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Following is a speech by Postmaster General, Mr P C Luk, at the "Everlasting Friendship" Letter Writing Awards Ceremony

today (October 6):

Good morning Miss Yeung, ladies and gentlemen and winners.

Thank you for joining us at the awards presentation ceremony of the "Everlasting Friendship" Letter Writing Competition organized by Hongkong Post.

The second "Everlasting Friendship" Letter Writing Competition has successfully concluded with the kind support from Miss Miriam YEUNG, Young Post of South China Morning Post, Ming Pao Daily News and Education Department as well as the generous sponsorship from the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Commercial Press (HK) Ltd. and Mrs. Fields. The competition was organized in support to the Universal Postal Union's (UPU) 30th International Letter Writing Competition for Young People 2001. We have taken this opportunity to encourage youngsters to practise their language skill through letter writing while fostering everlasting friendship. Though application of information technology has become a way of life, I believe the media is the message. A personal letter warms your heart more than an e-mail message.

It gives me great pleasure, therefore, to tell you that we have keen participation from 440 primary and secondary schools and over 2,000 entries were received from our young writers. The winning letters are selected and now displayed here. If you have read these writings, you would certainly agree with me that they are just impressive. May I as well take this opportunity to express my heartiest thanks to the panel of judges for their valuable contribution and hard work.

We are also launching the Free Post Day on 9 October as one of our 160th Anniversary celebration activities while in support of the World Post Day 2001 of the UPU. By launching this activity, we encourage youngsters to communicate by mail and promote the important role of postal services in the worldwide communication network. More than 370 schools have participated by the deadline for enrollment. The number of specially designed lettergrams sent out amounts to 100,000. Students can send them to both local and overseas addresses free of charge on the Free Post Day on 9 October.

Last of all, may I extend my best congratulations to winners in the two groups. I hope you will continue your effort in mastering your writing skills. I can assure you that good command of language is a stepping stone for future success.

Thank you.

End/Saturday, October 6, 2001

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