The Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, visited Kowloon City today (September 29) to meet with local residents and District Council members and toured service organisations and government facilities to learn more about the latest developments and community services in the district.

     Accompanied by the District Officer (Kowloon City), Mr Franco Kwok, Mr Chan first met with members of the Kowloon City District Council to exchange views with them on issues of concern to residents.

     Mr Chan then visited the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association Jockey Club Oi Man Centre. He received a briefing from centre staff on the support services for the elderly and toured the Jockey Club Life Journey Centre. The Senior Citizen Home Safety Association Jockey Club Oi Man Centre comprises three sections, namely the Jockey Club Life Journey Centre, a 24-hour call centre and the Jockey Club Silver Age Centre. Featuring an innovative and interactive design, the Life Journey Centre enables youngsters to experience a life journey in 60 minutes, giving them inspiration and encouraging them to show more care and respect to the elderly, thereby fostering inter-generational harmony.

     Mr Chan then proceeded to the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Kowloon City Children and Youth Integrated Service Centre - Jockey Club Youth Express and was briefed by the staff on the Centre's diversified activities and services for the youth. He also chatted with primary school students attending activities at the Centre to better understand the community services they need. The Centre aims to create a support network, promote care in the community and encourage harmony among different groups. Adopting a family-based approach, the Centre has been providing services for different groups in Kowloon City District.

     Mr Chan also visited Trade and Industry Tower in the Kai Tak Development Area. Together with the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Ms Salina Yan, Mr Chan received a briefing from the Head of the Kai Tak Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, Ms Ying Fun-fong, on Kai Tak's latest developments. Commissioned last year, Trade and Industry Tower is the first government office building completed in the Kai Tak Development Area and features a community hall for use by residents. With a green and energy-saving design concept, the Tower has received a number of awards, including the Grand Award of the Green Building Award and the BEAM Plus Platinum rating, the highest rating, under the Building Environmental Assessment Method in 2014. It was also commended by the US Green Building Council.

Ends/Thursday, September 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:48

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