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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, and the Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Xu Qin, today (August 9) inspected the arrangements at the Hong Kong International Airport to facilitate travel to and from Shenzhen via Hong Kong for participants of the 26th Summer Universiade Shenzhen.
During the visit accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Stanley Hui, and representatives from relevant departments, Mr Tang and Mr Xu inspected the dedicated reception desks, promotional decorations and signage for the Universiade, and were briefed on the convenient travel measures and passenger clearance facilities for the Universiade staff.
Mr Tang and Mr Xu then inspected the parking bays for the Universiade special coaches to gain a better understanding of the co-ordination and liaison services provided by Hong Kong volunteers for coaches, as well as the special traffic arrangements for the Universiade at the control points of Shenzhen Bay and Lok Ma Chau.
In addition, they were briefed by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Volunteers Association, Mr Adrian Yip, on the recruitment and work of Hong Kong volunteers. They also chatted with staff and volunteers and praised them for their hard work in supporting the Universiade.
On behalf of the Shenzhen Government and the Universiade, Mr Xu thanked the relevant organisations and persons in Hong Kong for their support of the Universiade.
Mr Tang said the Universiade is another premier international sporting event that our country has hosted since the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. He noted that Hong Kong, as a major aviation hub in the region, could provide efficient and quality services in assisting the participants to travel to and from Shenzhen via Hong Kong, which is an indication of our strong support for the Universiade and the close co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Mr Tang also wished the Universiade every success and hoped athletes would do their best in the games.
Universiade 2011 will be held in Shenzhen from August 12 to 23. Over 12,000 athletes and sports officials from over 150 countries or regions are expected to participate in the games, and about 6,000 participants from over 60 countries will travel to the Universiade in Shenzhen via Hong Kong.
A joint working group was set up between the two governments to facilitate travel to and from Shenzhen via Hong Kong. After months of intensive planning, a series of comprehensive measures were formulated to ensure seamless hospitality arrangements between the two places.
Upon arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport, the participants will pass through dedicated reception desks and channels before they take vehicles arranged by the Universiade to Shenzhen via Shenzhen Bay or Lok Ma Chau.
In addition, the Hong Kong Volunteers Association has trained some 860 volunteers in Hong Kong, of which 220 will provide support in the venues in Shenzhen. About 640 volunteers have been assigned to the Hong Kong International Airport, the special coaches and the control points to provide services to participants in various aspects, including immigration, baggage claim, translation and transportation between August 1 and 26.
Ends/Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:46
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