The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, visited Yuen Long District this afternoon (September 8) to officiate at the opening ceremony of a community hall in the district. He also called on a social enterprise café and a primary school, and met with Yuen Long District Council (YLDC) members.
 
     Accompanied by the Chairman of the YLDC, Mr Shum Ho-kit, and the District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Edward Mak, Mr Lau first officiated at the opening ceremony of Yuen Long Town East Community Hall.
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lau said Yuen Long District is a diverse region integrating urban and rural areas where tradition and modernity mesh in many ways. The youth, ethnic minority and new arrival populations in Yuen Long are high, giving rise to strong demand for community facilities in the district.
 
     "Yuen Long Town East Community Hall is the sixth community hall in the district and will help to provide an additional venue for local organisations to hold various activities, fulfilling an aim to build social cohesion among different sectors," Mr Lau said.
 
     Situated at 9 Long Yat Road in Yuen Long, the well-equipped community hall, which is next to West Rail Yuen Long Station and bus stations, has a multi-purpose hall with seating capacity for 450 persons. There is also a conference room with seating capacity for 30 persons, which can be converted into a multi-purpose room if needed. The community hall has been open on a trial run since mid-June.
 
     Mr Lau also met with YLDC members to exchange views on various district issues and matters of concern.
 
     Mr Lau then visited Pok Oi Café, a social enterprise in Tin Heng Estate, Tin Shui Wai, run with the support of the Home Affairs Department's Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme. He learned about its services and chatted with the young baristas. Pok Oi Café strives to train young baristas and provides on-the-job training and internship for youths in Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. The café provides food and drinks and block booking for parties, thereby enhancing the marketing and customer communication skills of the young trainees.
 
     Before concluding his visit, Mr Lau proceeded to Tin Shui Wai Methodist Primary School to meet with representatives of the school and the Yuen Long District Sports Association.

Ends/Friday, September 8, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:56

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