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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Wednesday) urged young people to play a more active role in the community and to realise their potential through participation in community affairs.

During his visit to Sha Tin today, Mr Tung encouraged the youth to take part in more activities that can help nurture civic responsibilities and a sense of belonging.

At the Breakthrough Youth Village in Siu Lek Yuen, Mr Tung took the opportunity to join a forum organised for youngsters. He was impressed by the participants' acute news sense and analytical power of topical issues.

The village, which started operation in 1996 under a team of young professionals, provides all-round educational, cultural and sports activities to young people.

In the gymnasium, the CE watched young people practising rock climbing, an activity aimed at nurturing self confidence and team spirit among participants.

Mr Tung also toured the Xyber cafe in the village and saw young people learning to communicate on the Internet.

At his first stop in Sha Tin, Mr Tung visited the Cheshire Home. He was briefed on the services provided by the hospital, covering extended care and specialised rehabilitation services to patients who suffer from temporary or permanent physical disabilities.

The Cheshire Home has been managed by the Hospital Authority since 1991. It is well equipped and offers comprehensive services to enable the patients to go through intensive and creative rehabilitation programmes in a homelike environment.

Before concluding the visit, the Chief Executive stopped by at Kwong Yuen Estate, a public housing estate with more than 17,000 tenants. He viewed the clock tower on arrival, took a walk through the sitting-out area and the commercial centre, and chatted with residents and shop owners.

The design of the estate's shopping mall won the "Meritorious Award" in 1992 at the annual design competition organised by the Institute of Hong Kong Architects.

The Chief Executive was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr David Lan; the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau; and the acting Sha Tin District Officer, Miss Angela Lee.

Photo: The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, saw young people learning to communicate on the Internet at the Xyber cafe in the Breakthrough Youth Village during his visit to Sha Tin.

End/Wednesday, November 11, 1998

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