Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung today attended a “Read Together for Half an Hour” activity at the Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL) to encourage the public to read more and foster a reading a habit.

The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) held “Read Together for Half an Hour” activities at the HKCL and various Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) venues on the first Hong Kong Reading for All Day.

Attending the event today, Mr Yeung read with students participating in the Hong Kong Inter-school Chinese Reading Contest a book from the contest's book list.

Through the book's lively introduction of the Dunhuang murals and the Silk Road, he encouraged the students to further explore and appreciate the values and attitudes in Chinese culture.

Mr Yeung pointed out that reading was not bound by time nor location and once people pick up a book or a chapter they like, they can enjoy the journey themselves. He also encouraged people to make reading a habit.

The LCSD also set up various reading locations today at a number of its venues, including the Oil Street Art Space in North Point, the Kowloon Park Arcade and selected libraries.

People participating in “Read Together for Half an Hour” activities at the reading locations in selected public libraries were given souvenirs.

The Education Bureau today also held joint secondary and primary school 30-minute reading activities to enhance the reading ambience on campus, with more than 220 schools joining the activities.

“Read Together for Half an Hour” was also held at the Hong Kong Reading+ carnival at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin.

In addition, starting from today, the maximum number of borrowed library items of the HKPL has been raised from eight to 10.

Click here for other Hong Kong Reading Week events.