ENG-1999 — Page 447

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

People's Republic of China. To complement the exhibition, a seminar on the cultural affinity of Hong Kong's heritage with the Mainland was held on September 25. A delegation from

from the National Administration for Cultural Heritage and representatives from museums, archaeological and cultural institutions in the Mainland participated in the seminar and exchanged views with local scholars and experts in heritage conservation and related fields. A travelling exhibition entitled Profiles of the History of Yau Tsim Mong was jointly organised with the Yau Tsim Mong Provisional District Board from September 16 to October 6 to introduce the heritage of the district.

Under the sponsorship of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Central and Western Heritage Trail is being established in phases to show the early urban development of Hong Kong. The first phase, covering the Central district, was well received by the public. The second phase, covering the Sheung Wan district, was successfully launched on July 31.

Covering 10 historical buildings, structures and sites of various types, the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail in Fanling was opened on December 4.

The AMO organised study tours for primary and secondary school teachers, and it also promoted the participation of young people in archaeological workshops, field studies and lectures. Heritage tours and lectures were regularly arranged by the AMO so that members of the public could appreciate historical architecture and recent archaeological discoveries.

To increase the community's commitment in heritage conservation work, the AMO launched a Friends of Heritage scheme to recruit interested people to undertake voluntary work for the office. In view of the encouraging support from founding members, a second batch of volunteers was enrolled in mid-1999.

An international conference on heritage and tourism, jointly organised by the Antiquities Advisory Board, the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust and the AMO, was held from December 13 to 15. The conference, entitled Heritage and Tourism, provided a forum for international experts to exchange views and share their experience in heritage tourism. It also served to highlight the close relationship between heritage and tourism.

Lord Wilson Heritage Trust

During the year, the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust sponsored a total of 11 heritage related projects and researches. The trust jointly organised with the Antiquities Advisory Board and the AMO an international conference in December to promote heritage and tourism. Financial support was also given for the reproduction of educational aids on local heritage for loan to schools and educational institutions.

Sport and Recreation

A growing number of Hong Kong people enjoy a varied selection of sports and recreational facilities and activities. The Provisional Urban and Regional Councils developed and managed facilities such as sports grounds, playgrounds, indoor sports halls, holiday camps, swimming pools and beaches. The two councils also organised training courses, sporting competitions and other activities for people of all ages and abilities, and encouraged passive recreation by providing parks and landscaped open spaces.

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