Hong Kong Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan Sunday called on the public to join forces with the government in cleaning operation and maintaining environmental hygiene to prevent diseases.
   
To welcome the Year of the Rooster with a clean environment, cleaning operations have been taking place in the 18 districts since last week.
   
Participating in one of these cleaning activities in the Central and Western district this afternoon, Tan cheered volunteers as they carried out cleaning work in a tenement building. She also helped distribute cleaning materials to the residents living nearby.
   
Tan expressed her gratitude to some 5,000 volunteers, including district councilors, District Clean Hong Kong Committee members, district hygiene squads and Mutual Aid Committee members, for their ardent support in the year-end clean-ups.
   
With the approach of the Lunar New Year holidays, Tan reminded the public to observe personal and environmental hygiene, especially those staying in Hong Kong and intending to visit the Lunar New Year Fair and fireworks displays.
   
"Only with concerted efforts across various sectors in our community could we enjoy a cleaner environment in the new year," Tan said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2005)