Dragon soars at international kite festival

Brand Hong Kong's distinctive 'flying dragon' took to the skies at an international kite festival in Hong Kong on December 16.

Around 3,000 kite lovers joined a fun day of the Hong Kong International Kite Festival 2001, held at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, Sha Tin, and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).

The Kite Festival was divided into three parts : Local Kite Flying Competition, a Kite Flying Fun Day, and Kite Making Workshops.

The Fun Day was the festival highlight and included the launch of a large Brand Hong Kong kite jointly flown by Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Paul Leung Sai-wah, Deputy Director (Leisure Services) Mr Ho Wing-him, Deputy Director of Information Services (Overseas), Mr Kerry McGlynn and Legislative Council member Dr David Chu Yu-lin.

About 2,500 smaller kites bearing Brand Hong Kong's distinctive dragon visual identity were handed out to participants who filled the skies with flying dragons.

During the Fun Day, 15 teams from Hong Kong, Macau, China, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan vied for honours in an International Kite Flying competition.

Following the competition, local and international kite-flying masters demonstrated their skills while instructors gave novices some handy tips on the best kite flying techniques.

Apart from the Fun Day and kite flying competitions, seven workshops were held between December 2 and 16 for those interested in how to make their own kites.

Ends/Sunday, December 16, 2001