On behalf of the Executive Committee and the Co-hosts of the Housing Conference, I wish to thank you all for coming here today, to mark the Opening of the Housing Conference.

I am particularly delighted to be able to express my sincere thanks to the Governor, Mr Chris Patten, for taking time out of his extremely busy schedule, to address us today.

I would also like to thank our Chairman, The Honourable Rosanna WONG Yick Ming, and the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic WONG Shing Wah, for their support and wise counsel rendered to us during the last few months.

We have received excellent support from our co-hosts :

• Hong Kong Institute of Architects
• Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
• Hong Kong Institute of Housing
• Hong Kong Institute of Planners
• Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

I would like to thank them all for their contributions and support to the Conference.

For us to organize a conference of this calibre takes a lot of courage and determination, but the interest and support we received from around the world have been overwhelming. I am particularly thankful for the line-up of speakers, coming from the People's Republic of China, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kenya, Macau, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and many other countries around the world. All our speakers are experts in their own field. During the next few days, you will hear from them their experience in their own countries. We from Hong Kong will like to share our experience with you and learn from you. I hope you will go home with food for thought, and that you have a better understanding of Hong Kong's limitations and how we try to overcome some of them.

We have here today, delegates from over 20 countries, and we all share a common goal - to provide quality housing for our people. Let us learn from each other so that together, we form a solid bond in our endeavour to improve the quality of living.

I am very pleased to welcome so many of our friends from overseas and I hope that apart from attending the conference, you will have time to appreciate the scenery of Hong Kong, and perhaps taste some of our renowned cuisine. We would also like to impress you with our warm friendship and hospitality.

But do also take time to visit the Exhibition Centre in Homantin South, opposite the Housing Authority's Headquarters and some of our public housing projects so that you can see first hand what we, at the Housing Authority, are doing for the people of Hong Kong.

Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, my sincere thanks to you all, and Mr Patten in particular, for the support you have given to this meaningful event.