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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, witnessed the young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao completing a meaningful cultural exchange programme at a closing ceremony held in Guangzhou today (July 20).
Mr Tsang met and talked with the young people from the three places before the ceremony for the ˇ§Guangdong-HK-Macao Youth Cultural Tourˇ¨. He said he was glad to know that the young people had learnt a lot from the tour.
Encouraging over one hundred young people who attended the ceremony, Mr Tsang said: ˇ§During the nine-day tour, all of you have shown vigour and enthusiasm. Apart from making new and invaluable acquaintances, you have broadened your horizons through visiting many historical and cultural sites in the three places and joining cultural seminars. I hope you will continue with your pursuit in the field of culture, contributing to the promotion and conservation of the culture in the three places.ˇ¨
Since November 2002, the Department of Culture of Guangdong Province, the Home Affairs Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR government have established a framework for strengthening cultural co-operation within the Greater Pearl River Delta region. The ˇ§2009-2013 Greater Pearl River Delta Cultural Exchange and Co-operation Development Planˇ¨ was signed at the 10th Greater Pearl River Delta Cultural Co-operation Meeting this February, establishing collaboration in six areas, namely, performing arts, cultural information, museum and relics, libraries, Cantonese opera, and cultural (creative) industries.
ˇ§We are determined to carry forward the various proposals for collaboration. As people are the key to furthering co-operation, particularly cultural co-operation, in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, I look forward to organising more youth exchange activities in various forms in the three places, with a view to further promoting youth and cultural development,ˇ¨ Mr Tsang added.
The nine-day ˇ§Guangdong-HK-Macao Youth Cultural Tourˇ¨ was organised by the Home Affairs Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the Department of Culture of Guangdong Province and the Tertiary Education Services Office of Macao SAR.
In Hong Kong, the delegation visited Noahˇ¦s Ark and the Hong Kong Museum of History, and attended cultural seminars to experience the versatility of the Hong Kong lifestyle, which is characterised by the blend of Chinese and Western culture. During their stay in Macao, the delegation visited the Macao Museum, Macau Grand Prix Museum, Macau Wine Museum and other heritage sites, and had exchanges with university students.
The delegation then travelled to Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan and Kaiping in Guangdong Province, paying visits to a number of museums and historical cultural spots.
Ends/Monday, July 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:22
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