ENG-1998 — Page 453

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

It also manages three water sports centres (Chong Hing, Tai Mei Tuk and Wong Shek) and three holiday camps (Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, Sai Kung and Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centres). During the year, 57 556 and 342 749 people visited the water sports centres and the holiday camps respectively.

Events across Hong Kong

The Corporate Games, organised for the working population, attracted 9826 participants from 253 industrial and commercial organisations in 18 sports competitions. The Masters Games, held specifically for the 35 and above age group, attracted more than 2 685 participants in 12 competitions.

Regional Council Festival '98

Since 1988, the biennial Regional Council Festival has become a community-wide event and an integral part of the council's work. The slogan of Regional Council Festival 1998 was 'Pledged to Excellent Service'. It was the first Regional Council Festival held after the Handover and the council organised some 100 events featuring different Chinese elements. Events covered included recreation, sports, cultural and arts performances, exhibitions and promotional activities on environmental hygiene. It ran for four months from November 1998 and attracted about one million participants.

Recreational and sports events included a Chinese Vaudeville Show featuring Chinese folk art; a Wushu Spectacular bringing together local and Mainland masters; the International Kite Flying Festival; a Sand Sculpture Competition; and the Communication Carnival allowing participants to explore various ways of communication and transmission through time and space.

Cultural and arts events included the Kirov Ballet and Russian State Chorus from Russia, the Guangzhou Acrobatics Troupe and China Folk Songs Ensemble from China, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France and pop singer Tsai Chin from Taiwan. Four commissioned works were produced by local artists including the City Contemporary Dance Company, Chung Ying Theatre, children songs singers and a galaxy of Cantonese operatic artists. A museum exhibition The Art of Chinese Ceramics from Han to Tang culled from works of art donated by Dr T. T. Tsui attracted approximately 25 000 people.

To promote the theme of healthy living, promotional activities on environmental hygiene were introduced to the public. Events like Towngas Household Hygiene Any Idea Roving Exhibition, Waste Reduction — Plastic Re-cycling Competition and a clean restaurant competition were launched.

Traditional Festival Events

The council staged large-scale festive celebrations with community involvement. Performance and demonstration by top athletes added colour and excitement to events for New Year's Day, Spring Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Reunification of Hong Kong with China Celebrations

To celebrate the first anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR in July 1998, the council organised a variety of recreational and sports activities, including carnival-type events, competitions, an open day for leisure facilities and sport

361