Shanghai-HK car rally revving up

A newly signed sports co-operation agreement between Hong Kong and Shanghai could promote the staging of a car rally between the two cities in the near future, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, said today (May 30).

The Sports Exchange and Co-operation Agreement was signed in Shanghai by Dr Ho and the Director of the Shanghai Sports Bureau, Mr Jin Guoxiang.

Dr Ho and officials of the Shanghai Sports Bureau discussed the Hong Kong Automobile Association's plan to organise a drive by motoring enthusiasts to Shanghai in September to watch the first Formula One race in China.

He also visited the new Shanghai International Circuit and a number of sports training facilities, and exchanged ideas with officials on opportunities for co-operation.

The Secretary for Home Affairs supported the HKAA's planned drive to the Formula One race, and proposed that a Shanghai to Hong Kong rally be organised.

He said such an initiative could strengthen motoring ties between the two cities and could bring tangible benefits not only to Hong Kong and Shanghai, but to cities along the route.

Both Dr Ho and Mr Jin believed the sports exchange and co-operation agreement between Hong Kong and Shanghai would help raise the standard of sports and enable the industry to flourish.

The main contents of the agreement include:

* increased contacts and more frequent visits between sports leaders in both cities;

* improved co-operation between sports teams, clubs, coaches, sports medicine and sports science organisations;

* both cities competing in each other's high-level sports games; and

* increased exchange and co-operation among members of the industry.

"Hong Kong will be hosting the 2009 East Asian Games. We have a lot to learn from Shanghai in organising large scale sporting events and elite athletic training, given their rich experience and success in these areas," Dr Ho said.

Also attending the signing ceremony was the head coach of Hong Kong's cycling team, Mr Shen Jin-kang, who originally came from Shanghai.

Ends/Sunday, May 30, 2004