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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, today (November 20) visited Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui and met with the chairlady of the owners' corporation (OC) to hear about the daily building management of the OC. He also toured around shops and guesthouses in the Mansions to learn more about their business operations and the living environment of ethnic minorities in the building.
Chungking Mansions was built in 1961. Last year, on its 50th anniversary, the building had its external wall repair works completed. At present, the building has about 120 licensed guesthouses and nearly 30 restaurants serving cuisines of different nations. It is estimated that tourists and residents of more than 120 nationalities stay in the building every year.
Mr Tsang also visited Jordan Road Government Primary School and saw how ethnic minority students learn Chinese calligraphy. These classes are organised by the Working Group on Ethnic Affairs under the Yau Tsim Mong District Council (YTMDC). A calligrapher teaches ethnic minority students in four primary and secondary schools in the district to enhance their Chinese writing skills and enrich their knowledge of Chinese culture.
Mr Tsang said, "Hong Kong is a diversified, inclusive and caring society. Ethnic minorities regard Hong Kong as their home and they are a part of the Hong Kong community. We should respect and support one another. The SAR Government has all along been caring about the needs of ethnic minorities and has rolled out various initiatives to help them adapt to the local community.
"To further enhance support for ethnic minorities we will soon set up one more support service centre in the Yau Tsim Mong District, which will offer language training to enhance both Chinese and English proficiency of the ethnic minorities, as well as provide integration programmes for them."
Mr Tsang also visited the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) Food-for-All Kitchen. Since its trial-run operation in June this year, the TWGHs Food-for-All Kitchen has been providing eligible grassroot families with $10 hot and healthy meals. It has already provided more than 15,500 hot meals to around 2,200 people from 760 eligible families.
"We will continue to work hand in hand with district groups and non-governmental bodies to provide suitable services for ethnic minorities and the underprivileged," Mr Tsang said.
Mr Tsang also took the opportunity to meet with members of the YTMDC and exchange views with them on local matters.
Ends/Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:11
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