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This was the fourth technical meeting of this kind. Commenting on the talks, the Refugee Coordinator, Mr Brian Bresnihan, said that he was pleased with the
outcome.
"The repatriation of VMs from Hong Kong is difficult for both sides. We have received enormous co-operation from the Vietnamese authorities over the years in resolving this problem.
"The talks today brought us one step nearer the end of this long drawn out saga," he said.
End
Government committed to promoting sports excellence
Hong Kong's notable successes in international sporting events have inspired the Government to work even harder to promote sports excellence in the territory, the Secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport, Mr Chau Tak-hay, said today (Thursday).
The outstanding achievements had reflected the often unnoticed efforts of bodies such as the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, the Sports Development Board, the Sports Institute and individual sports associations, he said.
Presenting the policy commitments of the Branch at the Recreation and Culture Panel of the Legislative Council, Mr Chau said the immediate task was to prepare young sportsmen and sportswomen for the East Asian Games in May 1997 and to continue to develop rising athletes to compete at the highest international standards.
"To this end, we shall be assisting the Sports Development Board to implement its five-year plan, as well as continuing to promote the Hong Kong Athletes Fund," he said.
Mr Chau told the Panel that the Government had increased subvention to the Outward Bound School to enable under-privileged youngsters to participate in courses it organised.
Turning to heritage. Mr Chau pledged to continue to work closely with the Antiquities Advisory Board on establishing new heritage trails in Central and Western and Kam Tin districts, and in protecting buildings and sites of historic importance by declaring them as historical monuments.