The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, today (February 25) continued his inspection visit to Hong Kong. He inspected the city's district governance and met with representatives of different sectors.

     Accompanied by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, Mr Xia inspected the latest situation of district governance in the urban areas. He had morning tea with district personalities at a restaurant in Wong Tai Sin, where he learned about the situation of the local district and interacted and exchanged views with them on local livelihood issues.

     Mr Xia, in the company of Mr Lee and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, then inspected the Sham Shui Po Community Living Room to study first-hand about the progress of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's various targeted poverty alleviation projects. The Sham Shui Po Community Living Room, which commenced operation in December last year, is the first project under the Pilot Programme on Community Living Room. It aims to provide additional living space for sub-divided unit households and is equipped with daily living facilities. Referrals to suitable community services will be made on an as-needed basis in order to improve the quality of life forsub-divided unit households.

     At noon, Mr Xia, accompanied by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, had an engagement session and working lunch with representatives of the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong.

     Afterwards, Mr Xia, accompanied by Mr Lee, had an exchange session with senior representatives of major local media and renowned current affairs commentators.

     Mr Xia will continue his inspection visit to Hong Kong tomorrow (February 26).

                  

     â€‹The 18 Districts' Pledging cum Cheering Team Competition of the 9th Hong Kong Games (HKG) was held at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre today (February 25), marking the readiness of athletes from 18 districts to strive for their best in the Games. The Cheering Team Competition aimed at encouraging members of the public to give active support to the athletes and creating a cheerful atmosphere for the 9th HKG, while showcasing the district characteristics and vitality, as well as promoting a sports culture.

     Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said that the Government is committed to promoting sports development as well as fostering a strong sport culture in the community. In recent years, Hong Kong athletes have achieved remarkable results in international sports events, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's status in the international sporting arena. They also become the role model for young people. The mega sports events stimulate sports atmosphere in the community and raise the public's interest in sports activities. The biennial HKG is a good opportunity for people from different districts to take part in sports competitions and enjoy the atmosphere of major sports event. 

     The inter-district sports competitions of the 9th HKG will commence soon. Athletes from the 18 districts will represent their districts to compete at the Games, enhancing communication and fostering friendship among the 18 districts. Mr Yeung called on members of the public to support the 9th HKG, saying that apart from competing in the Games, they could also watch the Games and cheer on the athletes at the competitions, or join the community participation programmes, to echo the HKG's slogan "Our City, Our Games". 

     Also officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the 9th HKG Organising Committee, Professor Patrick Yung, said that age groups (15 or below, 16 to 17, and 18 or above) will be introduced for individual sports events in the 9th HKG, aiming to let more members of the public, particularly the younger generation, participate. Moreover, several urban sports demonstration competitions, namely breaking, sport climbing and skateboarding, which are popular among young people, will be introduced to boost the vitality of the event.

     Cheerleaders from the 18 districts showcased the uniqueness and vitality of their districts today through their performances combining dancing, cheering and chanting, and competed for the Best Performance Award, the Best Local Characteristics Award and the Highest Popularity Award.

     The Best Performance Award assesses the content, action arrangement and onstage presentation of performers, as well as the skills in movements and overall performance. The Best Local Characteristics Award recognises teams that present the best overall impression, with techniques, costumes and appearance, slogans, music and songs that reflect the characteristics of their districts. Results of the competitions will be announced tonight at 9pm on the dedicated website. The Highest Popularity Award will be given to the team which obtains the most votes from the audience through "one person, one vote", and the result will be announced upon completion of the counting. The winning teams will give performances at the Opening Ceremony of the 9th HKG on April 21. The prizes will be presented at the Closing cum Prize Presentation Ceremony of the 9th HKG on June 9.  

     The HKG is a territory-wide major multi-sport event held biennially with the 18 districts as participating units. Scheduled for April 21 to June 9 this year, the inter-district sports competitions of the 9th HKG will cover eight sports, namely athletics, badminton, 3-on-3 basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. The four events of the sports competitions for people with disabilities include wheelchair 3-on-3 basketball competition, boccia competition and competition of swimming and table tennis for people with intellectual disabilities.

     Other community participation programmes of the HKG will also commence, including the Jockey Club Vitality Run to be held in the morning on March 3 alongside the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin. A carnival will also be held at the Yuen Wo Playground on the event day. Activities included stage performances, game booths on new sports, a sports interactive game zone with a combination of multimedia and virtual reality technology, a photo corner, etc, will be set up at the playground so that participants can enjoy the fun of sports.

     Members of the public can also vote for My Favourite Sporty District and guess the Overall Champion of the 9th HKG. Photography enthusiasts can take pictures of the exciting scenes of sports competitions and activities of the 9th HKG to participate in the Dynamic Moments Photo Contest. Details of the sports competitions and community participation programmes are available on the dedicated website.

     Also officiating at today's ceremony were the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; and the Executive Advisers of the Organising Committee Mr William Tong and Mr David Yip.

     The 9th HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by its Community Sports Committee, with the Home Affairs Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and the relevant National Sports Associations of the sports competitions as co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the major sponsor of the event.

                  

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, at a media session today (February 25):

Reporter: Did Director Xia express any expectations for the Hong Kong Government about the poverty alleviation work? If yes, what are they?

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The Sham Shui Po Community Living Room is a project to showcase the effort by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to tackle poverty in Hong Kong, in particular for those residents living in sub-divided units. The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, is encouraged by what we do to help those in need, because what is available here in the Community Living Room is exactly what those living in poor conditions need, giving them space for gathering; for children, there is a space for them to study and also socialise. What is more important is to provide a shared pantry as well as common areas where they can do laundry and, if necessary, they can have a shower. This is a very concrete measure by the Government. For that, Director Xia fully agrees with what we do and he encourages us to push ahead with our effort and do more to help those in need.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (February 27) to consider three applications for new issue, amendment, transfer and renewal of liquor licences.

     The applications are (not in order of discussion): 

Hong Kong:
—————
PADRE in Central

New Territories:
—————
METROPOLIS CUISINE in Sai Kung
Basic Bistro on Lantau Island

     The board will also consider revocation of the liquor licence of MAJESTY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT in Kowloon City.

     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (February 25) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.