The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, today (December 5) visited Kwun Tong District to better understand livelihood issues and development plans of the district.

     Accompanied by the Kwun Tong District Officer, Miss Pauline Wong, Mr Tang visited a recently opened shopping mall and was briefed by the District Planning Officer/Kowloon, Mr Eric Yue, on the future development plan of the district.

     Mr Tang then visited Yan Oi Court and Yue Man Square. The Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), Mr Barry Cheung Chun-yuen, and its Managing Director, Mr Billy Lam Chung-lun, briefed Mr Tang on the redevelopment scheme of the Kwun Tong Town Centre.
 
     Mr Tang learned that the URA had consulted the public extensively on the scheme.  The URA would strive to preserve a vibrant community and avoid wall effect in building design.  Mr Tang said he hoped that in carrying out the scheme the URA would fully balance the need for community development and addressing environmental concerns.

     Mr Tang then visited HKCWC Madam Wong Chan Sook Ying Memorial Care and Attention Home for the Aged in Yau Tong.  He chatted with the elderly residents there and was pleased to learn that the centre had provided "continuum care" to help the elderly psychologically, physically and socially.

     "It was a Chinese traditional virtue to take good care of the elderly.  If for various reasons some families could not take care of their elderly members, the society should ensure that our senior citizens are given proper care," said Mr Tang.  He appreciated the efforts of the centre's staff to provide a good living environment for the elderly.

     Mr Tang then visited Lei Yue Mun where Miss Wong briefed him on the Kwun Tong District Office's environmental improvement works in Lei Yue Mun and efforts to help promote Lei Yue Mun.  The Tourism Commission would also build a public berthing facility and enhance the waterfront in 2009.  All these initiatives would help promote the tourism and catering industries in Lei Yue Mun, and reflect the government's determination to revitalise the area.

     Accompanied by the guides of Dream Land, Mr Tang had a taste of the tradition and history of the Lei Yue Mun area.  Funded by the Home Affairs Department under the Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme, the guided tour project is a community-based social enterprise established by the Christian Family Service Centre to promote the living culture of Lei Yue Mun.  It employs local residents as tour guides and offers souvenirs with local flavour.

     Mr Tang praised the initiative to give visitors a better understanding of the unique features of the area.  "The project not only creates employment opportunities for local residents, but also helps the community to develop continuously.  This is in line with the government's objective of supporting social enterprises - helping people to help themselves," said Mr Tang. He wished the Dream Land project every success and hoped that the government, the business sector and NGOs would work together to facilitate the development of social enterprises.

Ends/Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:25

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