Page 44 of 233
52
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
Chairman (in Cantonese):--Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 1984 were confirmed.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):--While the Sino-British negotiations go ahead on the territory's future, we, the people of Hong Kong, should continue to work hard to lay a solid foundation for the future, and as far as the Urban Council is concerned, we will continue to improve our services and facilities for the betterment of all.
Providing recreation for the masses is an important part of the development of a healthy society—and not only recreation for the young but for the old, too, since they are the ones who have shaped the Hong Kong we know and so much appreciate today.
Of course, the present younger generation will also play its part in shaping our destiny; nevertheless, this present younger group has much for which to be grateful to our senior citizens who, through hard work, have played a part in creating the success story of Hong Kong, which, through the efforts and acumen of its people, has become a thriving city of commerce and industry, and one of the leading financial and mercantile centres of the world.
And I believe that we are justified in looking to our young to maintain what has been described as 'the enduring miracle' of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong people are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of physical fitness, and recreation has become very much an integral part of modern-day living, as evidenced by the many sports-related activities going on every day.
The Urban Council has been instrumental in providing numerous facilities for passive and active recreation throughout the urban areas, as well as encouraging active participation in various sporting events not only for the young but for the old as well.
Also of course the Council provides financial assistance to various sports associations as a further means of promoting recreational activities. While the Council is not directly involved in the organizational aspects of sports activities, we do encourage sports associations to initiate additional programmes.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 44 of 233
53
Recently, the Council approached various sports associations to enquire whether they were interested in initiating more programmes for our senior citizens.
Also it should be remembered that the Council always bears in mind the needs of our senior citizens when planning recreation projects such as parks, gardens and even playgrounds. In all of these we have built over the years, there are sitting-out areas for the elderly to relax and enjoy the surroundings, or perhaps just have a chat with old friends.
The young people of Hong Kong are highly energetic and active and seem never to tire of the numerous recreation facilities provided for them. Again, in this area, the Urban Council has played a large role not only in providing the facilities but also in supporting various sports associations in their activities.
The United Nations has named 1985 as International Youth Year, with the theme 'Participation, Development, Peace', and in response to this the Urban Council set up an Ad-Hoc Committee last February to co-ordinate the Council's participation in this International Youth Year and to liaise with the Government's Central Co-ordinating Committee which will co-ordinate the various activities to be held in Hong Kong to mark the celebrations.
A number of possibilities have been discussed on ways in which the Urban Council can play a gainful role in the celebrations, and the suggestions include the idea that some of our existing programmes should be geared towards the themes of the International Youth Year.
The Council's role will always be to take part in projects that are beneficial to the community, and so, speaking on a broad front, as we look to the future, the Council will continue to strive for the improvement of services and facilities, but most importantly we will endeavour to maintain and where possible upgrade the high standard of living that the people of Hong Kong have worked so hard to attain.
This is my vision of the future for Hong Kong people well beyond 1997, and I sincerely hope that you will join with me in making this vision of our future come true.
Finally, may I quote a stanza from a poem by Oliver Wendell HOLMES which seems as apt today as when it was first written many years ago:
'Open wide, ye gates of gold, To the Dragon's banner-fold! Builders of the mighty wall,
Bid your mountain barriers fall! So may the girdle of the sun Bind the East and West in one.'
Page 44 of 233
Page 44 of 233
52
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
Chairman (in Cantonese):--Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to
order.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 1984 were confirmed.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):--While the Sino-British negotiations go ahead on the territory's future, we, the people of Hong Kong, should continue to work hard to lay a solid foundation for the future, and as far as the Urban Council is concerned, we will continue to improve our services and facilities for the betterment of all.
Providing recreation for the masses is an important part of the development of a healthy society—and not only recreation for the young but for the old, too, since they are the ones who have shaped the Hong Kong we know and so much appreciate today.
Of course, the present younger generation will also play its part in shaping our destiny; nevertheless, this present younger group has much for which to be grateful to our senior citizens who, through hard work, have played a part in creating the success story of Hong Kong, which, through the efforts and acumen of its people, has become a thriving city of commerce and industry, and one of the leading financial and mercantile centres of the world.
And I believe that we are justified in looking to our young to maintain what has been described as 'the enduring miracle' of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong people are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of physical fitness, and recreation has become very much an integral part of modern-day living, as evidenced by the many sports-related activities going on every day.
The Urban Council has been instrumental in providing numerous facilities for passive and active recreation throughout the urban areas, as well as encouraging active participation in various sporting events not only for the young but for the old as well.
Also of course the Council provides financial assistance to various sports associations as a further means of promoting recreational activities. While the Council is not directly involved in the organizational aspects of sports activities, we do encourage sports associations to initiate additional programmes.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 44 of 233
53
Recently, the Council approached various sports associations to enquire whether they were interested in initiating more programmes for our senior
citizens.
Also it should be remembered that the Council always bears in mind the needs of our senior citizens when planning recreation projects such as parks, gardens and even playgrounds. In all of these we have built over the years, there are sitting-out areas for the elderly to relax and enjoy the surroundings, or perhaps just have a chat with old friends.
The young people of Hong Kong are highly energetic and active and seem never to tire of the numerous recreation facilities provided for them. Again, in this area, the Urban Council has played a large role not only in providing the facilities but also in supporting various sports associations in their activities.
The United Nations has named 1985 as International Youth Year, with the theme 'Participation, Development, Peace', and in response to this the Urban Council set up an Ad-Hoc Committee last February to co-ordinate the Council's participation in this International Youth Year and to liaise with the Government's Central Co-ordinating Committee which will co-ordinate the various activities to be held in Hong Kong to mark the celebrations.
A number of possibilities have been discussed on ways in which the Urban Council can play a gainful role in the celebrations, and the suggestions include the idea that some of our existing programmes should be geared towards the themes of the International Youth Year.
The Council's role will always be to take part in projects that are beneficial to the community, and so, speaking on a broad front, as we look to the future, the Council will continue to strive for the improvement of services and facilities, but most importantly we will endeavour to maintain and where possible upgrade the high standard of living that the people of Hong Kong have worked so hard to attain.
This is my vision of the future for Hong Kong people well beyond 1997, and I sincerely hope that you will join with me in making this vision of our future
come true.
Finally, may I quote a stanza from a poem by Oliver Wendell HOLMES which seems as apt today as when it was first written many years ago:
'Open wide, ye gates of gold, To the Dragon's banner-fold! Builders of the mighty wall,
Bid your mountain barriers fall! So may the girdle of the sun Bind the East and West in one,"
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