issued a souvenir cover and special postmark to commemorate it. I know that the officers and members of Lions District 303 have worked diligently for several years to prepare for this global mega-convention. Holding it here is a vote of confidence not only in District 303, but also in Hong Kong, Asia's world city.

    Hong Kong is a fast-moving city, and we have been through a great many changes since you last gathered here in 1992. There was of course the departure of the British administration in 1997, and the Asian financial crisis shortly after that. Two years ago we endured the SARS outbreak, which really tested our confidence. These days, we are enjoying a very strong economic recovery.

    But the most significant change has been the emergence of China's economy. Thanks to our proximity to the Mainland and our strategic location at the heart of Asia, thanks to our sophisticated infrastructure, and thanks to our expertise in providing business services, Hong Kong has become a leading international banking, financial and logistics hub. More overseas companies have regional headquarters here than in any other Asian city. There are flights from Hong Kong International Airport to all major Mainland and overseas cities. We are within five hours' flying time of half the world's population. To maintain the economic momentum, we are strengthening our transportation links with the Mainland, particularly the Pearl River Delta just across the boundary, which has become known as the "factory of the world". For example, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor will double the capacity of cross-boundary traffic when it is completed next year. And the biggest cross-boundary infrastructure project of them all, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, is now in an advanced stage of planning.

    We also have an exciting array of new tourist attractions coming on stream in the coming months, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360 on Lantau Island, and Hong Kong Wetland Park in the northwest New Territories. So, we hope you will visit us again before too long, and definitely bring along your families to discover the magic of Hong Kong.

    But, ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is more than a global financial and trading hub and tourist destination. We are also a city of charity and compassion. International service and charitable organisations have found a receptive home here since our early days. Indeed, the Lions started in Hong Kong 50 years ago. As Mr Frankie Yeung said earlier, Lions District 303 is "small but mighty". The Lions of District 303 are actively involved in a wide range of community services, from the Lions' eye bank, to environmental education, to youth development. Moreover, as an organisation of caring, service-oriented people, our local Lions continue to contribute in the international arena. Two recent examples: aid for the victims of last December's South Asian tsunami tragedy, and the SightFirst China Action programme in the Mainland, which the World Health Organisation has described as a model project for sight conservation in developing countries. I am sure we will hear more about this splendid programme as the week progresses.

    Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to wish the Lions Clubs International Convention 2005 great success. And to all our visitors, please enjoy your stay. I hope you find time to savour our excellent cuisine and partake in our world-class shopping. And I hope you bring home to your family, friends and business associates a positive experience of Hong Kong's hospitality.

    Thank you very much.

Ends/Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:24

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