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The Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, visited Eastern District today (January 22) to get an update on the latest developments in the district.
Accompanied by the Eastern District Officer, Mr Herman Cho, Dr Liao first visited the Causeway Bay Kaifong Welfare Advancement Association in Hing Fat Street, where she toured the facilities including kindergarten, elderly activity centre and multi-purpose function rooms.
Dr Liao was briefed by the chairman, Mr Shum Choi-sang, on the history, facilities and services of the association.
Dr Liao then went to Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, where beautification works have been carried out under the Urban Minor Works Programme of the Home Affairs Department.
Shau Kei Wan Main Street East is one of the oldest streets in the district and is part of the Eastern District Tourist Trail. It has a number of spots of historical and cultural significance including some old Chinese temples, such as the Tin Hau Temple and Shing Wong Temple, church, old restaurants and groceries.
To attract more visitors to the Tourist Trail, funding has been sought under the Urban Minor Works Programme to conduct some beautification works on the Tourist Trail, including new pavements and railings, and addition of planter boxes. The whole beautification works are expected to be completed next month.
Dr Liao called into shops and chatted with the operators about their living and listened to their views on the environment.
She then moved on to the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence which is converted from a 100-year-old Lei Yue Mun fort. There she was joined by the Chairman of the Eastern District Council, Ms Ting Yuk-chee, to tour the exhibits and the Historical Trail that has preserved different military structures of the past including the ditch, artillery barracks, batteries and underground magazines.
Dr Liao was briefed by the museum staff on the conservation work done to preserve the exhibits and the various historical structures.
Dr Liao's visit today is one of the regular Principal Official's district visits to get to know more about district affairs and developments.
Ends/Monday, January 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:32
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