********************************************************
Vice-President Xi Jinping this afternoon (July 6) inspected the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue in Sha Tin after earlier touring the Beas River facility.
Mr Xi first visited the Number 1 stable where he was briefed about its special features by the Secretary for Home Affairs Mr Tsang Tak-sing. The vice-president, accompanied by Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang, Chief Secretary for Administration Mr Henry Tang and Chief Executive Officer of the Equestrian Company Mr Lam Woon-kwong, went to the spectator stands where he enjoyed a panoramic view of the arena.
This was followed by a briefing in the media conference room, during which Mr Tsang, Mr Tang and Mr Lam each reported on the latest developments of preparation work in Hong Kong to ensure the success of the Olympic equestrian events.
Speaking at the briefing session, Mr Tsang said that a distinctive feature of the Beijing Olympics was community participation. The HKSAR Government had a comprehensive plan to involve the people of Hong Kong, in particular the younger generation, to participate actively and support the Beijing Olympics. Hong Kong would also embrace the Olympic spirit of Solidarity, Fair Play and Friendship and the concepts of Transcendence, Integration and Equality as enshrined in the Paralympic spirit to build a harmonious community.
Mr Tsang said more than 40 national teams and around 200 horses were expected to compete in the upcoming Equestrian Events of the Olympic and about 30 teams and 80 horses in the Paralympic Games. In preparation, the HKSAR Government had engaged about 40 government bureaus and departments and would conduct nearly 100 intra or inter department test runs to ensure the success of the Games.
Regarding the competition venues, the Chief Secretary for Administration said the core venue at Sha Tin could accommodate 18,000 spectators. All fitting-out works and the construction of temporary spectator stand, stables and supporting facilities had been completed. Setting-up work was in full swing and scheduled for completion in mid-July. The Beas River venue could also accommodate 18,000 spectators. Construction of the competition track had been completed, while construction of the fences was now in its final stage, he said.
Mr Tang said renovation and conversion works at the Olympic Village and Paralympic Village were near completion and they would officially open on July 26. According to the schedule, the first batch of horses and athletes will arrive in Hong Kong on July 26.
Of the supporting measures, the quarantine regime would be the most important, Mr Tang said. Hong Kong had internationally recognised quarantine protocol arrangements, world-class equine care facilities and support from professionals, which had earned the recognition of FEI (International Equestrian Federation) and participating countries.
He also said that the sales of tickets were satisfactory. Of the 100,000 tickets for sale in Hong Kong, about 80% had been snapped up.
Mr Tang said there was a comprehensive plan to deal with possible contingencies. Appropriate arrangements had been made in competition schedule, venue facilities and weather forecast to minimise the impact of weather on the horses and athletes.
After the briefing, Vice-President Xi said that the HKSAR Government had invested a lot of manpower and resources in the preparation of the equestrian events. It had made outstanding achievements and had built some first-class competition venues and facilities.
He pointed out that Hong Kong's participation in the Beijing Olympics was conducive to enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international city. It showcased the successful implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems". It would also help promote sport in Hong Kong.
Vice-President Xi hoped that Hong Kong would do its best to ensure the completion of all preparation work, noting that Hong Kong should use every available minute to prepare well for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.
He also hoped that during the Olympic period, Hong Kong would ensure a smooth traffic flow and a clean environment, safety in food supply, as well as security for the events. He encouraged Hong Kong to widely publicise the equestrian events and build a happy and harmonious atmosphere to make the events a bright example of the Olympic Games.
His next stop was the VIP lounge where he was received by President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China Mr Timothy Fok, and Chairman of Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled Mrs Jenny Fung.
In the VIP lounge, Mr Xi met athletes and coaches and chatted with them about their training and aspirations. He also met volunteers and expressed his appreciation of their dedication to voluntary services.
Before he left the Sha Tin venue, Mr Xi presented them with souvenirs to encourage them to work for their best results in the equestrian events.
This evening, Vice-President Xi attended a dinner hosted by the Chief Executive at Government House.
Ends/Sunday, July 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 22:25
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format
