The Home Affairs Department, Hong Kong Commerce, Industry and Professionals Association (HKCIPA) and Visa have jointly organised the “Hong Kong 18 Districts Paint Together for Olympics with Visa” to welcome the Beijing 2008 Olympics. An unveiling ceremony of an 8x100 feet wall painting is held today (April 13) at Park Lane Shoppers’ Boulevard, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

    Officiating at the unveiling ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, said that as it was Chinese people’s long-time wish to host the Olympic Games, the Hong Kong SAR government would be serious and responsible to ensure the Olympic torch relay and the equestrian events in Hong Kong a success and that the whole community could share the country’s joy in hosting the Olympics. 

    Mr Tsang added that to promote the Olympic spirit, the authorities would together with various organisations launch a series of Olympic-related activities for the public.

    He said the "Hong Kong 18 Districts Paint Together for Olympics with Visa" was an activity which represented the concerted efforts by the business sector, the government and the community forces in providing events that blended the Olympics with art.

    He expressed his gratitude to the Hong Kong Commerce, Industry and Professionals Association and Visa for their support in staging the wall painting activity. He also thanked the young people for taking part in it.

    While noting that similar wall paintings would soon be displayed in the 18 districts, Mr Tsang appealed to the public for their full and continual support for other celebration activities.

    “Hong Kong 18 Districts Paint Together for Olympics with Visa' Painting Day was held yesterday at the Kowloon Park Piazza.  Several hundreds students, parents and representatives from different organisations joined hands in drawing a large wall painting which will be displayed at Park Lane Shoppers’ Boulevard until the end of this year. The design of the wall painting is based on the winning entries of a drawing competition held earlier.” 

    Other officiating guests included the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan; President of the Sports Federation &Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok; Principal Chairman of the Organising Committee of the activity, Dr David Chu (HKCIPA); Chairmen of the Organising Committee of the activity, Dr Stephen Tai (HKCIPA) and Mr Peter Pang (HKCIPA); and Vice-chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr James Dixon (Country Manager, Hong Kong and Macao, Visa).