Recreation, Sport and the Arts 1 369
Committee of Hong Kong, China, and District Sports Associations and schools to promote the concept of 'Sport for All' and to encourage people of all ages and from all walks of life to participate in sports and recreational activities.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games were the first to be held on Chinese soil. Hong Kong had the honour to co-host the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government collaborated with the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games in providing full support in the staging of the equestrian events. The LCSD also staged a series of Olympic related events including the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong, Olympic Live Sites plus free admission to LCSD leisure facilities.
The Environment
The LCSD implements the Government's 'greening' policy by carrying out an extensive programme involving the planting of trees in parks, playgrounds and roadsides. In addition, various educational and community greening activities are organised to strengthen public awareness of the importance of environmentally friendly living.
The Arts
It is the Government's policy to provide an environment conducive to freedom of expression and artistic creation that encourages free participation in all aspects of cultural life. The four major elements of this policy are respect for creative freedom and expression, provision of opportunities for participation, encouragement for diversified and balanced development, and provision of the necessary environment and conditions for the arts and culture to grow in Hong Kong.
Committees
Four committees on the performing arts, museums, libraries and Cantonese opera were established in 2004 to advise the Secretary for Home Affairs on policies. and strategies for the development of arts and culture. The performing arts, museums and libraries committees base their plans for the development of cultural facilities and services on the Culture and Heritage Commission policy recommendations.
Apart from fostering community support and partnership with different sectors, the committees also seek to enhance public interest and understanding in the performing, visual and literary arts.
The Committee on Performing Arts submitted its first recommendation report to the Government in June 2006. All of its recommendations were accepted in principle.
In 2007, the Government implemented the committee's recommendation to put all the major professional performing arts companies under one roof the Home Affairs Bureau and at the same time set up a Funding Committee for the