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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, today (March 13) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Sai Kung New Public Pier and visited a small offshore island in Sai Kung Hoi, Yim Tin Tsai, to learn about its heritage and ecological development.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Sai Kung District Council, Mr Ng Sze-fuk; the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr John Chai; and the Sai Kung District Officer, Mr Peter Chan, Mr Tsang unveiled a commemorative plaque at the new public pier.
With tourism flourishing in Sai Kung, the old Sai Kung pier, which was built in the early 1980s, can no longer meet the current needs. Mr Tsang said the new public pier would help relieve the busy schedules of the old pier and further promote tourism in Sai Kung, bringing about economic benefits to the area.
Mr Tsang pointed out that the construction of the new pier, a Rural Public Works programme, began in August, 2007 and was completed early this year, taking only one and a half years. Supervised by the Civil Engineering and Development Department and with full support and active co-ordination from the Sai Kung District Council, Sai Kung Rural Committee and various district groups, the project was carried out smoothly.
：The completion of the new pier reflects the flexibility of the Rural Public Works Programme and the Government・s implementation of the people-based principle in improving district facilities and enhancing the quality of life through partnership with district councils,； Mr Tsang said.
：We will continue to work closely with different sectors, plan and take forward more projects which will be beneficial to the rural community. For the sustained development of local districts, we will also upgrade the facilities and improve the living environment of rural areas.；
Leaving from the pier, Mr Tsang took a boat trip to Yim Tin Tsai to see the heritage and ecological features of the island. He visited the island・s landmark, St Joseph・s Chapel, which was built in 1890. The chapel won the Award of Excellence in the 2005 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards.
Mr Tsang then walked along the eco-trails on the island to see the variety of plant species before leaving.
Ends/Friday, March 13, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:45
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