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The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Carrie Yau, led a delegation to Beijing today (February 18). The delegation called on the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and had a meeting with the Executive Vice-President of BOCOG, Mr Yang Shuan.
BOCOG and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region signed a document on December 22 last year on the arrangements for setting up Olympic Live Sites in Hong Kong. On behalf of BOCOG and the HKSARG respectively, BOCOG Executive Vice-President, Mr Jiang Xiaoyu, and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow, signed the document in Beijing. Mrs Yau witnessed the signing ceremony.
Mrs Yau said she was pleased to take the opportunity to update BOCOG on Hong Kongˇ¦s preparations for the equestrian events and the arrangements for receiving the Olympic flame and the torch relay between late April and early May. The delegation also introduced the concepts and plans for setting up Olympic Live Sites in Hong Kong.
Mrs Yau said, ˇ§As an Olympic co-host city, Hong Kong will definitely make the best of the occasion to provide a platform for members of the public to participate in high quality cultural programmes and interactive entertainment activities while enjoying the Games. The International Olympic Committee Treasure Exhibition Hong Kong Tour, which is to close today and has attracted many visitors, is one of the good examples. People not only have a chance to learn about the long history of the Olympics by viewing the precious collections from past Olympic Games, but can also know more about how the Games have raised the quality of people and helped promote friendship among nations and countries.ˇ¨
ˇ§We will spare no effort in making sure that the Olympic Live Sites will fulfill the requirements of BOCOG,ˇ¨ she said.
The Olympic Live Sites will be set up in Victoria Park and Sha Tin Park during the Beijing Olympic Games period from August 8 to 24, 2008. A Live Site is also planned at Sha Tin Park on selected dates during the Paralympic Games period from September 6 to 17, 2008. Those who may not have the chance to attend the Games in Beijing in person will be able to share the Olympic atmosphere by watching the live broadcasts of sporting competitions on giant screens installed at the sites.
The visit is organised by BOCOG. Members of the delegation include Deputy Secretaries for Home Affairs, Mr Donald Tong and Mrs Agnes Allcock, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow, and Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Cynthia Liu.
The delegation will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (February 19).
Ends/Monday, February 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:00
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