*****************************************************
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, today (January 23) visited a primary school and a hospital to share the Lunar New Year joy with students and sick children there.
Mrs Lau had a tea gathering with a group of ethnic minority and newly arrived children at the school and introduced traditions of celebrating Chinese New Year to them. She then went to a hospital to visit children and youngsters with chronic illnesses, and brought them toys to wish them well.
Mrs Lau first visited a primary school in Western District and met some 20 ethnic minority and newly arrived pupils. Apart from sharing a variety of festive snacks, Mrs Lau also told them some interesting legends and traditions about Chinese New Year. The young audience was most attentive when listening to the legend about the mythical beast "Nian".
To give the students a grasp of traditional Chinese culture and to inspire their creativity, Mrs Lau demonstrated the writing of Chinese New Year blessings on scrolls. Also joining the visit was the Disneyland Ambassador, Mr Law Chi-ho, who shared his experience in pursuing a career in Disneyland and encouraged the students to develop their own interests and talents. The party ended with each child receiving a "lucky bag" containing treasures such as spring scrolls, stationery and confectionery. Mrs Lau also presented the school with copies of the Budget Consultation Comic Book "Tomorrow - Future for Today" so that students in higher grades could learn more about creativity and government policies.
Mrs Lau and the Disneyland Ambassador then proceeded to the paediatric wards of Queen Mary Hospital to visit children and youngsters with chronic illnesses. Bringing them plush toys of Mickey Mouse dressed in a Chinese New Year outfit, Mrs Lau said she hoped they would remain optimistic while coping with treatment in the hospital.
Mrs Lau expressed appreciation towards the hard work of the teaching and medical staff in educating and taking care of the children. She wished everyone a happy and healthy new year.
Ends/Friday, January 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:40
NNNN