The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited Yau Tsim Mong District this afternoon (September 28).

     Mr Lau first visited the head office of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) to learn about its work on heritage preservation. The AMO head office is located at the former Kowloon British School. Built in 1902 and being the oldest surviving school building constructed for the children of foreign residents in Hong Kong, the building was declared a monument in July 1991.

     Mr Lau then proceeded to the worksite of the West Kowloon Government Offices at Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, and was briefed on its construction progress by representatives of the Architectural Services Department and the Government Property Agency. Comprising a North Block and a South Block, the West Kowloon Government Offices are expected to be completed by early next year and will be used for reprovisioning some government offices in the Wan Chai Government Offices Complex and some leased premises in other districts. Adopting a green design, the building has various energy-saving and renewable energy facilities. There will also be greening on the rooftop and external walls.

     After that, Mr Lau went to the Hong Kong Playground Association's Mongkok Integrated Service Centre for Children & Youth to see for himself the services and facilities provided there. He also chatted with youths to learn about their studies, the jobs they are doing and their experiences in starting up businesses. He was glad to see that young entrepreneurs were aspiring to start their own businesses, and appreciated their enthusiasm for life.

     Before concluding the visit, Mr Lau met with members of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council to exchange views on various issues including opening of bank accounts.

Ends/Friday, September 28, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:15

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