Chief Executive John Lee today officiated at the second phase opening-up of Sha Tau Kok launch ceremony as well as visited special attractions in Sha Tau Kok and kicked off a dragon boat performance.

Noting that the second phase opening-up of Sha Tau Kok is a milestone in the long-term development of the district, Mr Lee said at the ceremony that the Government and the Sha Tau Kok Rural Committee identified together the most distinguished characteristics of Sha Tau Kok and created the top 10 attractions, top 10 delicacies and top 10 cultural attractions, which have drawn many tourists since the opening-up on January 1.

He said that from conception, implementation to promotion of the new positioning, the attractions and facilities of Sha Tau Kok are the result of a collaborative endeavour across government bureaus and departments, the district and the industry.

After the launch ceremony, Mr Lee, accompanied by Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung toured the old Sha Tau Kok Fire Station, which still retains its former appearance, and unveiled a century-old firefighting hand cart.

The Chief Executive also visited the Sha Tak Kok Post Office and bought postcards featuring the winning entries of a Sha Tau Kok photo competition. He stamped a postcard with the unique cachets designed by the Security Bureau and mailed it to the bureau's colleagues to thank them for their efforts in promoting the opening-up.

At “Dried Seafood Street” inside Sha Tau Kok Market, Mr Lee chatted with a stall operator who sells Sha Tau Kok local specialties such as dried seafood, rice crackers and steamed sticky rice dumplings to learn more about the stall's business.

Mr Lee viewed scenes of the national intangible cultural heritage “Sha Tau Kok fish-lantern dance” at Fish Lantern Square and spoke to residents. He also was briefed by Mr Tang on the implementation of the current phase of the opening-up and the new facilities.

The Chief Executive then went to Sha Tau Kok Pier to kick off a dragon boat performance.

He was greeted by the beating of drums from four dragon boat teams formed by Police, the Immigration Department, the Customs & Excise Department and the Fire Services Department as well as four dragon boat teams formed by residents of Sha Tau Kok.

Mr Lee sounded the horn to mark the opening of the dragon boat performance in which the eight teams rowed together to the finish line, signifying the joint efforts in promoting the opening-up of Sha Tau Kok.

The daily tourist quota under the second phase opening-up of Sha Tau Kok includes 700 tour group visitors and 300 individual tourists. Tourists can visit all parts of Sha Tau Kok, except Chung Ying Street, from 7am to 9pm.